Saturday 9: American Soldier (2003)
Unfamiliar with this week’s tune? See the video and watch it below!
1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it.
I am, of the US Army, almost 14. So is my husband of the same, just over 20 years. In my direct family, I am the only vet for generations. Do I know anyone on active duty? Lots and lots.
2) In this song, Toby Keith reminds us soldiers “work straight through holidays,” even this one, and we are grateful for that, too. Have you ever had to work on a federal holiday? If yes, did it make you sad to be on the job when everyone else was celebrating?
More times than I can count. One notable Thanksgiving, I had brigade staff duty (24 hours on duty), and the officer who had it with me was also from my company. His wife offered to pick up my kid from my friend, who had him while I was on duty, and brought him along with a metric ton of food for her husband and I. The four of us ate together in a conference room, and it was really sweet.
3) The video for this song was filmed at Edwards Air Force Base. This site was chosen to make it easier for off-duty soldiers, reservists and their families to appear. Have you ever visited a military base?
My list is long and varied as a vet. I’ve been all over the place. I live in retirement housing on one as I type.
4) Toby Keith never served in the military but often performed for the USO. While the USO is best known for providing entertainment to our troops, they also have a “Canine Comfort Crew.” Local USO centers make dogs available to troops who long to see a wagging tail. Are you a dog lover?
100%. I have an adorable shih tzu now, named Loki. He’s my little co-writer.
5) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What’s your favorite picnic food?
Pasta salad, or Zippy’s mac salad.
6) Let’s welcome summer with ice cream. What’s your favorite flavor? Cone or cup?
Commercial: chocolate chip cookie dough, heavenly hash, pistachio. My own: rose, lavender, chocolate peanut butter, ube.
7) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent?
I don’t even remember. I rarely get bothered by them.
8) Or swam?
A couple weeks ago at the beach.
9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?
Both, depending on what room you’re in. The AC isn’t always enough to keep the humidity at bay, so there are times when a fan is necessary, too.
I had no idea that there was housing for retired military, but now I’m glad to know it exists. I imagine it’s a great way to stretch your housing dollars.
I grew up with a lot of military families–Loring Air Force Base was nearby (it was closed in 1994). I miss the diversity those families brought to the region.
Thank you for your service. It sounds like you are enjoying retirement
Thank you for your service. Congratulations on the retirement and the writing. Does the dog help, really? Like with ideas or calming you down enough to think, maybe? I used to have a dog but because of my allergies she stayed outside. When I took writing breaks (I was a freelance news writer), I would go to the back door and knock on it. She’d come straight away and I would pet her for a bit and then wash my hands and go back to work. I had her for 17 years, which is a long time in doggie days. I missed her terribly when she died. But I didn’t replace her because I couldn’t have a dog in the house and didn’t think it was fair to the animal to keep it outside. My dog hated being inside when I did bring her in during cold spells; she was part Eskimo Spitz and loved the cold weather.