Happy Veterans Day! Have y'all anything planned in particular?
Aside from my father always purchasing poppies from the old men in front of the Post Office (I wonder if that's even a thing anymore) I don't recall any parades or observances.
Oh, but he'd put out our flag. Always the patriot. Legend had it, if folks saw the Red White and Blue flying at the Willer's house, they'd hurry to put theirs out as well.
One afternoon a neighbor approach my dad. Puzzled, he asked, "What exactly are we commemorating today?" Straight-faced my father replied, "It's Evelyn's birthday." I'm not sure what the VFW might say, but to daddy's way of thinking, each of our birthdays was reason to fly the flag.
So, I spent the better half of yesterday purging the linen closet -- resulting in bags-full of old towels and blankets to be dropped at the Humane Society. Other than that ... it's a rainy day, best suited for my comfy clothes and carbs. And a movie.
I guess you could call it a tradition. I still haven't decided whether to watch Saving Private Ryan or The Deer Hunter.
Ironic. At the time, I was more than a little reluctant to see either one. War movies aren't my favorite genre.
Both, however, spiraled their way deep in my consciousness like no other. Sure, I'll cry. Again and again.
But. Like Buttercup once wrote, "My pain is their remembrance. I would have it no other way."
Be well ... be safe!
I loved hearing about your dad's patriotic spirit, Myra. Boy, we sure could use more of that! And movies? I think "It's a Wonderful Life" will always be one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Believe it or not, I've only seen bits and pieces of that film!
DeleteEnjoy your movie, comfy clothes and carbs today. Same here except hurricane watching instead of movie watching. A big thank you to all our Veterans!
ReplyDeleteLifting prayers for the Gulf Coast!
DeleteWe are going to watch Mel Gibson's The Patriot. it is one of our favorites. I did a post on it years ago. everytime i see him charging into the smoke and guns carrying the flag, I cry..I have seen Saving Private Ryant twice, the 2nd time was about a month ago, during the shut down I think. that silly storm ETA just turned into a hurricane and is aimed directly at us, sometime tonight it will be here. a hurricane 3 weeks before Thanksgiving? arhhh. walked Beau in the rain today.. hope it stays a cat 1 and no higher. all of Tampa bay is under watch, that includes your friend in St Pete. my son was out at 5 am in Clearwater tying down the yacht club boats.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why I've not seen The Patriot. I'll have to see if it's not available on Prime or Netflix.
DeleteIt's always a good day to fly the flag in my opinion. I put little flags in my flower boxes and they fly as long as the flowers live. Sometimes it's good to watch a war movie to remind us of how terrible wars are and witness the outstanding bravery of our soldiers. Good for you getting so much done there. Always nice to make donations to the human society. Hope you have a Happy Veterans Day. Take time to thank a vet.
ReplyDeleteFor sure! I'm enormously humbled by their sacrifices. Have a beautiful day, my friend.
DeleteThe flag is always flying here. My go to movie is It's a Wonderful Life, I need that reassurance every so often. smiles.
ReplyDeleteHere, as well. The last storm shredded our flag, so Tom wasted no time finding another.
DeleteI will think of my brothers WWII, Sherry's Brothers WWII & Viet Nam. I admire any man or woman who is willing to give this country their vows and serve. As boy I learned it was like pulling teeth to learn experiences of my brothers. Most tried to forget.
ReplyDeleteThe country should be proud of the veterans. Veterans Day parades have beencancelled back home for this year.
Sending good thoughts YOur's and Tom's way.
Sherry & jack
"Most tried to forget." I don't doubt that for a moment. Nor can I imagine having to walk in their footsteps.
DeleteI eat my lunch at work down in the lobby where there are some benches. In the building where I work there is an office for Marines. Not sure what they do but there is always activity going on (and that makes me feel safe LOL). Anyway, yesterday they were practicing for an event they were having. I was across the way but I heard them recite the Marine prayer which I had never heard before. Made me cry :)
ReplyDeleteSaw in the comments you hadn't seen the Patriot yet. Definitely watch it :)
We need to put up a flag pole/display. Keep meaning to but haven't yet. A few people on our street do fly the flag daily.
I haven't seen the Deer Hunter or Saving Private Ryan. Might watch one soon.
Thanking your dad and your son for their service to our country!
betty
I will! And I hope you'll watch either of these films and let me know your thoughts? I wasn't aware of a Marine prayer but will be looking for it online.
DeleteIn the UK we had Remembrance Sunday three days ago. Wreath laying and parades in London much smaller this year. We buy poppies in aid of The British Legion. Let us pray for world peace.
ReplyDeleteGod bless, Mevely.
Honored to be among your prayer warriors, Victor!
DeleteAnd the film where Jack Nicholson says to Tom Cruise, "you can't handle the truth".
ReplyDeleteOr where Richard Attenborough is Kris Kringle.
God bless.
Yes, 'A Few Good Men' was a great film. I don't recall ever having seen Miracle on 34th Street. Perhaps this year's a good time.
DeleteI remember the red poppies when I was a VERY small child, but nowadays they seem to have vanished from tradition.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many war movies to choose from, that favorites are nearly an impossibility.
One memorable film is "The Best Years of Our Lives" - which won an Oscar for best picture (1946?)and is directed by William Wyler, one of my favorite directors. It deals with the problems soldiers had to cope with after the war.
The 1921 film "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse", with Rudolph Valentino, is a masterpiece about World War I.
Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with either film. 'The Best Years' sounds like something I'd really enjoy. And given the subject matter, something way ahead of its time!
DeleteThank you VETERANS - and I just love that flag!
ReplyDeleteI sure do like your dad! The two movies you mentioned are really tough to watch but they do get into your heart like most don't. I count The Green Mile among them, too.
ReplyDeleteGreen Mile was another cornerstone. Thanks, Terri!
DeleteThe movie that affected me the most wasn't about war, it was The Yearling. I saw it when I was a kid and it broke my heart. Then a date talked me into seeing it in high school and I bawled my eyes out again.
ReplyDeleteYes. Unfortunately, I remember that heartbreak.
DeleteI love the story about your dad flying the flag on your birthday. My birthday is actually on "flag day" and when I was a child, I was convinced that all of those flags were up because of my birthday!!
ReplyDeleteThat's so neat!
DeleteI tackled my linen closet also a few weeks ago mostly pitched a lot I never use and discovered some hidden treasure. But the big win this week was our oldest shed full of Christmas stuff, but outdated. Much to toss in the dumpster and worthy finds to bless the Christian thrift store with in town. I feel lighter!
ReplyDeleteAnd hopefully your 'trash' will become someone else's treasure! Love how that works!
DeleteWe didn't fly our flag yesterday because it was raining off an on all day and today as well, thanks to Eta. So the flag stayed inside, but it was soaring in my heart and mind. We didn't do anything special yesterday because we had just gotten home from our trip, so I did laundry, bought a few groceries, and tried to rest. I think hubby watched some war movies, but I was too busy. I haven't seen poppies for sale in a long time, which is very sad. Was yesterday your birthday? I didn't realize that, so Happy Birthday!! Was this a particular decade one? I was thinking we were the same age...? born in '50? Well, whatever it was, I hope it was happy and well spent. Have a blessed and wonderful rest of your week/weekend.
ReplyDeleteNope, my birthday falls on St. Paddy's Day (March). Yep, we're both 1950 editions -- glad of it! I hope the rest of your week is nice and restful. :)
DeleteI remember buying poppies. Haven't seen the for sale in years. That's sweet that he would put a flag out for birthday's. Way to go on purging. Those are excellent movies.
ReplyDelete