Followup Freedom Chairs in Whitehouse & Lashings

 Freedom Chairs in the White House (followup)

In an earlier post (April 14, 2012) we wrote about the delegation from Richfield, Utah going to the White House to be recognized for the communities support of military families.  The delegation had requested to take two Freedom Chairs Jack Hansen and I made last year for the soldiers (we had a few left over).  We agreed to give them two, but we had seen no photos nor received confirmation that the chairs were actually delivered to the First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden wife of the Vice President.


A big thanks to DonaMae Workman from the Family Readiness Support Group in Richfield who sent us some photos of the freedom chairs and gift basket being presented to Dr. Jill Biden at the White House ceremony honoring Richfield's Military Families Community Support Program. A freedom chair and gift basket was also provided for First Lady Michelle Obama.  DonaMae and her husband Captain Cody Workman went to the White house as part of the group from Richfield City.

 Quoting DonaMae's email: 

Our trip was wonderful.  It was such an honor to be at the White House as they honored Richfield, Utah for all of the support and love that they have for their soldiers.  We made a wonderful gift basket to go with the chairs.  Mike Turner and Richard Barnett were able to present them directly to Dr. Jill Biden during a reception.  They were able to talk to her about each piece of the gift and why it is important to the community.  The chairs were absolutely the hit of the whole thing!  Thank you so much for letting us share them with the WHITE HOUSE and being such a great supporter of the Soldiers.

Caption on the bottom of this walnut freedom chair for Dr. Jill Biden (a similar name plate was placed on the bottom of each freedom chair presented to soldiers with name, rank, branch of service and a big thank your for the solders service.  A similar name tag was made for First Lady Obama and placed on a maple chair that was presented to her

Gift baskets sitting on top of the freedom chairs, it was good to also see the book "My Dads a Hero" written by  Pat Wilson's daughter - Rachael.  Some of the rest of the items included: The Community Compact Information,  Camouflage for Christmas Collection Bank, the 222nd Receipt Book, CocoMotive Candy, Redmond Salt and other items and products with Sevier County ties.

Mike Turner and Dr. Biden

Mike Turner explaining about the significance of the items in the basket and the freedom chairs in helping raise funds to support military families as well as other support programs that help the families of deployed military members from the Sevier County area

Richfield City Councilmen Richard Barnett and Mike Turner posing with Dr. Jill Biden.  Note: the freedom chairs and gift basket in the back of the room on the left next to the American Flag

 More on Lashings in building a Maneaba

I continue to be fascinated by the traditional construction of Kiribati maneabas. We were able to get some photos of the lashings and general construction of the maneaba on Biketawa atoll.  In an earlier post January 2012 on this blog, there is a lengthy discussion with pictures on the construction of a traditional maneaba.  This is the first time I have been able to take photos of the inside construction of the different lashings used by the I-Kiribati.

Maneaba on Biketawa atoll where we had the marriage retreat

There were four (4) support posts in this smaller maneaba that hold the
large support beams  (coconut tree trunks)

The diagonal roof trusts are lashed to the horizontal cross beams using coconut leave cordage (string)

Another view of the lashing which hold the roof truss in place, someone cheated and used some nails to hold the small rectangular wooden piece  in place.  The traditional maneaba uses no nails or metal attachments or other modern construction materials but, only those gathered from nature.

Lashing to connect two cross beams at a 90 degree angle also you can see the lashing on the diagonal roof truss

Closer look at a diagonal lashing

Note how the cross beam on the roof trusses are also lashed.  Some of the structure is held in place by making notches in the larger roof trusses to hold the roof mats in place

There were other traditional structures on the island as well which are shown below.  Biketawa is a beautiful island and not very expensive to rent for the day.  I think Moroni High rented it for $13.00 for the day and half retreat.

A place to find shade and eat your lunch

Small maneaba design except it is on a cement pad and used some commercial lumber

For those who want some privacy can sleep in these huts

Another hut along side the beach

A view of another atoll next to Biketawa as we approached our landing for the marriage retreat.  No one lives on Biketawa but there are villages on the surrounding atolls

Biketawa Atoll (island).  
An unscrupulous trader talked a village high chief into trading the entire island of Biketawa for a gun (pistol)