1. We’re approaching Memorial Day Weekend in the US of A…will you mark this in some way? If so tell us how.
My husband and I are both Army veterans, and we’ve both lost brothers and/or sisters in arms. The whole day is definitely a day of remembrance for us. It’s a somber day for both of us.
2. What’s something recently that made you ‘come to attention’?
I think the last several years have been a “come to attention” for a lot of people in this US. It certainly has been for me. Social issues have always been important to me, and I’ve always known there was work to be done in those areas. That has become glaringly obvious in recent years. I’ve learned a lot about people during this time, some of it incredibly disheartening. Whether one wants to admit it or not, and there are many who do not, it’s plainly obvious that 45 legitimized open hatred against others. There were people in my own circles who I suddenly saw in a different light. Openly racist and homophobic, openly phobic against all manners of people. That hurts my soul in a fundamental way.
3. In what area of your life do you need to ‘soldier on’?
My health. It’s been a rough year, healthwise. Not COVID, thankfully. But it’s been a long road nonetheless.
4. As a long weekend approaches and summer draws near, what’s a favorite food from your childhood you think about adding to the menu?
Glazier hot dogs. They are a company local to my hometown in northern New York, and I recently discovered that they ship. Which is a great thing, since I live in Hawai’i now!
5. Your favorite patriotic movie?
Saving Private Ryan, Pearl Harbor, and Top Gun are all right up there!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Memorial Day is more than a day to “celebrate.” It’s a day to rememember those who’ve lost their lives. I hate the phrase “Happy Memorial Day” because it’s not really a happy day. I’ve lost friends, lost brothers and sisters in arms. I’ve deployed, I’ve watched my husband deploy. One of my closest friends lost her husband in Afghanistan, and it destroyed her. She’s gone now, and I know in my heart, she’s with Paul again.
To Them We Owe
© Don Nielsen
Happened today, and in the past;
Sacrifice made, for ours to last.
Wives to widows, families torn;
Gave their lives, for them we mourn.
Gone forever, souls are lost;
Freedom comes, with this cost.
Enjoy the life, they did preserve;
Fate they suffered, did not deserve.
On this day, lest we forget;
To them we owe, our life in debt.
Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/to-them-we-owe
I know where your hometown is! I live about an hour away and visit there often to stock up on cheese Macadam’s and fabric at JoAnn’s! The poem you posted is beautiful and tugs at the heart. Thank you and your husband for your service and sacrifice and we are sorry for the losses that you have endured. Bless you both ((hugs))
I actually lived in Potsdam, but no one ever knows where that is!! Macadam’s cheese… I miss cheese curds!! <3
My son went to college in Potsdam! What a small world… not a fan of cheese curds, but the sharp cheddar… yum!
Potsdam State or Clarkson?
Thank you to you and your husband for your service. My dad was a Marine and my son-in-law is in the Army so we try to honor the day in some way every year.
First off, thank you to you and your husband. A few years ago I watched or read something about how hard it is for many when people say “happy Memorial Day”. It opened my eyes. I have a cousin who is a veteran and he too has shared of many friends he has lost. It brings things into perspective, and so I think in the midst of having a day off and usually doing something fun, it’s important to take time to remember, to honor, to think of the families who have lost their loved ones.
I love the poem too.
Also, I just read your about page…one of my nicknames is Kiki. My grandson calls me Nonni Kiki. :)
Thank you and your husband for your service to our country. I do understand–my son was deployed, twice, as a chaplain. I mentioned it in my random thought today.