Last night Bill and I went to the Fort Hays Chuckwagon Supper & Music Variety Show, then we attended the Evening Lighting Ceremony of Mount Rushmore.
The Chuckwagon Supper & Music Variety Show is advertised as “Family-friendly attractions with history! Step back in time at the Fort Hays Old West Town Square. Stroll along the boardwalk and take a free, self-guided tour of the Dances With Wolves film set, and the South Dakota movie museum. Then enjoy a hearty chuckwagon menu, and the most entertaining show in the Black Hills!”
Dances With Wolves is one of both mine, and Bill’s, favorite movies, so we really enjoyed walking all through the set of the Dances With Wolves film set. We saw everything from the Saw Mill,
and the “Enging that was used in the filming of the sawmill scene”,
to the Blacksmith Shop,
and of course, there has to be a Livery. Can’t just let all those horses roam around freely! It was fun getting an up-close look at all the different sets used in the filming of Dances With Wolves.
At 7:00 the dinner bell rang, and we were all ushered into the dining room for a chuckwagon style dinner. Directly after dinner, we were treated to a real Hee Haw, boot stomping, western show! The young cowgirl in the next picture really set that fiddle on fire!
The cowboy in this picture is a preacher by trade, and does the dinner shows in the evenings. He came out with his stick horse, and “10 gallon hat”, singing I’m a Long Tall Texan… Too funny!
After dinner, we made our way to Mount Rushmore for the evening lighting ceremony. The Ranger was asking for five Vets to volunteer for a flag ceremony just before the lighting of the Mountain. Bill volunteered along with four other vets, and Bill was selected to be the group leader of the flag ceremony. Bill was to hold the flag until the appropriate time, then he was to unfold the flag with the assistance of the other four vets.
Once the flag was unfolded, Bill was to step back while the other four vets held the flag open in front of the walkway to the viewing platform of Mount Rushmore.
While the four vets held the flag open, Mount Rushmore was lit up, as the National Anthem played, and we all sang along. BEAUTIFUL ceremony.
At the conclusion of the National Anthem, four vets held the flag while Bill folded it back up and presented it to the Ranger. When the Ranger had the flag in his possession, he saluted Bill, and said he wanted to publicly thank any vets that never received a “welcome home”. Then he asked for a round of applause for all five of the vets that participated in the flag ceremony at Mount Rushmore that evening.
The crowd erupted in applause, and everyone started snapping pictures of the Ranger and his five volunteer vets… Great Job guys!
Another fabulous evening here in South Dakota!
Stay Tuned!
Jun 28, 2019 @ 19:12:05
We did have a fun evening at Fort Hays, that gal on the violin is a concert violinist, you are right she was on fire. 🔥
It was my honor to help with the ceremony at Mount Rushmore, I being the oldest is the reason I was selected to hold and fold the flag.
Jun 29, 2019 @ 11:36:16
I was very proud of you and your part in the flag ceremony. Love you always! XoXo
Jun 28, 2019 @ 19:41:34
The Fort Hays event sounded a little like our old Rawhide! I love that movie too and how cool for you to get see some of the movie props! When I read about the Mount Rushmore lighting it sent chills over me. I would think that had to be so emotional. Wow, and look at MY Bro! Always making me a proud sista. Love you both and thanks for sharing your adventures! ❤️
Jun 29, 2019 @ 11:34:55
Yes, Fort Hays was a lot like Rawhide, and the flag ceremony at Mount Rushmore was very emotional, and even more so because Bill was part of it. I was so proud of him for getting the opportunity to participate in it. Love and hugs. XoXo
Jun 29, 2019 @ 15:12:34
💋❤️
Jun 29, 2019 @ 12:23:06
Hi Girlfriend,
I am in tears. I am so proud of Bill and your story was great. I would have been sobbing at Mount Rushmore. Another great week in SD.
Love you guys and miss you.
Holly
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Jun 29, 2019 @ 13:14:17
Hello Girlfriend, thank you for leaving your comment on my blog. I knew you would be in tears when you read about Bill participating in the flag folding ceremony, and I can only imagine how you would have been if you were actually there, and heard the National Anthem playing as Mount Rushmore was lit up and the flag was being presented for all the people to see… I was very proud of Bill, and thankful that he got the opportunity to participate in the ceremony. A memory maker for sure! Love and miss you. XoXo