Highlights
Tea for Two in London
July 2023 - Despite the great dividers of time and distance - and over the last few years add to these pandemic restrictions - I felt delighted, indeed blessed, to finally meet, on his side of Atlantic, with retired British diplomat the Honorable George Fergusson. While Fergusson's family history is indeed fascinating, including two governors and two governors-general of New Zealand, one of which was his father, the larger-than-life World War II Army commando turned brigadier and later diplomat, Sir Bernard Fergusson (my second son's namesake), George's own personal achievements as well as knowledge of everything from firsthand political challenges in Northern Ireland to watercolor painting is impressive, to say the least. Add to this his unmatched resilience through many adversities and helping other through the same at his various postings, and he is indeed a figure I truly admire. All this in mind, I was more than happy to set down to tea with him one afternoon while in London. Not only am I grateful for our fruitful conversation there in the iconic Imperial War Museum, but also Fergusson's earlier agreeing to pen an "appreciation" intro for the upcoming second edition of my book of original watercolour landscapes, I happily gave to him after our first encounter when he was then Governor of Bermuda. |
Entering the Chamber at Columbus
September 2019 - I am often asked "what is a chaplain?" Most simply put, they are ministers focused on serving a certain group of people. There are, for instance, police and hospital chaplains who serve first responders, patients, and hospital staff. Likewise, there are college and military chaplains who serve students and faculty and people in uniform, respectively. This in mind, as a chaplain in the Air Force, I have taken a special interest in ministering to those specifically in the flying community. This community includes not only pilots, but all aircrew members as well as flight medicine staff. In order to help me to accomplish my goal, I myself had to prepare to fly, and doing so means taking the military's "Physiological & Altitude Chamber Training." This specialized course takes place at a handful of bases in the United States and I did so at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi. Even more special for me, I uniquely got to do my training entirely with a group of allies from the African nation of Kenya. |
Celebrating with the New Zealand Antarctic Society
June 2017 - While literally half the world, that is the Northern Hemisphere, recently pressed further into warmer days and the official start of summer, the other half, that is the Southern Hemisphere, began winter. The continent of Antarctica, however, uniquely did not begin summer or winter, but reached its “Mid-Winter” mark. This occasion has historically been a point of celebration for those select few serving or visiting in the southernmost clime. Chief among organizing such annual celebrations is the New Zealand Antarctic Society. I was honored not only to attended the Wellington Branch of the Society's reception, but also be invited to serve as the keynote speaker of the Auckland Branch's “Mid-Winter Christmas Dinner” hosted this year at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Club. Here my wife and I were able to not only to toast “past and present parties” to the Antarctic, but also meet various men and women from different walks of life all related by their bond to "the ice.” |
Caribbean Commonwealth Tour
July 2015 - Following our honeymoon in the closest Commonwealth north of us, my wife and I visited the closest south - along with its neighbor - as we toured the Commonwealth Realms of the Bahamas and Jamaica. Though I have had the pleasure of visiting the Bahamas twice before it was a true joy to return and renew old friendships as well as show Lindsey many historic and cultural sights as well as enjoy the country's Independence Day celebrations on the 10th of July. From the Bahamas we travelled to the Jamaican capital of Kingston where we were guests of members of the Jamaica Baptist Union. Having not visited before all the sights were new and exciting to us both. Highlights of this voyage included visiting the National Gallery and also King's House, the official residence of the Governor-General, where we were honored with a private audience with His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen, ON GCMG CD KStJ. |
Canada Loses a Companion
July 2013 - It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of one of Canada's foremost modern artists the Hon. David Alexander Colville, PC CC ONS (1920-2013). I had the privilege of being invited to meet Mr. Colville at his Nova Scotia home in November of 2009. As a historian and artist, I found it fascinating to casually interview one of only a handful of the war artists commissioned by the Canadian government during the Second World War who captured with a brush everything from warships on the Mediterranean to the liberation of concentration camps in Germany. Following the war, Mr. Colville gained prominence as a college teacher at his alma mater of Mount Allison University and later as an independent artist preserving ordinary scenes from his maritime home in an extraordinary way. Recognized and respected by art critics as well as heads of state, Mr. Colville designed the 1967 Centennial Coin set used throughout Canada and was later made one of a select few "Companions of the Order of Canada." I was happy to later recall to friends and colleagues: Mr. Colville welcomed me in his home and wished the Lord's blessing on me, and I'm comforted knowing not only the great legacy he leaves behind, but where he will spend eternity. |
The Bahamas Celebrates 40
June 2013 - For over a week in mid-June, I had the pleasure of returning to the Commonwealth of Bahamas where I experienced various facets of the nation's rich history, culture, and wonderful generosity. Presenting at ''The Bahamas at 40' a Social Science Conference hosted by the College of the Bahamas, I also had the pleasure of hearing several notable speakers including the current Prime Minister of the Bahamas the Right Honorable Perry Christie and former Prime Minister of Barbados Owen Arthur. Additionally I was honored to be warmly received at Her Majesty's Royal Bahamas Defence Force Base. June 14th saw a courtesy call with the Commander of the RBDF, the Commodore Roderick Bowe along with senior members of his staff and his Aide-De-Camp Lieutenant (now Commander) Origin Deleveaux who arranged the visit for me. |