The journey of the Shenandoah

Devin Owen
MSMU Class of 2026

(10/2023) As the wind blows the recently changing leaves through the cool autumn air, the giant dirigibles of the American navy—known as ‘The Shenandoah’—glides through the air with ease, towering over Frederick County; the sun shining brightly causing the white hulk to glisten for all to see from below. In a small town near the western edge of this county, called Emmitsburg, residents gathered on the streets, their faces upturned to the sky. Children pointed excitedly, and adults shared stories of the last time they had seen such a marvel. The Shenandoah sailed majestically over the town, casting a shadow that rippled across the town like a gentle breeze. It was a sight that would be etched into the memories of those fortunate enough to witness it for years to come. Among those gathered to see the airship, a young girl aged only fourteen, pushed her way to the front of the crowd with her older sister trailing behind in attempts to catch the teenager before she gets lost. As Raelynn pushed her way through the crowd, she finally made it to the front, getting a good look at the airship soaring through the air. At last, her sister Nikki made her way to the front of the crowd too, finally able to see what the fuss was about.

The girls had been sent out by their mother to gather supplies for their road trip that they were taking that afternoon; their destination being lovely Richmond, Virginia. Their mother, still (somewhat) patiently waiting in the car for her daughters to return, checked her watch for a third time. Once she finally notices the large crowd forming, the girls’ mother decided to push her way through to find her kids and usher them back to the car. After pulling, ushering, and finally begging for her girls to return to the vehicle, they were able to continue their journey forward to their destinations. Snacks and beverages in hand—and laps, mostly—their drive continued.

Raelynn sat in the backseat staring in wonder out the window, following the dirigible as much as she possibly could; allowing herself to be overtaken with uncomfort and stiffness in her neck as she decided to lay her head on the window and fall into a slumber, leaving her mother and sister to watch the dirigible through the windows. The dirigible continued its journey, following a precise route that took it over Thurmont, where, as pointed out by Nikki, the townsfolk had assembled with binoculars and cameras in hand, snapping pictures to keep for the years to come. Families picnicked in the nearby parks; their eyes glued to the sky as the Shenandoah passed overhead. The quiet hum of its engines filled the air, creating an almost surreal sense of serenity as it sailed, although that hum couldn’t be heard by anyone on land. Woodsboro, too though, was graced by the Shenandoah's presence. The townspeople here as well, watched in wonder as the massive airship carried through the air above them.

Eventually, the Shenandoah approached Libertytown, where the anticipation was at its peak. News of the ‘blimp’ had been shared from one family to the next, with phones ringing from relatives calls of "Have you seen it?!" or "Look up! It’s the Shenandoah in the sky! Look! Look! Look!" At this point, the airship made a graceful turn to the west, heading towards the Shenandoah Valley and its final destination, Richmond, Virginia. The small family of three was following the same path as the blimp, the girls unaware of the plans their mother held for their arrival in Richmond.

The car ride continued, with the excitement and anticipation enveloping the atmosphere of the vehicle. The daughters were waiting to hear what the point of this long trip was—why would anyone want to be stuck in the car for so long at a time? Their mother, bubbling with joy, was so beyond ready to surprise her daughters with the gift of a lifetime. They made their way towards a private airport, getting oddly closer to the final destination of the dirigible, leading the girls to realize that they are going to get their own personal close up of the airship as it lands. As it landed on the tarmac, a grand welcome awaited the airship. A crowd had gathered at the airship terminal, and a brass band played lively tunes to mark the occasion. The Shenandoah descended gracefully, its massive bulk settling gently on the landing platform. Sailors in crisp uniforms and officers in their finest attire disembarked, greeted by cheers from the crowd. The captain of the Shenandoah, Captain Foraker, stepped off the airship and was met by the mayor of Richmond. They shook hands, and the mayor declared, "Captain Foraker, you and your crew have made history today. The Shenandoah's flight over our great nation is a testament to American ingenuity and progress."

Captain Foraker smiled and replied, "Thank you, Mr. Mayor. It's an honor to have been a part of this journey. The Shenandoah and her crew are proud to serve our country." A particular officer though, was patiently waiting to surprise two out of three loves of his life.

Officer Tracy, after waiting an excruciating 19 months, finally gets view of his wife and daughters walking up through the crowd of people. Pure joy and love flowed through the cheers of excitement called out by both Nikki and Raelynn, while their mother followed behind with a smile from ear to ear and tears threatening to leak from her eyes. As they reached their father, the girls leaped into his arms, hugging him as tightly as they could, as if they would never get to hug him again. As the festivities of reunion continued into the night, Officer Tracy looked up at the starry sky, thinking about this incredible journey. The Shenandoah had brought joy and wonder to the people of Frederick County and beyond, and it had shown them that the sky was no longer the limit; but the real joy for this officer was his return to home, a return to his heart.