Day 7: Pews and Trenches

Happy Father's Day! We loved the worship service at Colonial Presbyterian this morning. The congregation was incredibly warm and welcoming. And aside from the distraction of the gentleman in front of us who clipped his nails throughout the sermon (!), the morning was renewing...just what our spirits needed.

Following a delicious lunch in a fun "riverwalk" area of Kansas City (we want to come back sometime and explore it), we drove into the heart of downtown to the Liberty tower and National World War I museum. It's possibly the best hands-on, technology-utilizing (and tech-friendly!) museum we've ever experienced. From life-size models of trenches and bomb craters to an amazing collection of cannons, weapons and troop unit memoribilia, it was an engaging place that illustrated the vast complexities of World War I. Kelsey really enjoyed the documentaries and other film pieces that complemented the exhibits; Kendall's favorite element was a video table that was controlled by infra-red pens. (She kept trying to find Disney Channel on one of the screens!)

The trench warfare of WWI was beyond our imagining...mud and death were inescapable--and often related. The Western Front trenches covered a length of France equal to 475 miles and created a stalemate for nearly three years. What we now call PTSD was rampant..."shell-shock" is how they referred to it, and there was no treatment or therapy. Air combat had its beginning then, too. Years later, the Snoopy "Red Baron" character was based on the WWI Flying Aces of Britain and Germany. America entered the war reluctantly; the final straw was an intercepted message from Germany to Mexico, guaranteeing the return of Texas, Arizona and New Mexico to Mexican control if that country would engage the U.S. in war and distract us from the war in Europe. The egomaniacs in control at that time were unbelievable!

On a lighter note, we believe there's a fertility additive in the water here; everywhere we look, there are countless infants, toddlers and pregnant women. (Good thing we're "immunized"!) We've enjoyed Kansas City's youth and energy, and have found the people to be very friendly. We won't talk about the scary, stormy nights!

The 22-story Liberty Tower at the Museum complex. Notice Stan at the base.

The tower's observation deck. Mom and Mom, you would have hated it!