Memorial Day - Senator Bernie Sanders

[Rhiannon12866]

May 29, 2023.

[Deuxcents]

1. Beautiful. Ty for posting.

[Rhiannon12866]

2. Thank you!

Both the president and the senator reminded us that this is not just a "holiday" for picnics and parties. It's a day to take time to remember and express gratitude.

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4. Yes..not a day for festivities but remembrance.

[Rhiannon12866]

5. Given what I saw today, not too many in my neck-of-the-woods are remembering

The tourist influx has begun. But I made a point of stopping by the cemetery to water my flowers and the flags are all out - though my Dad didn't need one, I took care of that myself a long time ago.

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6. I was happy the pyromaniacs were not out tonight.

They love their fireworks..sometimes for no occasion at all. My father was a Marine and my mom was in Navy Women’s Corp. Both survived their duties but my dad had an injury that caused him pain and a limp. I’m a post WWII baby and honor their service but thankful they made it home.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. My Dad and my uncles were too young for the war, but they all served

My Dad was radio operator on the U.S.S. Ranger and he had a lot of stories. And in a bizarre turn, he suffered a painful affliction to his foot in the '80s, which he called "foot fungus," that made it tough to wear a shoe. The doctor determined that he must have picked it up in the South Pacific during his time in the Navy!

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8. My dad was in the Pacific theatre..or so I think that's what they called it.

I think he was shot in the ankle but went back to duty. As an adult, he never talked about it and wore his western boots that were spit shined so well, I could see my eye lashes! He kept his early morning routines and worked out..not a bit of fat on him even when he got old! Marine to the end

[Rhiannon12866]

9. You have every reason to be proud of your Dad - and not talking about it isn't uncommon

My Dad didn't serve in time of war, but he did have interesting stories of storms he experienced on the aircraft carrier - like the time he had to lash himself to a desk on the bridge - or the effort to land planes on too short a runway which was moving! And my grandmother said that my grandfather (who I never met, he died when my Dad was 12. ) never talked about his experiences in WWI - he joined up with his brother and delivered ammunition to the front on horseback. I have his discharge papers. But she said he'd tell stories to the children, that was it.

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10. Ya have to wonder just how they survived except for using their wits

Or making something out of nothing that got the job done. Their training was invaluable when they came home to civilian life. I remember being told there’s no such thing as “can’t”. Whatever the problem was, there was a solution… great lessons to sharpen up common sense and no whining! Definitely no tears for this little girl, either! And I am so grateful even tho, at times, I wanted a MAC truck to run him over but as I grew up, I understood what he was trying to do for me and I told him how much I appreciated him and his love for me to grow up and be an independent woman. Nothing but respect for our men and women who served 🇺🇸

[Rhiannon12866]

11. Oh, I've felt much the same in my life

Since my Dad lost his own father at age 12, he had to grow up fast - though he was very fortunate to have a strong and capable mother. But since I was the first born, he expected much the same of me - so I often had resentments growing up, but fortunately I had him long enough that I could be there for him when he needed me. I still really miss him.

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12. Took me a while, and maybe you, too, but they only wanted the best for us..

Being little girls, I don’t think we understood that those lessons they taught us were because they loved us. When I turned 18 and got my driver’s license, I proudly proclaimed I was ready to drive and whose car could I have! He said mine but first ya gotta change/rotate the tires. He got the tools out and showed me how it’s done. With every pump of that jack, I swore he hated me and why is he so mean? He finally came out and asked me “do you know why I’m having you change these tires” and with my teeth clinched, I said no! He then told me that if I were to be driving and get a flat, I would know how to take care of it without relying on strangers or finding me dead in a ditch somewhere. After he was discharged, he became a cop and saw a lot of things he never wanted for his kids. I never realized how much I loved him for that until much later. Now, I have AAA 🤭

[Rhiannon12866]

13. I was a late driver since I was away at school from the time I was old enough to drive

And that boarding school was probably my biggest resentment. *sigh* And I wasn't driving all that long when a guy ran a red light and hit me - so my Dad got me a lawyer (a friend of his) and we took the guy to court, so I had to get up in front of a judge and testify, not something I enjoyed, but we won! And my Dad had done research on the guy who hit me and this was far from his first offense. But after that I was afraid to drive and my mother started driving me to work until my Dad stepped in and forced me to drive myself. And that's when he got me my first AAA subscription, which I still continue today.

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14. We had good protective dads who learned how to use their service training in life

After the battles of war. We are fortunate to have had a strong foundation to be the women we are today. I enjoy our conversations not knowing each other personally but in kindred spirit 🫶

[Rhiannon12866]

15. Thank you, and I couldn't agree more.

[lordsummerisle]

3. K&R n/t