February 8, 2008

Well, it’s time to get back on my horse and hit the trail. Okay, the truth be told it wasn’t a horse. I left Las Vegas on Monday on a private jet, sweet! With Marsha, Mike Sexton, Linda Johnson, Jan Fisher and Mike’s wife Karen also on board we were not 30,000 feet in the air before Linda cracks a deck of cards open looking for some Chinese poker victims. She has to be the best in the world and we all know it but it’s the only game in town and Linda has a tight grip on the deck. Eager to pinch some cards we soon have 13 cards sticking out of our mitts and Linda has a napkin wiping the mouth watering fishy taste from the corner of her lips.

Marsha and I got off to a commanding lead but eventually we all fall victim to Johnson’s expertise. If we quit somewhere over the Grand Canyon we could have won, but alas the flight was too long. That’s how good Linda is at this game, she doesn’t need a “slow boat to China!” A 600 mph jet cross country will do.

It turns out that it was an all night event with a brief stop in Kansas City to refuel. It was nearly midnight when we took off on this flight to Washington D.C. We are hosts for a charity event for the PVA (Paralyzed Veteran’s of America). Such a great charity and the poker event raised nearly $100,000! Richard Petty was also there and it was great to meet as Mike said, “the Michael Jordan” of racing. To open the event I was honored to sing the national anthem in front of so many veterans who have served our country so bravely. Also on hand were friends who have returned from their tour in Iraq. Maj. Pete Dourin and Col. Sandi Dittig who I had come to know over the Internet as they were assisting me on me efforts to visit the troops in Iraq. Unfortunately that hasn’t come to pass yet but perhaps this year. Poker is so popular with the troops over there as it gives them a sense of normalcy while away from home for so long.

The following day Pete was kind enough to show me around Washington. He took me on post at the Arlington National Cemetery and we visited the John C. McKinney Memorial Stables. It is here where they prepare the horse drawn carriages and ceremonies for the burials. I am moved and deeply honored to be here. As we exit the post we stop and I take a picture of the statue of Iwo Jima before the Major drops me at the airport and I head to Long Island for my next stop on the east coast. 

Honor our soldiers who make such great sacrifices so that we may all enjoy the freedoms we so often take for granted.

Kenna James