This past week I had the opportunity to travel to Hot Springs, AK, and  Opelousas, LA.

 

Various parts of my journey this past week gave me the experience others have not had, traveling outside of Alabama and renewing friendships.

 

My first stop was a fantastic opportunity to stay in the historic district and spend four nights in a landmark hotel (The Arrington Resort and Spa).  Although vintage, the workers all there were very cheerful and helpful.

 

It was like a page out of the norm, whereas everyone I met inside and outside the hotel had positive, welcoming attitudes about their jobs.  The morale was infectious throughout my stay, showing me everything is possible.

 

Hot Springs, AK in 2023 was much different from 100 years ago; everything is possible.

 

Hot Springs has a tourist attraction called Bathhouse Row.  The area is within walking distance from the hotel.  It was a time travel dating back to the early 1900’s.  Service and a smile were part of their success when nine bathhouses were fully operational in their heyday. I received that notion by looking at the pictures displayed.

 

It was also a humbling experience knowing that people of color were not allowed to bathe in them, even though they worked in them.

 

Knowing my history and the history of the United States allows me to see how times have changed after the Jim Crow era (1870 into the 1960s).

 

Jim Crow Laws: Definition, Facts & Timeline | HISTORY

 

Before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, African Americans primarily bathed at bathhouses operated by African Americans.

 

African Americans and the Hot Springs Baths (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

 

The city of Hot Springs continues to preserve a piece of American history through the tourism offered, starting with what the bathhouse used to look like. As well as a the amazing stained glass windows throughout.

 

Not only were the bathhouses part of the services, but the U.S. Army also operated the Veteran Administration (V.A.) Medical Center in that same area.  It was there for the military to treat those suffering from mental health, nutrition, addiction and substance abuse treatment, kidney dialysis, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and for rest and recovery.

 

Today the V.A. medical center is nonoperational, shutting down a few years ago.

 

I would be remised if I did not mention that my Hot Springs Trolley experience was the capstone of the visit, whereas I received the complete history of Hot Springs from someone born and raised in Hot Springs, AK.

 

In all cases, it was service with a smile.

 

I’m inspired that although I’ve retired twice in my career, I was able to have such an amazing experience while getting another history lesson.  It was amazing because I enjoy traveling and witnessing new adventures for the first time signifies that I’m blessed and fortunate.  Seeing how others live is humbling, especially if you have not walked in their shoes.  Every person at the Arrington Resort and Spa made it their mission to ensure my experience was worth returning to each day.

 

Today, as you and I celebrate Memorial Day, it was even more important to me to listen to the war stories and why my Army reunion brought me to Hot Springs, Arkansas, this past weekend.

 

Sadly, there was a couple I met last year during our reunion in Savannah, Georgia, that both the husband and wife passed away since our last reunion.  Death is inevitable and something that will happen to us all.  Unfortunately, I was also saddened to hear that the iconic Tina Turner who I grew up listening to, also passed away this past weekend. (May 24, 2023)

 

How we spend our time must be valued as we serve others.

 

My second stop was an absolute blessing, and I could check off something on my bucket list that I had placed on it over three years ago.  To do that, I needed to go to Opelousas, LA.  It was visiting the Holy Ghost Catholic Church, which became the largest black church in the U.S.

 

The History of Holy Ghost Catholic Church – All one in Christ Jesus | Acadiana Historical

 

I could not have chosen a better weekend to visit the Holy Ghost Catholic Church as this was Pentecost Sunday.  Pentecost day is called the “birth-day” of the Church.

 

Pentecost Sunday – May 28, 2023 – Liturgical Calendar | Catholic Culture

 

I was fortunate and humbled to stay with an excellent friend (A retired soldier) who visited me in Alabama just before the pandemic in 2020.  I was greeted with open arms by his parents, who hosted my stay, just down the road in Church Point, LA.

 

I learned so much history related to Creole and French-speaking individuals.  My only regret was how I wished to speak more French growing up as I listened to the specific dialects as each greeted me.

 

If I could tell my 20-year-old self something, I would have learned more languages than I was taught in school.

 

This second experience amplified “how we spend our time must be valued as we serve others in our lives.”

 

Therefore, the visit’s theme this weekend was service with a smile and even more.  I met at least ten people I had never met, all greeting me with a smile.

 

It’s all about having a people’s first mentality that I have learned to embrace as part of my success in life.

 

I must say that during my visit to Opelousas, LA, there was nothing that I needed, yet before I left to head back home, I had a small cooler of the finest cuts of meats and sausages, homemade cajun boudin sausage as well, to include dressing.  Some call it rice dressing or aka dirty rice, except for me, it was without the rice.  The service with a smile was nothing short of making my list of five things to be grateful for during each visit.  I even had a chance to eat Turtle Stew and homemade Louisiana Crawfish Étouffée.

 

As we celebrate Memorial Day, there is a saying,”All gave some, Some gave all.”

 

The origin of the phrase: “All gave some, Some gave all.” (special-ops.org)

 

In both visits, I was able to be with Veterans who understood the value of the phrase ”All gave some, Some gave all.”

 

Why do we observe Memorial Day? The somber true meaning behind the national holiday (msn.com)

 

As a Combat Veteran and the son of a Combat Veteran, my father told me stories of WWII and Vietnam before he died a few years ago.

 

Although Veteran’s Day and Memorial Day are different, I honor those who decided to serve in the military.

 

Today, although we are not involved in the “Russia-Ukraine war” which is now on day 460 of the invasion. We are not fighting on American soil.

 

You and I have plenty to be thankful for within the United States that we can sleep well at night.

 

Russia-Ukraine war at a glance: what we know on day 460 of the invasion | Russia | The Guardian

 

Having lived and traveled the North and the South, I know what this holiday represents.

 

What is Memorial Day and why do we celebrate it in the US? (usatoday.com)

 

Therefore, it’s with a humble heart that I’m honored on this Memorial Day by serving others with a smile and not a frown.

 

As I pray for those who have recently lost a family member in combat or while serving the military, may they be comforted knowing it was not in vain.

 

“Service to others leads to greatness-Jim Rohn

 

“Every day set the simple goal of trying to be more awake and less distracted.” – Russell Simmons