The Battle For Normandy

The next big project with Dan K. is to be GMT's The Battle For Normandy.  We are going right into the campaign game as soon as I finish clipping 100,000 counters.

Is this how armies are made?

Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall - Chicago Cultural Center

Location: Chicago Cultural Center - Chicago, Illinois

Features: Large marble hall with Renaissance pattern glass rotunda.  Mosaic floors and mahogany doors that feature the names of the major American Civil War battles.

History:  The Chicago Cultural Center was originally built in 1897 as the city's primary library and meeting hall for the Grand Army of the Republic.  The GAR was a fraternal organization of Civil War veteran founded in Decatur, Illinois in 1866.  The GAR donated the land to build this Chicago landmark with the purpose of housing the GAR meeting hall and memorial.  The other rooms of the building feature a variety of beautiful neoclassical architectural designs.  Today the Center serves as a multipurpose forum hosting local events, art galleries, music and film exhibitions, and lectures.

Traveler's Notes: I attended a recent business related awards ceremony that was hosted in the GAR Memorial Hall.  Being there a little bit early gave me the opportunity to take some pictures.  Perhaps more of an architectural history destination, it is certainly worth exploring the amazing decor of this Chicago institution.

Resources: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_culturalcenter-generalinformation.html; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Cultural_Center

Red Barricades Campaign Game

Things have been quiet here on the blog as of late as I have been concentrating on a Red Barricades Campaign Game III.  Yes, the big one, played out on VASL with John H.  It has taken us the better part of a year to finally come to a conclusion with the Germans pushing the Russians off the map.  I made a simple video showing the daily situation from beginning to end.  Sorry guys, it's not very sophisticated...no sound or fancy graphics.  We are thinking of going Valor of the Guards next so I might record the game with the idea of doing a more complex video report.

The Lexington Minuteman

Location: Lexington, Massachusetts

Features: Monument on the Lexington Green

History: The date of this post, April 19, marks the 239th anniversary of the first battles of the American Revolution.  The opening shots came at dawn on the Lexington Green as the British Regulars confronted the assembled militia.  The monument is said to be a likeness of Captain John Parker, leader of the local militia.

Traveler's Notes: This is the starting point of the Lexington to Concord route that is simply filled with historical sites from early Americana.  In October 2013, I marched the distance from Lexington to the Old North Bridge in Concord, following the path of the British column.  I stopped along the way to record as many of the attractions as time allowed. These to be featured in future posts.

Resources: Battles_of_Lexington_and_Concord, John_Parker_(captain)

PAASL February 2014

Saturday night was the latest PAASL meeting hosted by Dave Kleinschmidt.  Five brave souls faced another round of Winter 2014 as we made our way to the NW suburbs.  I matched up with Tom B. for J139 Light Aid Detached.  This is an interesting scenario featuring partisans attempting to hold off a mixed German column.  The partisans must buy time for a small British repair crew to hastily man a pair of vehicles in defense of their undermanned facility.  Also in attendance was newcomer Eric O. who matched wits with Mark W.  in a small scenario from Valor of the Guards.

Flying Colors - Minorca

This week Dan K. and I took to the seas with GMT's Flying Colors.  We started with Minorca, a naval battle between Britain and France during the Seven Years' War.  The British closed the gap on the French line quickly and powerful broadsides were exchanged.  A lucky shot killed the French Admiral on turn 4 quickly followed by an unlucky roll which broke the French fleet.

Britain has the wind gauge.

Ramillies fires on the Foudroyant - the Marquis is lost!

U.S.S. Lexington Memorial

Location: Lexington, Massachusetts

Features: Series of monuments with plaques each representing one of the United States naval ships named "Lexington."

History: In honor of its place as the location of the start of the American Revolution, Lexington has given its name to several warships of the United States Navy.  The monuments here detail the exploits of these five ships:
-16 gun brigantine of the Revolutionary War era
-18 gun sloop-of-war seeing action during the 19th century including use during the Mexican War and sailing with Perry on his expedition to open Japan
-river gunboat of the American Civil War
-CV-2 "Lady Lex" Aircraft Carrier of the Battle of Coral Sea fame during World War II
-CV-16 "Blue Ghost" Aircraft Carrier of World War II

Traveler's Notes:  The U.S.S. Lexington Memorial stands out as a moving tribute to the legacy of these ships and the men who served aboard them.  Located nearby is a Visitors Center with additional information. Unfortunately it was closed at the time of my visit due to the late hour.

Resources:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Lexington_(CV-2), en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Lexington_(CV-16)

16 Gun Brigantine

18 Gun Sloop

River Gunboat

CV-2 "Lady Lex"

CV-16 "Blue Ghost"