I never thought that this is where I’d settle down
I thought I’d die an old man back in my hometown
They gave me this plot of land
Me and some other men, for a job well done
There’s a big White House sits on a hill just up the road
The man inside, he cried the day they brought me home
They folded up a flag and told my Mom and Dad
“We’re proud of your son”
And I’m proud to be on this peaceful piece of property
I’m on sacred ground and I’m in the best of company
I’m thankful for those thankful for the things I’ve done
I can rest in peace
I’m one of the chosen ones
I made it to Arlington
– Trace Adkins
Monday 29 May, 2023
It is Memorial Day: the American equivalent of Anzac Day, though Memorial Day – celebrated on the last Monday in May – was not chosen because it was the day of a battle, unlike Anzac Day. It is a day for honouring those men and women, in many wars and conflicts over the history of the United States of America, who made the ultimate sacrifice by laying down their lives.
I had a walk this morning in the beautiful central Indiana sunshine before we went out for brunch with some of the Myrehn’s and some of the international crew who had come from all over, united by our love of the Indianapolis 500. It really was a fun group. It’s why I’ll never forget the 2023 edition of the race.
Sadly, after brunch it was time to go. Race week seems to fly by every time I’m here, and it’s kind of depressing on Monday morning when you wake up and realise it’s all over for another year. That said, we travelled 9000-odd miles to get to Indianapolis, and it was worth every one of those miles, worth chasing United Airlines to get my suitcase from Australia, and even worth the insane lunch prices in Houston Airport. It’s been a great week, so of course I was sad to go.
On the flip side, going to Chicago always makes me happy, so I was very conflicted! We arrived mid-afternoon and checked into our Airbnb on a quiet, leafy street in the suburb of Glen Ellyn. The house has four bedrooms and we need the extra one this week because my old work colleague Elias, now with the World Bank in Washington D.C., has flown in to hang out with us. As he put it, after years of me telling him how great America is and now nice my friends here are, he wanted to come and check it all out for himself. Come for the Chicago sights, stay for the arm-wrestling contests.
We have a busy and fun week planned whilst Elias is in town, and it started tonight at Mike and Jane’s for our traditional ‘welcome to Chicago’ meal of legendary Giordano’s deep dish pizza – very much iconic Chicagoan food – and for me and Mike, a few tins of Bud Light. We were very warmly welcomed back, especially by Bri, Ava and Liam who made some signs in our honour. It was great to see Jane’s parents Ivana and Frank again.
Honestly, coming back to Chicago is like coming home, and tonight was a great illustration of that fact. We ate too much, drank plenty, talked lots and laughed a tonne. Pretty simple stuff, just hanging out, but it really was fun, and it sets a perfect tone for the next ten or so days here.
kitchtrips 