Dateline: Everytown, USA

 

Memorial Day: My Hometown

 

Every Memorial Day I drive 10 minutes East to my hometown, Hampton, NH. I meet my sister and brother in law at their house, and most of the time others arrive- this year my nephew and his son Cayden (below)- and we all set off together on foot. Parade bound. 

 

 

We have our usual spots at the beginning of the route. 

 

 

This year, the parade was led by a Pearl Harbor survivor.

He was followed closely by our local veterans, including Uncle George (1 tour of Korea, 2 in Vietname) in the jeep, the Winnacunnet High School Band who played songs for each branch of the service this year, and of course the Boy Scouts, the Cub Scouts and the Girl Scouts.

Then we pep step it to High Street to meet the parade on the other side, and watch them lay the wreath at the War On Terror Memorial at the Legion.

Onto the cemetery for the Memorial Day services.

That includes the Pledge of Allegiance, invocation, a speaker, the anthem, recoginition of the veterans by war and branch (that's Uncle Norm second from left....he and the man to his left are both WWII veterans), the junior high chorus singing God Bless America......

....readying the little ones for the gun salute (that's my Dad who served during the Korean War, my niece, her daughter Sophia and Cayden again), Uncle George ordering the gun salute, Taps (which always makes me cry....well, this year I was tearing up at the start of the parade thinking of what the Pearl Harbor survivor must have witnessed. What can I say.)......

the tolling of the bell for each war, followed by the closing and the obligatory mingling.

Uncle Norm wanted to talk to the young recruit who particpated this year. 'Semper Fi Brother'.

And then, a closing shot of two of my favorite marines, before walking back to sister Di's for a BBQ with family and friends and to to enjoy the freedoms so many have fought for, and for which too many have died.

We were so glad to see the sun finally come out, just in time for Memorial Day.

Sunset Meadows

The day ended on a brilliant note. The sunset was blinding.

It was a good day.

Did you get to enjoy a long holiday weekend where you were? How'd you spend your time? Even though it rained, we still got a campfire in Friday night. A little rain wasn't gonna keep us down.

Have a great day.

Ciao for now,

Simply Remember

The Memorial Weekend Plan

My plan on Memorial Day is always to simply remember.  I think it's extrememly important to remember those who have given their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. Think of that. They've given their lives.

As this weekend begins, let's pay respect to those we have lost through all wars, those who served beside them, and our servicemen and women who serve today. As I see so many people still being oppressed around the world, I think it is fitting to make time, not only to remember those lost, but to enjoy our hardfought freedoms. Otherwise it would all be for naught.

Say thank you to the veterans in your life and those you meet who you may not know.

Here's to those in mine.

Here's my Mom with my Dad and my Uncle Norm a few years ago. My Dad was lucky. His engineering skills kept him on US soil during the Korean War, my Uncle Norm, not so much. He served during WWII and survived Guadal Canal and the Pacific campagin. He witnessed horrific things.  His wife Auntie Auggie, who we lost a few years ago, served as a nurse in WWII.

Then there's Uncle George, behind Col. Lessard (who we just call The Col), in the jeep.

If I remember right, I think Uncle George may have done one tour in Korea and two tours in Vietnam. Wish I could say he made it home in one piece, but he didn't. He survived a horrible injury, but you'd never know it today. He leads the gun salute at the cemetery every Memorial Day.

Then there's my favorite Navy man. My godfather Boski, who I really miss.

Here's to all of you servicemen and women. I will never forget the sacrifice of those who didn't come home or those who were willing to serve their country.

Our Memorial Day plans are to do some stuff around the yard. I have work to get done first, but I sure would like to dig in the dirt in the next few days. I'd love to plant some of our vegetables and my window boxes. Beyond that, I'll attend the parade and services in my hometown on Monday, and then back to Di and Al's for a BBQ. Later that day, we'll pop over to our neighbors for another BBQ. There is always something going on in the hood. If the weather holds out tonight, burgers on the grill and a campfire out back are on the agenda, which sounds like the perfect way to enjoy our freedoms. 

What are your plans for this Memorial Day weekend and unofficial start to summer? What's happening in your corner of the world? 

ttfn,

Celebrating Life In Style

Happy 90th Birthday Uncle Norm!

