Majestic Machines in Morning Light: Honoring the Flying Tigers This Memorial Day at England Air Force Base Heritage Park


 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey

This morning, I decided to wake up before the rooster crowed to capture the Memorial Day sunrise over England Air Force Base Heritage Park in Alexandria, Louisiana. The park features many of the jet fighters flown by the pilots of the famed 'Flying Tigers' who were stationed here from the late 1940s until the base closed in 1992. Watching the light gradually illuminate these majestic machines brought to mind the hundreds of service men and women who woke at first light to prepare to fight and die for our country in the skies, on the high seas, and on countless battlefields around the globe.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Discover the Ultimate 80s Playlist That Will Take You Back in Time!

Image
Written By Ken Hulsey.  Over the past few years, I have become a fanatic for creating Spotify playlists. I love to assemble them, break them apart, and rebuild them. My approach to music playlists is similar to George Lucas's philosophy about his movies. He once mentioned that movies are never truly finished, only abandoned. While I’m paraphrasing, I definitely share that mindset. There may not be such a thing as a perfect playlist, but I keep striving to create one.
Read More »

Rediscovering Smith's Landing: The Story of Louisiana's First Train Station and Its Legacy

Image
Today, I want to share the story of the first railroad built in central Louisiana. Known as the Red River Railroad , or sometimes the Ralph Smith Smith Railroad , this was the very first railroad constructed west of the Mississippi River. It was a simple and roughly built line that transported cotton and other goods that were brought in by barges on Bayou Boeuf .   The place where this railroad began is called Smith’s Landing , and the remaining building in the town of Lecompte is recognized as the first train station built west of the Mississippi. The tracks ran from Lecompte to the banks of the Red River in Alexandria , but much of this route has been lost to time. During the Civil War , Union soldiers tore up the tracks to create a levee, and because of that, we don’t know exactly where the railroad used to go. Interestingly, when crews were constructing the old Jefferson Highway that runs between Lecompte and Alexandria, they found some remnants of the Red River Railroad, whi...
Read More »

Unraveling the Mystery of the Ditch Witch: The Terrifying Tale of Love, Loss, and the Unsolved Disappearance in Albuquerque

Image
 Written By: Ken Hulsey As a child growing up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I heard the haunting tale of the Ditch Witch, also known as La Llorona or The Weeping Woman, recounted around campfires and during sleepovers countless times. While the details varied, the core narrative remained the same - a young mother who, scorned by her lover, tragically drowned her own children. Now eternally cursed, the woman's spirit wanders the banks of the Rio Grande, forever lamenting and searching for her lost offspring.
Read More »

Retro Cartoon Rewind | Classic 70s Saturday Morning | Part 1

Image
 If you grew up in the 1970s, you probably have great memories of waking up early on Saturday mornings, watching classic cartoons while enjoying a bowl of Cap'n Crunch. Join me as we take a trip down memory lane and see how many of these beloved cartoons you can recall! Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels (ABC)(1977 - 80) "Captain Caveman and the Teen Angels follows the exciting mystery-solving escapades of the Teen Angels—Brenda, Dee Dee, and Taffy—alongside their prehistoric friend, Captain Caveman (or Cavey). The girls discovered him frozen in a block of ice! This fun series is a playful nod to Charlie's Angels and draws inspiration from other beloved Hanna-Barbera shows like Scooby-Doo and Josie and the Pussycats. Captain Caveman boasts super-strength, an array of handy tools hidden in his hair, and a flying club that helps him tackle crime. His signature battle cry, "Captain CAAAAAVEMAAAAAAANNNN!" is unforgettable, thanks to the iconic voice of Mel Blanc.  
Read More »

Unearthing History: The Remarkable Journey of Locomotive #202 from Logging Workhorse to Hidden Treasure

Image
  The Legacy of Locomotive #202: A Snapshot of Railroad History in Louisiana For railroad history enthusiasts, few stories encapsulate the rich tapestry of early 20th-century logging operations in the United States like that of Locomotive #202. This venerable machine, with its beginnings dating back to 1913, provides a fascinating glimpse into the timber industry’s reliance on rail transport and the technological evolution of locomotives during that era. Locomotive #202 was part of an ambitious order by the Crowell Interests, consisting of twelve distinct locomotives, each crafted to meet the burgeoning needs of the Meridian Lumber Company in Meridian, Louisiana. Designed primarily as a woods engine, #202 was instrumental in transporting timber from the expansive forests to the mill, symbolizing the industrial energy that characterized the American landscape in the early 1900s.
Read More »

Prayer Is An Inspiring Conversation!

Image
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. —Matthew 21:22 Prayer is not merely a ritual or a routine; it is a sacred two-way conversation between our Creator and us. As Christians, we are blessed to have a heavenly Father who not only hears our prayers but actively responds to them. This profound promise from Jesus, “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive,” serves as a powerful reminder of the potency of faith combined with earnest prayer.
Read More »

Experience Serenity and Scenic Beauty at Riverview Park: A Hidden Gem in Shreveport!

Image
 Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey Last week, I stayed overnight in Shreveport for an early-morning meeting in Bossier City. After the meeting, I visited one of my favorite places in Shreveport, Riverview Park, along the majestic Red River. The weather was pleasantly cool for a change, with a lovely layer of fog hanging in the air, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to stretch my legs and take some photos of the area.
Read More »

California Through My Lens - Sunset Over Route 66 - Cajon Pass

Image
Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey  Many travelers who drive out of Los Angeles and Orange County through the Inland Empire and Cajon Pass to all points east, including Las Vegas, on Interstate 15 don't realize that there are several miles of the old Route 66 that still exist a mere hundred or so yards away.  The old highway that once served as the only road through the pass is now only taken by motorists who want to try and avoid traffic congestion due to accidents or weekend travelers trying to get to Sin City or other desert recreation areas. 
Read More »

Fleet of Flying Saucers? The Startling UFO Encounters Over the Nation’s Capital

Image
Just before midnight on Saturday, July 19, 1952, something strange happened at Washington National Airport. Air traffic controller Edward Nugent noticed seven unusual objects on his radar. They were far from any normal flight paths. He jokingly mentioned to his supervisor that it looked like a "fleet of flying saucers." At the same time, two other controllers saw a bright light in the sky that suddenly shot away at an incredible speed.
Read More »