It was normal back then to get a boyfriend, then lose him to the Service. Mothers cried. Girlfriends and wives cried, but off they went anyway.
It was called SERVING. People who received government handouts were few and far between, and ashamed when they received their check. Food stamps were nearly handed to cashiers under the conveyor belt with their groceries. "Don't look. Don't look." You could feel their embarrassment.
Do any of you remember the draft?
I'm pretty sure that if the draft was to come back into existence, we'd see an awful lot of nationwide riots, cars overturned, glass windows broken and shelves in all the stores wiped clean.
As the veterans today stood when their particular song was sung, there were MANY men standing. Standing proudly.
Stud stood and I felt like standing also, because I'm so proud of him and any man who GAVE instead of take.
When the procession carried the flag ahead of them, I felt loyalty to this piece of fabric. It was an old flag and she looked lank and weary. The once stout soldiers looked old, lank, and weary as they walked behind her. But in every heart, there was the young, muscular boy/man who knew no other attitude than "It's MY turn to serve."
Not, "Get outta my way. It's MY turn to get my check."
This is why my heart broke on election day.
Neither candidate served as military.
Neither man can fix the damage.
But only one of those men do I fear.
There's just something NOT * QUITE * RIGHT about him.
I imagine it would be hard to find a man in the proper age group who could run for president AND had served his country, but I'd prefer one.
So the veterans are getting older, as is Stud. Stud always shakes the hand of every vet he sees, and I get to hug them or even have my photo taken.
The one thing I know for sure is missing from this nation is an honest, well-deserved feeling of SHAME for letting her become what she was never meant to be.
ack lotta...i don't even know how to respond to this except ack.
ReplyDeletethanks to you and Stud, to both of you, for your service. service comes in so many shapes and sizes.
your friend,
kymber
The people who now populate this nation have never felt, nor know why they should feel, SHAME.
DeleteLook at Maj. Allan West of Florida. He will be in the run for the Presidency or VP one day. He is awesome. I do remember the draft. That is why I went into the Navy...to stay out of the Army. And I love talking to those old (older than me) who served during WWII and Korea. They are humble, but you can hear the pride and sadness in their voices. They know...
ReplyDeleteI would like to hang around longer just to see what eventually happens around here, but I'd want to be in better shape to handle it and both trigger fingers still working. I think it will come to that in first one area, then the next, more than immediately.
DeleteJust got back from eating and there was a little, old man in his uniform from WWII!
ReplyDeleteNo. That was ME. The little old man is on the left.
DeleteThank you for your service Stud!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this amazing post Lotta Joy.
Words never came that meant more to me than they did for this post.
DeleteAMEN!...I wish I knew how to comment in BIG BOLD LETTERS. Thank you lotta joy
ReplyDeleteStud just finished reading my post and he said "I've never read anything more heartfelt. You nailed it, honey."
DeleteAnd it DOES put into words how I feel about this past election better than just saying I wanted to puke. I feel a travesty has occurred.
Well said. Thanks to Stud & you!
ReplyDeleteI did nothing. I'm just the mouth that roars. But Stud, hey, I'm proud of him from his military service to his 34 years on the fire department to the time he spent on Ground Zero.
DeleteI always thought our Commander in Chief had to be a man who served in the military, it sure seems funny for anyone to carry that title who never served.
ReplyDeleteI am so honored to know men who actually served and also those who still are today.
The Men like Stud who stood for this country deserve a lot more respect than what they actually get, Thank You Stud for standing proud for us I appreciate you and each person who sacrifices to keep us free.
As you know, Stud served 36 years on the fire department and searched at Ground Zero too. All I can say about Presidents is "BACK THEN" most men had served in the military. Now, it's only $$ that buys that Presidential position. Not time served.
DeleteThere's just something NOT * QUITE * RIGHT about him.
ReplyDeleteYou and many others know that. It's too bad that half of this country didn't.
Thanks for your service Stud and Happy Veterans Day to you.
The ones who voted him in are the ones who don't give a shit if there's something NOT * QUITE * RIGHT about him. They just made sure THEY are guaranteed to get what THEY want, not the country.
DeleteSomething not quite right is right. What does that say that he's been elected? Twice?
ReplyDeleteThank you to Stud and Happy Veteran's Day. You look great in the photo? Lucky guy, whoever he is!
He has an agenda. His handlers and backers have agendas. It was necessary to get him re-elected, so the latinos got invitations, the others got free cell phones. It's illegal to offer someone liquor to 'buy' their vote on election day, so the bars are closed. hmmmmmmm
DeleteWhat he accomplished in the first four years was the groundwork. When there's something fishy, you follow the smell, but the smell is being covered up too well to find the source.
He suddenly showed up, and suddenly we can't get rid of him.
Wonderful post ! It was an honor to read this and it's an honor to know you even just a little.
ReplyDeleteThank you Stud for your military service and your valiant efforts at Ground Zero.
Lotta Joy, I'm happy that you found each other and are making your own special life together ! The picture above is amazing ! It kinda says it all :))
If Stud and I hadn't moved earth and sky to get together, I'm afraid I'd be too browbeaten and too discounted to even have an opinion, much less to voice it. Stud would die defending my right to say what I think.
DeleteI hear you and couldn't agree more. I always cry when I see someone in a military uniform. I don't know why. In fact, I didn't cry at my daughter's wedding until I saw the uniformed ushers. Where is our America? It's sad to think we will never get it back again.
ReplyDeleteThe America we knew will be gone soon. I have no idea what it will be, but it won't be the symbol of the land of the free, home of the brave. Maybe more like last man standing?
DeleteThat America is on its last legs and the few of us who pay taxes are holding her on our backs. But we're the minority and the minority cannot support an entire country AND those who are supported by that country.
ReplyDeleteShe is crippled now, and those who are stronger (within our own boundaries) will bring her to her knees through us.
Yep, I agree with everything you said, there, and I'm not even American...
ReplyDeleteOddly enough, there's no where I'd rather be, so I guess I'm going down with the ship.
DeleteA heartfelt post which touched me. I agree with you and tis very much the same in this country too.
ReplyDeleteThose countries gaining power will be telling us what to do soon, and I'm afraid the prez will find a way to agree with a lot of their demands - or suggestions.
DeleteI think Stud and I would get along just fine...
ReplyDeleteWe have MUCH in common, don't we?
First drinks are on me.
For years I've been thinking the same thing about the two of you. And don't forget me: the loudmouth broad.
DeleteWe are all honored by those that served. You honor those that did with your post. The United States is great because some abstain from self to honor freedom. It's one of the greatest sacrifices and I'm blessed by those that follow that path.
ReplyDeleteI think if there was a way to gather our readers, and the blogs we all read, together, we'd stand a damn good chance of making out own land safe and self-sufficient.
DeleteMaybe that IS the way to go. It's sounding like common sense to me.
It's called "commune".
DeleteSome of us are already preparing, but because of sensitivity, we call it "super neighborhood watch".
Ahh what a great picture. (by the way, love your outfit). Thanks to Stud for his service. I thanked my son too, for his service for 8 years in the Navy. During the gulf war I saw his ship on CNN and got so excited.
ReplyDeleteI am worried about these next four years...