To Boston we will go ...

We made a plan to go into Boston on Saturday, 12/19. Megan and Katelyn arranged their work schedules.

There was a big Nor'easter heading up the coast dumping lots of snow. It was supposed to start snowing in Boston on Saturday night. I decided to park at Malden Center just north of Boston and take the subway. I didn't want to be stuck in downtown traffic if the snow started. It was pretty cold and very windy.

I had no experience with the Charlie Card here in Boston so I must have looked like a tourist. There were 7 of us so I bought 14 tickets on the card. It worked well. We took to Orange line to the Red line and got off at Copley Square.

I used to work in Copley Square so it was like old home week for me. The John Hancock building and observatory was closed. We decided to go to the Prudential Observatory and headed that direction.

We arrived and the Prudential observatory was also closed to the public as someone rented to observatory for the day. We went to the "Top of the Hub" restaurant on the 52nd floor and looked around from there.

Next we headed to Newbury Street and walked toward the Boston Common. Stopped at Starbucks for coffee and hot chocolate.


The pond at the common was frozen and had people walking and skating on it. The ice didn't look that thick to me but people seemed to fine with it. Katelyn and Kevin walked and slid on the ice to the bridge.


We continued on our walk to Faneuil Hall. When we arrived there were street dancers performing. They picked Katelyn from the crowd along with 2 others to be part of a trick. One of the people ended up jumping over the three of them.

We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe. We figured the weekend before Christmas would be packed. The blizzard warnings definitely kept people out of the city so there was no waiting.

Dessert at Mikes Pastry was amazing. Megan posed with 2 friends along the way.

We returned to Medford and headed home just before the snow. Boston received 9 inches from the blizzard.

We had a blast and will add this as an annual family event.

Memories of Pfc. Matthew A. Bean

Pfc. Matthew A. Bean, was killed in Iraq. His father, Dana, was my roommate at Gordon College.

Below are two YouTube videos made by Dana’s brother, Doug, as a tribute to Matthew. While on patrol for missing Soldiers (Alex Jimenez and Byron Fouty) from his unit, the 10th Mountain division, Matthew was shot in the head by a sniper and would die from this injury May 31st, 2007.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HmttLjYpmc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfR9Y6Xlu2g

Dana and Cheryl continue to be strong through this time.

On Tuesday, December 8, 2009, Matthew was profiled on the Nancy Grace Program. Dana said his family is like all other "Gold Star" families: honored & proud to share our son's life with the shows viewers.

Dana (Matthew's father) has been corresponding with Blue Browning, of the Nancy Grace Show, giving more information about Matthew.

Matthew Bio ...

Matthew was an athlete of course: snow, skate, & wakeboarding. He wrestled & played judo. Football & soccer when he was younger. He enjoyed outdoor activities like fishing & softball. What he was famous among his military "brothers" for was playing guitar & singing after they came back from patrols.

While in Iraq, on his first tour, he survived two IED explosions and was awarded the "Arcom" (Army Commendation) for saving his unit from a third. He actually stood by the device, cleared the area, and located the enemy who had set it. We were told that he was targeted by the sniper who shot him because he would have been identified over a period of time as "the guy" in his unit that was outstanding. He died May 31st, 2007 from his head wound at Bethesda Naval Hospital after hanging on for 12 days. The Army doctors did all they could; we will always be thankful to them for the time they gave us with our son. Matthew had just turned 22 years old. He had been awarded the ArCom, Bronze Star, & Purple Heart.

He had an award-winning smile that melted the hearts of everyone he met. It reflected what was inside of him. Matthew was a Christian. That is what gives us the "blessed assurance" that we will see him again when our Lord calls us home! His life and death have touched many for the sake of Christ. That now includes you & Nancy!

Matthew left behind his brothers & sisters, as well as, his fiancee, Sarah. There are some great pictures of him along with a bit of who he was on various "YouTube" videos posted by family & friends.

My wife, Cheryl, & I thank you!

Dana Bean
Proud Army Dad

http://www.iraqwarheroes.com/beanm.htm