Random picture thread for Friday

This Morning's Sunrise Lit Sky

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST KIKKAN RANDALL'S KEYNOTE SPEECH AT ALASKA GIVING MACHINES UNVEILING

It took five tries to get the Giving Machines to come to Alaska which Olympic Medalist Kikkan Randall compares to the five Olympics it took her to get a gold medal.

She also draws a parallel to the medal winning U.S. Cross-Country Team that “came together” to accomplish great things and the Alaska community that has “come together” to accomplish great things by welcoming the Giving Machines.

Individuals use the Giving Machines to contribute to a smorgasbord of charitable projects that the Giving Machines promote. The selected Charity Partners range from local Catholic and Lutheran Social Services to global iDE and UNICEF. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spearheads the effort as part of its “Light the World” initiative.

Link to Olympian Kikkan Randall's Speech:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9yCkbBMrL8

Led by Tammy Hogge with original lyrics by The Bonner Family and piano accompaniment by Cam Bohman, the Light the World Community Choir performs at the opening ceremonies commemorating Alaska’s first Giving Machines.

Together they sing “Let’s Light the World” as motivation for those in Alaska to contribute to selected charities by utilizing the Giving Machines to make the world a better place.

Link to Singing of "Let's Light the World:"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZQCvu7x0KI

Welcoming the unique Giving Machines to Alaska this Native Alaskan Dance and Singing Group, Nunarpagmiut, offers a traditional blessing through song.

Link to Native Alaskan Blessing in Dance and Song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HyLAMejx6g

Selected Photos from this morning's community Welcoming of the Light the World Giving Machines:

The Invited Guests arrive and Local TV interviews organizers Sheldon Fisher and Kevin Parks:

Alaska's Attorney General, Treg Taylor, addresses those gathered as Anchorage Municipal Manager's representative looks on:

Olympic Cross-Country Gold Medalist from Alaska, Kikkan Randall, offers humor in her Keynote Address:

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Proceeds with Scissor Holders L-R - Elder Kevin Parks (L.D.S. Area Seventy), Junior Aumavae (Formerly of NFL Cowboys and Jets), Kikkan Randall (Olympic Medalist), and Treg Taylor (Alaska's Attorney General.)

Giving Machines Coordinator Randy Kimpton along with Macey Kimpton and Volunteer Coordinator Curtis Johnson provide behind the scenes support for the unveiled Giving Machines and their operation (even as Song Leader Tammy Hogge is being interviewed.)

And the Community begins giving with NFL veteran Junior Aumavae making the first purchase, selecting 10 Chickens:

I really like the decorations this time of the year

@D808LF said:
Hawaiian Airlines Terminal B: Aloha Airlines mural.

Tail end of an aviation history mural with a U.S. Air Corps map of the Islands.
-Kahului, Maui airport.