This is a very touching and memorable post. What gives Memorial Day personal meaning are memories of my first cousin, who parachuted into the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-Jan. 1945 and went on to capture four German army officers as the war wound down, and to stand guard in occupied Munich. "I was too young to be afraid," he told me. After military service, he became a doctor and lived a long life, to nearly 95. I cherish pictures and video clips of him. https://jimbuie.substack.com/p/how-to-make-memorial-day-meaningful
Just returned from the Memorial Day parade in our small town of Cape Elizabeth. In spite of the damp cold weather, the turnout was as big as ever. I found it all to be an emotional roller coaster, swinging back and forth between sadness and joy. The very large middle school band marched and played and two of the trumpet players did Taps with an echo. The Star Spangled Banner was sung with great feeling by a man with Down Syndrome who had graduated from our high school. Bagpipes played Amazing Grace and a list of all those from our town who served or are currently serving in the military was read. Several were present. The Gettysburg address was read as was the poem "In Flanders Field". It's difficult to describe all the emotions I experienced, but the overwhelming one was pride in our town and our country.
Thank you for sharing this story. I have been reading from FB for a few years and am glad to become a paid subscriber. Thank you for all the writing. I am so glad to get history and modern viewpoints together!
Thank you Heather Cox Richardson. I, like you and the rest of us, have tears for those families who gave the ultimate sacrifice—lost family members—AND family members who came home physically, mentally, and spiritually altered. The families they returned to were or are also altered. We MUST stand with returning veterans and their families and hold our elected representatives accountable.
A short story I read recently by Laura Kalpakian called "The Battle of Manila" gave a visceral account of the grief caused by the loss of loved ones in far away wars. It's in a book of short stories titled "Dark Continent".
This one did it. Made me become a paid member of Letters From An American, after reading for free for a couple of years. I do love a good story.
You have come to the right place, Carl - welcome.
This is a very touching and memorable post. What gives Memorial Day personal meaning are memories of my first cousin, who parachuted into the Battle of the Bulge, December 1944-Jan. 1945 and went on to capture four German army officers as the war wound down, and to stand guard in occupied Munich. "I was too young to be afraid," he told me. After military service, he became a doctor and lived a long life, to nearly 95. I cherish pictures and video clips of him. https://jimbuie.substack.com/p/how-to-make-memorial-day-meaningful
Just returned from the Memorial Day parade in our small town of Cape Elizabeth. In spite of the damp cold weather, the turnout was as big as ever. I found it all to be an emotional roller coaster, swinging back and forth between sadness and joy. The very large middle school band marched and played and two of the trumpet players did Taps with an echo. The Star Spangled Banner was sung with great feeling by a man with Down Syndrome who had graduated from our high school. Bagpipes played Amazing Grace and a list of all those from our town who served or are currently serving in the military was read. Several were present. The Gettysburg address was read as was the poem "In Flanders Field". It's difficult to describe all the emotions I experienced, but the overwhelming one was pride in our town and our country.
Thank you for sharing this story. I have been reading from FB for a few years and am glad to become a paid subscriber. Thank you for all the writing. I am so glad to get history and modern viewpoints together!
Thank you Heather Cox Richardson. I, like you and the rest of us, have tears for those families who gave the ultimate sacrifice—lost family members—AND family members who came home physically, mentally, and spiritually altered. The families they returned to were or are also altered. We MUST stand with returning veterans and their families and hold our elected representatives accountable.
A short story I read recently by Laura Kalpakian called "The Battle of Manila" gave a visceral account of the grief caused by the loss of loved ones in far away wars. It's in a book of short stories titled "Dark Continent".
How did I get on the audio list? I like being on the reading list. Can you please send me regular legible silent emails? Thanks.
Hi, you are in charge of that. Change it in "manage subscription."