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The 2008 Reunion of the USS Colonial LSD-18 Association was held in Kansas City MO, and it was a great time! Here are some of the highlights:
Despite a bit of rain and a "weather warning" that sent us to the basement tornado shelter for a short time, we enjoyed very interesting outings to experience some of the local historical offerings. The accommodations and staff at the Marriott Kansas City Airport helped to make the stay a pleasant and memorable one. We highly recommend it for any military reunion groups that are planning a visit to that area.
The National World War I Museum has a fascinating display depicting all aspects of the great war: the ideological conflicts that drove the nations to battle; the politics that eventually engaged the US; the technology that was developed and employed by the combatting nations; and how the allies achieved the final victory.
During the great Westward expansion, Kansas City was the gateway to the frontier. Union Station serves up a very interesting bit of history about the era in the magnificent structure itself, the gigantic model train construction, the shops and, of course the historic Harvey House. The station at one time saw as many as 260 trains per day, taking supplies and passengers in and out of Kansas City. The Harvey House was the first of what was to become a chain of "fast food" restaurants along the route of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.
The Truman Library and Museum gives insight into the rise of President Truman, his connections to the powerful Kansas City political machine, his legacy in the participation of the US in World War II (including his decision to use the first atomic bomb), and his retirement years.
Lamar Hunt's "Subtropolis" is a 55 million square foot cave, carved into a limestone cliff along the Missouri River. It has an intricate layout of about 7 miles of paved "streets" and 2.5 miles of railroad track to provide access for about 50 national and international businesses. The structural integrity is maintained by the "room and pillar" method of mining that leaves 25-ft square limestone pillars spaced 40 feet apart throughout the interior of the excavation. The environment provides a year-round constant temperature of about 68 degrees Fahrenheit with low relative humidity.
The Steamboat Arabia was a 171-footer that plied the waters of the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in the mid 1800s, hauling passengers and cargo around the developing areas of the country. In August 1856, after loading with goods and materials to supply the northern states for the coming winter, it struck a submerged walnut tree and sank. The ship was rapidly swallowed up by the mud and water of the Missouri, which preserved the ship and its cargo until it was uncovered in 1988. The story of the sinking, the subsequent natural re-routing of the Missouri, the discovery by the Hawley brothers and Jerry Mackey, and the decision on their part to offer their discovery to the public is all recounted at the Steamboat Arabia Museum, along with thousands of artifacts recovered from the vessel and preserved.
Downtown, the newly-completed Sprint Center, Municipal Auditorium and City Power & Light District are a spectacular display of architectural variety and creativity. Dining and entertainment are there in abundance; some of us enjoyed a real Kansas City Barbeque at Famous Dave's and we all had a look at the entertainment pavilion across from the new Stadium.
Despite a bit of rain and a "weather warning" that sent us to the basement tornado shelter for a short time, we enjoyed very interesting outings to experience some of the local historical offerings. The accommodations and staff at the Marriott Kansas City Airport helped to make the stay a pleasant and memorable one. We highly recommend it for any military reunion groups that are planning a visit to that area.
The National World War I Museum has a fascinating display depicting all aspects of the great war: the ideological conflicts that drove the nations to battle; the politics that eventually engaged the US; the technology that was developed and employed by the combatting nations; and how the allies achieved the final victory.
During the great Westward expansion, Kansas City was the gateway to the frontier. Union Station serves up a very interesting bit of history about the era in the magnificent structure itself, the gigantic model train construction, the shops and, of course the historic Harvey House. The station at one time saw as many as 260 trains per day, taking supplies and passengers in and out of Kansas City. The Harvey House was the first of what was to become a chain of "fast food" restaurants along the route of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.
The Truman Library and Museum gives insight into the rise of President Truman, his connections to the powerful Kansas City political machine, his legacy in the participation of the US in World War II (including his decision to use the first atomic bomb), and his retirement years.
Lamar Hunt's "Subtropolis" is a 55 million square foot cave, carved into a limestone cliff along the Missouri River. It has an intricate layout of about 7 miles of paved "streets" and 2.5 miles of railroad track to provide access for about 50 national and international businesses. The structural integrity is maintained by the "room and pillar" method of mining that leaves 25-ft square limestone pillars spaced 40 feet apart throughout the interior of the excavation. The environment provides a year-round constant temperature of about 68 degrees Fahrenheit with low relative humidity.
The Steamboat Arabia was a 171-footer that plied the waters of the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in the mid 1800s, hauling passengers and cargo around the developing areas of the country. In August 1856, after loading with goods and materials to supply the northern states for the coming winter, it struck a submerged walnut tree and sank. The ship was rapidly swallowed up by the mud and water of the Missouri, which preserved the ship and its cargo until it was uncovered in 1988. The story of the sinking, the subsequent natural re-routing of the Missouri, the discovery by the Hawley brothers and Jerry Mackey, and the decision on their part to offer their discovery to the public is all recounted at the Steamboat Arabia Museum, along with thousands of artifacts recovered from the vessel and preserved.
Downtown, the newly-completed Sprint Center, Municipal Auditorium and City Power & Light District are a spectacular display of architectural variety and creativity. Dining and entertainment are there in abundance; some of us enjoyed a real Kansas City Barbeque at Famous Dave's and we all had a look at the entertainment pavilion across from the new Stadium.