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Daddy never talked about being a veteran ; I only knew because I'd love looking through old family photo albums. I'd marvel at photos of him taken when he served in Asia during World War II as he looked like such a "baby", not like the grown man that was our dad. When we were growing up, he'd wear his Hump Pilots Association cap all the time, but I never thought much about it until years after he passed and Mom received a VHS tape celebrating the 50 th anniversary of WWII that was about " flying the hump ". At the time, the girls were very young, so weren't interested in watching it. But I may try again to help them see that we all have so much to be thankful for, especially our veterans – the men and women who have served to defend and protect our country not only over the years but over the decades. |
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Technically, over the centuries. It started as
Armistice Day
on November 11, 1919, to commemorate
the 1918 "
truce
" between
the Allied nations and Germany in World War I. Unfortunately, more wars would follow, and it was officially changed to
Veterans Day
in 1954. And, while
Memorial Day
remembers those who gave their lives
for our country, Veterans Day honors all who have served in the military during
times of war and peace, including those who are no longer with us.
In my opinion, there are not enough days to celebrate the men and women in the military who serve and protect us. So, when we have an opportunity to thank a veteran – and especially today – we should do so, proudly and humbly. |
red head
assets.rebelmouse.io
Black
assets.rebelmouse.io
Thank you, Veterans – today and every day – for protecting our country, our freedom, our democracy.
Photo by
Andre Alexander
on
Unsplash
It’s hot and humid, and Red and her daughter are thinking about the lonely turtle crossing the road (no, this isn’t the start of a joke – see story below) seeking water and shelter from the sun. It’s something we can all relate to as millions are dealing with brutal heat waves .
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I'm still smiling at you letting Sawyer drive your Mercedes G-wagen . Although I know that her dream car's a Ford F-150 , I think yours is her "fantasy car". |
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I knew the "long way" to drive back to your house, but after asking her if she knew the best way, it seemed easier to have her drive. |
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Well, you might have thought of it as efficient, but she thought it was exciting. And she told me that she was honored you trusted her to drive. |
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Did she mention that once we got back to your neighborhood, we saw a huge turtle on the road? Moving very slowly, of course, so I was not concerned it would become an unexpected road obstacle . |
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Of all the things she might encounter in our neighborhood – cyclists, Amazon delivery trucks, dog walkers – to find a turtle in the street was probably the last thing she was expecting. |
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Or, me. I know we laugh about me needing Benadryl to visit you in the suburbs, but it is due to all the pets and children – not wildlife. |
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That turtle made me think of Daddy. I'm not sure you were still living at home at the time, but do you remember when he "saved" the turtle on the road ? |
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I have no idea what you are talking about. |
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Daddy was driving on Wantagh Avenue, near Kwong Ming (our favorite Chinese restaurant growing up in Massapequa ), when, all of a sudden, he pulled off the road and hopped out of the car. |
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If I remember correctly, that road did not get much traffic. |
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True, but there were still cars on the road, and it was still a very unusual thing for him to do. I was probably around ten or so and sitting in the back seat, so was a little surprised when the car stopped, and he quickly got out. But when he said, "I'll be right back," I could tell by his voice that everything was ok. |
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Considering that Daddy was very mild-mannered and not the sort of person to panic or to overreact, I am not sure the tone of his voice would have been a good indicator. |
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Regardless, I wasn't the most observant of kids, so unless the car were on fire, I probably wouldn't have thought much of any of it. So, while he walked across the road, I didn't think twice about getting out of the car to watch what he was doing. Not because I was worried, but out of curiosity. |
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It is hard to imagine that same scenario today, for an assortment of reasons. Unless, of course, it was staged for YouTube or Instagram. |
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I know, but it was a different time. Decades ago. |
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I can picture Daddy waving the cars to slow down while scooping up the turtle and depositing it well away from the side of the road. |
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Close. He disappeared on the other side of the road for a few minutes, and when he returned to the car, he told me that there was a stream, so he had carried the turtle down the bank and placed it by the water. It was a hot summer day, and he figured that the poor turtle had somehow wandered far from home and was now trying to find water. Not to mention grass and shade. |
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That sounds like Daddy. Well, the conditions were similar when Sawyer and I saw the turtle in your neighborhood, but I have no idea where the local stream is located. |
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I wish I had been around, as I'd have paid homage to Daddy by scooping up the turtle and at least try to find it a safe place. And based on what Sawyer told me, if she sees him (or her) again, that's exactly what she plans to do. |
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Like father, like daughter … like granddaughter. |