Ashe Co Armed Forces Tribute 2008

The 3rd annual Ashe Co Armed Forces Tribute was held this past weekend in Jefferson, NC. As part of the tribute, Mike's brother, Mark, was honored. Rebecca Pepin, author of Faces of Freedom, helped to MC the event. During the program, we were able to contact by satellite members of the Army and Marines who are presently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. People in the audience were encouraged to ask questions and some family members were even able to talk with their soldier.

Booths were set up on the field, along with a Black Hawk helicopter, jeeps from WWII, the Marine band, and a memorial wall. Members of the 82nd Airborne parachuted in during the morning and also during the afternoon. After lunch, the Black Hawk took off from the field and did a "fly by". The entire event honored Veterans and Active Duty soldiers. What a privilege to be a part of this tribute.

1st jump - morning

Marine band

Black Hawk leaving at lunch

Rebecca Pepin with her husband, Derek, Rene' and Phillip, Miriam and Mike
Derek and Rebecca

2nd jump - afternoon




Derek and Rebecca, Miriam and Mike, Blue and Polly at the New River

Mt. Jefferson
Miriam and Blue

This is how we found Polly when we came out of the restaurant after dinner.
at the cabin


Sleepy...

Polly
Blue