I mentioned yesterday that we were going to a party for my Uncle Norm's birthday.  My parents and Uncle Norm and Auntie Auggie have been friends since the 50s.  We miss Auntie Auggie a lot, especially at times like these. She was quite a ticket. Quite. A. Ticket.  They caused a lot of trouble together over the years.  I have no idea what Uncle Norm and my father are doing in this picture. One of many, many crazy skits. Uncle Norm's clothes  are all tattered and my father is wearing a wig and a woman's hat. Bunch of nuts.

The birthday boy thought he was just having dinner with his son Marty, daughter-in-law Ronnie and daughter MaryEllen.  So he was pretty surprised when he walked into the Galley Hatch and there was a table filled with his grandkids and friends too.

He worked the room and had a chat with Ronnie, Jane and Uncle George.

We enjoyed a lovey dinner at the Galley Hatch.  Uncle Norm joked that if they counted up all the beers they he had enjoyed at the Galley over the years, it would probably be into the thousands.

Last night he enjoyed a scotch (or two) instead. Hey, he was the birthday boy. It's his prerogrative.

I think Mary Ellen probably got some good pictures. She was moving around the table with the camera.

There were lots of stories. Marty said he remembered getting up one morning and looking out the window and all the cars that were in the garage were now in the driveway. Auntie Auggie's car was parked horizontally across the drive.  My father insisted that if he had anything to do with that, it was surely in retaliation for the goat that Uncle Norm tied up on my parent's lawn. That goat was moved from house to house to house, eventually eating my Aunt Doris' hedge.

Uncle Norm told the story about their trip to Montreal with my parents and how he was confident enough with his high school French to order breakfast. The waiter kept questioning, "monsieur, are you certain that is what you want?". "Yes" Uncle Norm insisted. The waiter promptly delivered his eggs and lollipops.

Gar got up to tell a good Irish joke. Uncle Norm calls Garrett 'Mick' (as in Mc).  He calls Uncle Norm 'Hank'.....a good solid American name. 

Dad got up to tell more stories including the one about him on top of Uncle Norm's roof trying to realign his antennae during a windstorm. Uncle Norm was yelling up the chimney giving him directions. My father yelled back, "Do you know how cold it is up here?" Uncle Norm told him to come down, he had something for him.



Oh boy did he have something for him. He had travelled to Germany for work and brought back some Boomerlunder. Aquavit. 'Water of Life'.

I'm not sure about that 'water of life' thing but after a few rounds up and down between the antennae and the boomerlunder, my father was now hanging over the chimney when Auntie Auggie and Mary Ellen came home. Being so 'warm', shall we say, from the Boomerlunder, my father had no idea that his pants had split right up the rear. Auntie Auggie couldn't stop laughing for 15 minutes.

And then there was cake...............

.............and birthday wishes.

.......and eventually, goodbyes.

A great night all around for a super Uncle, who was looking quite dapper in his Polo vest and plaid shirt. 

Love you Uncle Norm!! Happy Birthday!

When Is Spring? 

Went to bed with nothing on the ground and woke up to this surprise.

Sure is pretty against the blue sky though.

Enjoy the day. We're off to another birthday party today. A hello kitty birthday party for our grand niece. You gotta love it!

Ciao for now,

Freeform Friday

via sovietvintage

Ever Have One Of Those Weeks?

That's the way it's been here. So I have to say, I'm pretty happy that it's friday and that the weekend is here. I'm even happier because we have two parties to attend.

via kisforcalligrapy

One for my Uncle Norm, my sister Dianne's godfather and one of my parent's best friends. He's turning 90 today! Go Uncle Norm!

He's a WWII veteran who survived Guadal Canal and the Pacific campagin. That's him on the right with my parents. Happy Birthday Uncle Norm! I know Auntie Auggie (who was a nurse in WWII) will be there with us in spirit. I mean, she certainly wouldn't miss this party. Auntie Auggie loved a party!

Tomorrow we'll be attending our Grand Niece Sophia's 2nd birthday.  She's one happening chiquita. I mean, get a load of those sunglasses she's stylin'.

Little Miss Tailfeather is a born dancin' fool just like her Graunty (great aunt, get it?) Pam. This child shakes that booty and dances any chance she gets.

It will be nice to celebrate some happy occasions.  Do you have any fun plans this weekend? Any parties or are you just chilling like MacGillan?

Freeform Friday

Here's one from WWII for Uncle Norm. I just love Doris Day and this song:




And one with a quicker beat for Little Miss Tailfeather. I can never watch Blues Brothers without getting up and dancing to this one:




The sun is shining here, though it's much cooler today. Yesterday was downright balmy at over 60F.

Enjoy it whatever way you can,