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05/31/19 04:56 PM #768    

William Anderson

In our remembrances, let's not forget those classmates of ours who lost their Dads in World War II. The Moms had to deal with their grief and figure out how they would survive and look after their kids, our classmates.

Bill Anderson


06/01/19 08:11 AM #769    

Mike Floyd

Thanks Bill and Linda.  My brother, sister and I were raised and put through college by a single mom.  I think about not just those that lost husbands in the war, but also those that had to deal with husbands that came home damaged by war.  A Vet once said he died in Vietnam, but just hadn't stopped breathing yet.

Once a year our yacht club takes a bus load Wounded Warriors out for a day on the water followed by steamed crabs.  I was surprised to find that more than half of these warriors were women.


06/01/19 12:38 PM #770    

 

Belle Landrum

First of all:  Happy Birthday, Mike.  Thank you for your efforts to keep all of us in touch with each other and for you updates.

Memorial Day or me has changed of the years - from a day out of school evolving to memories of my relatives who served in the army.  My father's oldest brother was killed in the fields in WWI.He was conscripted  in Richmond.  He was seventeen.  He was given two weeks of training and send to France.  Two weeks  later he was killed.  October 9th, right as the war was declared over.  This past week we put a flag on his grave as well as on another brother of my father's, and another uncle who had been a chaplane(sp), landing at Normandy and  at the Battle of the Bulge.  He always said  that General Patton saved him.  Now that I am older I remember these uncles and think of the awful things they must have seen.  I don't think my Father ever  got over the death of his oldest brother and the circumstances of his death. 

We are all so fortunate that our families served our country. We had care-free childhoods due to their service.

Marilyn I'm with you on the immigratioin situation (maybe I can learn to rap).  There is very little going on with Westhampton School.  B.S. had a groundbreaking last week, but they still haven't handed in a traffic study.  A year late and counting.  They should have gone to Westhampton and learned to  hand in things on time!  So far, they've gotten away with it.  I'll keep you posted as best I can.  Wish they would let people in  the school to find a keepsake or outside to take a brick.  I've heard that the Grove Ave. merchants want to take the over-the-creek playground for parking.  Well, it is a beautiful Spring in Richmond with dogwoods and roses blooming.  A place to enjoy life - as long as the tornados avoid us and streets aren't flooded.

 


06/01/19 01:27 PM #771    

 

Sally Kincannon (von Rumohr)

Well, this conversation has gone on long enough that I now feel compelled to jump in with my own story, especially since Mike has brought up the topic of “wounded warriors.” My dad served in the US Army, was stationed in Germany and France, was one of Patton’s drivers, was awarded a Gold Star for bravery, and ended his career with the rank of Major. He met me for the first time when I was 18 months old, he never talked about the war — what he had witnessed, how he had suffered both physically and emotionally. In 1945, there was no understanding of PTSD. The soldiers were simply expected to come home, put their memories behind them and carry on. Easier said than done. I understand that now. I wish I had then. My father was distant, absorbed in his war experience. He turned to alcohol — and read every book that came out about WWII. The experience absorbed him, colored his life (and mine). I only wish I had understood more about the effect such an experience could have on the human psyche. It changed lives, not just those who served, but the families they returned to. And THAT’s how important it is to observe Memorial Day.

06/01/19 02:15 PM #772    

 

Sally Kincannon (von Rumohr)

oops!  Bronze Star.....


06/01/19 04:17 PM #773    

 

Russell Flammia

Hi Sally

            What an interesting story about your Dad. I'm sorry some of it was sad but interesting. If he were here I'd certainly thank him for what he did. Thank you so much for sharing. He may have had PTSD but he also had two wondeful children.  God Bless. 


06/02/19 09:38 AM #774    

 

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Sally thank you for sharing your story. Sometimes I think George and I had an advantage since we were both veterans. We could share stories and talk about a lot of experiences with each understanding. We were back in Vietnam 2 years ago and that was a very interesting experience. He really wanted to go back and see if his service had done any good. My thoughts and prayers to all in Virginia Beach 


06/02/19 06:11 PM #775    

 

Belle Landrum

May I change the subject rather radically?

