Destination Guides - Southpoint.com Blog

New New York James Hotel has unique waterfall

The posh 114 room James Hotel in West Manhattan of New York City opens on Wednesday. One of the magnets of the hotel will by a 2nd floor garden with waterfall. From the rooftop bar, one will be able to get an an impressive view of the cityscape. If you stay at the new James Hotel, let us know!
 

Pilsen, Czech Republic town continues to thank American soldiers for liberation

Received this special email. Thanks to Ron Forsythe and Raymond Lingenfelder for forwarding this. I do not know the original writer.
I have a new found love for this small Czech town, and just may have to visit May of next year! Be sure to read to fully appreciate this special place, and email your friends to read.

Have you ever wondered if anyone in Europe remembers America 's sacrifice in World War II?
There is an answer in a small town in the Czech Republic . The town called Pilsen (Plzen). Every five years Plzen conducts the Liberation Celebration of the City of Pilsen in the Czech Republic .
May 6th, 2010 marked the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Pilsen by General George Patton's 3rd Army.
Pilsen is the town that every American should visit. Because they love America and the American Soldier...

even 65 years later...by the thousands

the citizens of Pilsen came to say thank you...

lining the streets of Pilsen for miles.

From large crowds…to quiet reflective moments…

Including this American family's private time to honor and remember their American hero. This is the crash site of Lt. Virgil P. Kirkham, the last recorded American USAAF pilot killed in Europe during WWII. It was Lt. Kirkham's 82nd mission and one that he volunteered to go on. At the time this 20 year old pilot's P-47 Thunderbolt plane was shot down, a young 14 year old Czech girl, Zdenka Sladkova, was so moved by his sacrifice she made a vow to care for him and his memory. For 65 straight years, Zdenka, now 79 years old, took on the responsibility to care for Virgil’s crash site and memorial near her home.

On May 4th she was recognized by the Mayor of Zdenka's home town of Trhanova , Czech Republic , for her sacrifice and extraordinary effort to honor this American hero.

Another chapter in this important story...the Czech people are teaching their children about America's sacrifice for their freedom.

American Soldiers, young and old, are the ''Rock Stars'' these children and their parents want autographs from..Yes, Rock Stars !...
As they patiently waited for his autograph, the respect this little Czech boy and his father have for our troops serving today was heartwarming and inspirational.

The Brian LaViolette Foundation will established The Scholarship of Honor in tribute to General George S. Patton and the American Soldier, past and present.

Each year, a different military hero will be honored in tribute to General Patton's memory and their mission to liberate Europe. This award will be presented to a graduating senior who will be entering the military or a form of community service such as fireman, policeman, teaching or nursing, a cause greater than self. The student will be from one of the five high schools in Pilsen, Czech Republic.
The first award will be presented in May 2011 in honor of Lt. Virgil Kirkham, that young 20 year old P-47 pilot killed 65 years ago in the final days of WWII (see photo above).

Presenting Virgil's award will be someone who knows the true meaning of service and sacrifice... someone who looks a lot like Virgil…

Marion Kirkham, Virgil's brother, who himself served during WWII in the United States Army Air Corps!

In closing...here is what the city of Pilsen thinks of General Patton's grandson. George Patton Waters (another Rock Star!) we're proud to say, serves on Brian's Foundation board.

And it's front page news.. not buried in the middle of the social section..

Brigadier General Miroslav Zizka - 1st Deputy Chief of Staff - Ministry of Defense - Czech Armed Forces.

So please join this amazing journey…

So come visit Pilsen (Plzen) that loves our American soldiers during the next special event the first part of May 2011. Plzen is famous for Pilsner beer, and dates to the 13th century. There is lots to see here, and it may also be a life changing experience for you.

Ask your family and friends to read this as well...every American should hear this story.

Old Soda Fountain in Dallas

During our recent quick trip to Dallas we made a special trip to Highland Park Pharmacy at 3229 Knox just a few blocks from the Hotel Palomar. I love to see it when a soda fountain is still serving up custom sodas like the old days. This corner pharmacy is a great place to get a tasty lunch and soda and get all nostalgic. Serving sodas like days of old, the doors were opened back in 1912. Glad to see it was busy with the lunch crowd. Now owned by local grocery magnets Sonny and Gretchen Minyard Williams, Mr. Williams has been a steady customer since he was a kid and continues on a great tradition of service. When you visit be sure to read about the history of the place that hangs above the soda fountain. We settled on a fudge sundae for dessert. Yummy, and yes they serve cherry Cokes and the original Dublin Dr. Pepper (with pure cane sugar) as well.

Read our new feature on the highly acclaimed Hotel Palomar in Dallas.