I assume most of us went to a house of worship or adult meetings fairly often and joined in the singing.  When I was young, perhaps, Jr. Primary One age, there were hymns that I  did not quite hear the words.  So, I sang what I thought I heard.  The one I remember best was the hymn " Love Lifted Me" in which I thought they were singing "love Lipton tea" so I joined right in.  Much later when my grammar school pupils auditioned for choir, I had them sing "My country 'tis of Thee....  Invaribly they sang...land where the pilgrams cried OR  land where my father died...  I did not correct them.

  I've always wanted to make a collection of these and was wondering if any of you had and did the same thing at some point in your childhood or heard some from others. It could have been any song or reading. It might be fun for all of us if you would share them.  (please).

Belle


06/03/19 09:28 AM #776    

 

Jo-Ann Olkowski

My Dad was career Army in the Corp of Engineers.  Prior to going overseas during Operation Overlord (D-Day) his outfit was in NC remapping a portion of the Atlantic coastline - German U-Boats (submarines) were known to be off our coast.  Dad was a talented artist and despite only an 8th grade education his math skills were extremely high.  He went to war in Europe and lost two younger brothers KIA in France and both of whom are buried in one of our American Cemeteries there.  He later served in Korea where he was badly injured and sent home on a medical discharge.  He also lost cousins in WWII.  So, yes, I definitely thank our Veterans every time I see them.


06/03/19 06:10 PM #777    

 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Jo-Ann- That explains your patriotism.  

Since moving to Arizona and seeing a lot of unnecessary pain and suffering in various parts of the State (which is only 100 years old), I have seriously wondered about the words to the last sentence of the Star-Spangled Banner:  "Land of the free."  I know there are many people in this country who are "Brave," but whenever I have read the News during the past 30 years, I have questioned  the word: "Free."  In many circumstances, it all depends on who is speaking and where they live.  Our American  society is so stratified, we often take for granted the freedoms that we have had, in contrast to those at "the other end of the economic scale," who are "held back" from reaching their goals due to many generations of insurmountable odds: lack of money, lack of opportunity, lack of community support, etc. I have cheered on those of the next generation who have become the first in their family to finish high school, obtain a job, or graduated from college.

There were young people who were trained at our local Marine Base and who sacrificed their lives in order to fulfill their dream of becoming United States Citizens.  The first local casualty in Yuma during the War in Afghanistan was a young man from Mexico who was a graduate of our local high school and its leading football star, and was killed in the line of duty as he practiced in Yuma  to defend our country, of which he was not yet a Citizen.......... A Native American woman from "The Hopi Reservation"  died in Iraq as she drove a jeep through enemy lines to deliver supplies to her troop. She is memorialized by having the second highest mountain, Piestewa Peak, and a major expressway in Phoenix, Piestewa Parkway, named after her, instead of the former titles: "Squaw Peak Mountain" and "Squaw Peak Parkway.".... It took over 100 years to remove the derogatory name. The fact that these two and many others have attempted to rise above their status and could not reach their goals during their lifetime gives me pause to wonder if "Freedom" is really FREE!......If you read U.S. History, you will also learn many stories about Afro-American slaves and Irish and Scotch immigrants who built The White House for little or NO salary, and whose descendents may still be living in poverty in the slums of Baltimore and the District of Columbia, where students lack teachers, modern textbooks, updated schools, and recreational facilities. In Arizona, it took 10 years to pass Legislation to declare Martin Luther King Day as a State Holiday! ..........Our prisons are full of those who are Falsely Accused and only a fraction of them are Released after years of incarceration for a crime they did not commit. America needs to question the phrase "Land of the Free."  It is a "Euphemism" to me!  We think we are so lucky, but there are many who are NOT!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Belle- I always had trouble remembering the words to "The Chipmunk's Christmas Song!" All through my childhood,  I used to make up the words to the last 4 lines!  But my younger daughter heard the song on the radio when she was a little girl, picked them up immediately, and sang them to me! To this day, I have to ask for help with that song every December, rather than embarass myself at holiday gatherings!


06/03/19 08:03 PM #778    

William Anderson

Belle, I sing so poorly that my only memory was from about 3rd. grade at Mary Mumford where the teacher said something along the lines of "Anderson, just mouth the words". I guess that was a safe bet for her and me.


06/04/19 12:06 PM #779    

 

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

, Well I think I was about in 3rd grade also when we were trying out for a choir in singing class. After I sang “ My Country “, there was a lot of snickering. The teacher told the class that at least I knew the words . I was put near the boys bass section . Carrying a tune was not in my repertoire.


06/04/19 01:09 PM #780    

 

Belle Landrum

Hello Everyone ----I didn't intend to make singers of all of you.  I'm trying to get you to think back when you sang with loud voice the words you thought were there.  Hence, my "Love Lipton Tea".  Or perhaps words you made up when you didn't know the real words,or even those  verses you made up (about a teacher or professor!)  that fit a familiar tune.  I Know I wasn't the only one in my innocence that sang what ever seemed right at the time.  For my blunder I guess I was rewarded at Madison (JMU) with all the songs we sang on the steps to the dining room, waiting for the doors to open.  Some of them were set to old army tunes from WWI and WWII.  o, when you are sitting down in the shade, drinking for lemonade, pull up your memories.

Class dismisssed!


06/04/19 02:01 PM #781    

 

Lois Pollard

Belle:  Years ago in San Francisco we had a columnist who would occasionally write about mishearings such as these; they're called mondegreens. I never had a hymn one, but there was a pop song with the lyric "kind of a drag," and I thought it was an ad for Canada Dry. Thanks for this distraction!

 


06/04/19 03:16 PM #782    

 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Lois, You are funny! "It's kind of a drag, when your baby don't love you!"  (PS-I LOVE "Canada Dry Gingerale!") 

I am trying to remember the words I made up to the Chipmunk's Christmas Song!  I will have to ask my daughter what the real words are!!


06/07/19 11:37 AM #783    

Mike Floyd

Survey

  1. How many of you watched the movie The Longest Day this week?  Last Night
  2. When was the first time you saw this film.? I saw if in Raleigh while in College in 1962 or 1963.
  3. How many time have you seen the film?  Between 6 and 10 time.

06/07/19 05:21 PM #784    

 

Belle Landrum

I have seen the Longest Day  twice, iincluding this past weekend.

 


06/07/19 07:59 PM #785    

 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

I've seen it once or twice. I think Joel has probably seen it more than I have!  I don't always understand the "political negotiations" in "War Stories" & I don't like watching bloodshed!  There was a "Special" on  Educational TV about "Ian Fleming," and after watching it, I wondered WHY he was seen as such a "Hero," when he was actually such a ""Cad!". War stories bring out "The Worst in Me!". I have watched less and less tv shows, the older I get!  Maybe I'm regressing! Unless I see less violence and more humor and creativity, I prefer to keep my tv turned off!  We will never see tv stars again like John Wayne and Audie Murphy,  but until we do, I'll just wait until they surface, rather than recycling "old movies!"  

 


06/08/19 08:11 AM #786    

 

Jo-Ann Olkowski

The Longest Day ... a spectacular movie with an amazing cast.  I've watched it many times.  Had it been scheduled on tv here I would have watched it again.  Don't forget that in real life many big name actors of that era put their movie careers on hold and served their country during that time.

Another great movie was actually an old HBO series that ran for weeks - Band of Brothers.  I happened to see a package of the entire series redone on some 8 or 10 discs - AND on sale!  I snapped one up in less than a heartbeat!  The theme music alone takes my breath away!  At the time the series was made many of the real soldiers were still alive and shared their stories and memories on each episode.

Saving Private Ryan is probably the best recent movie.  I don't know if it was partially based on a real life story of a family (I think from Iowa) who had 4 or 5 sons, all of whom were KIA in WWII.  A ship was later named for them - the USS O'Sullivans - it's docked in Buffalo, NY and is a museum.

Jo-Ann


06/08/19 09:04 AM #787    

 

Linda Fiske (Wehrle)

Well George and I have lost count but between 6 or 8 times. And we have been to Normandy  and the cemetery as his uncle is buried there. 


06/08/19 03:29 PM #788    

 

George Armstrong

Hi Mike,  Don’t recall whe I first saw it nor exactly how many times, but several.  Thanks for the reminder.  I just found it on demand on TCM.  Have began watching it.  Surrounding the movie is a discussion of it — Ben Mankiewcz with Rob Citino.  They have started off talking about the role the French resistance played and will be talking about what went right and what went wrong on D-Day.  Has there ever been a movie with a more impressive list of actors?   Rob Citino latest book (2017) entitled, “The Wermacht’s Last Stand,” is a triology about the downfall of the German army.  I am hoping to read it this summer.  So, the answer as to when I last saw it is “in progress.”  Have a good ‘en.

 

 


06/08/19 06:14 PM #789    

 

Andy Bendheim

Mike, I actually took Stephanie Birkhead to the pre release screening of The Longest Day at the Willow Lawn Theater!

Andy Bendheim


06/08/19 11:16 PM #790    

 

John Whitfield

I watched it on 6/6/19.  I have watched it almost every time that it has been on TCM.  I saw if first when it came to the theater in Richmond.  I went to see it because I had read the book, which, like most books was better than the movie.

 


06/16/19 09:04 AM #791    

 

Marilyn Wolfe (Ruben)

Happy Father's Day to All You Dads Out There!  Thanks for all the work you have done in the past & are still doing, to provide for your family's needs!  And thanks for all the lessons of life you have taught your kids along the way!  We appreciate all this and for those Dads who are in Heaven, We Miss You more than words can say!


07/03/19 09:41 PM #792    

 

Belle Landrum

HELLO, EVERYONE...iT LOOKS LIKE EVERYONE HAS BEEN BUSY - I'M THE FIRST IN JULY.I HOPE FOR YOU, TOO, THAT THE FOURTH OF JULY HAS ALWAYS BVEEN SPECIAL.  I DON'T REMEMBER TOO MUCH OF MY RICHMOND TIME AS A CHILD.  tHE CHILDREN (ME) COULD LIGHT SPARKLERS AND LATER A FFIRECRACKER OR TWOIF YOU PUT IT ON A FENCH POST.  mY FONDESS MEMORIES ARE FROM EVANSTON IL.   YOU'D WAKE UP IN THE MORNING HEARING DISTANT FIRECRACKERS GOING OFF.  IT SORT OF SET UP THE DAY.  EVANSTON HAD A  PARADE.  i WAS USED TO RICHMOND PARADES WITH ALL THE FLOATS AND SCHOOL BANDS.  EVANSTONS TOOK WOME GETTING USE TO, FOR ME, BUT I CAME TO ENJOY THEM.  THERE WERE SEVERAL BANDS, A  FLATBED TRUCK WITH FIRENDS FROM ONE NEIGHERHOOD PLAYING DIXIELAND MUSIC.  THEY ONLY GOT TOGETHER FOR THE FOURTH. ZILLIONS OF BATON TWIRLERS(SP), BOY SCOUTS, ETC.   ANY GROUP THAT WANTED TO "MARCH" DID SO!  THAT WAS THE KICKER FOR ME.  THERE WAS ONE AGE 30'S GROUP THAT ALWAYS HAD A DIFFERENT THEME.  WAY BACK WHEN WHEN THE RUSSIAN OLYMPIC TEAMS WERE ACCUSED OF HAVING MEN ON THE LADIES' TEAM. ALL WERE IN RED TIGHTS TOP TO BOTTOM.  THE STARS WERE THE MEN WITH GREAT BLOND WIGS, HIDDEN SHOULDER PADS AND BARBELLS.  gREAT FIREWORKS.  AND CHICAGO'S FIREWORKS COULD MATCH ANYONE'S.  THE CHI SYMPHONY ALWAYS GAVE A CONCERT, ENDING WITH THE  1812 OVERTURE ACCOMPANYING THE FIREWORKS.

WELL, I'VE TAKEN FAR TOO MUCH SPACE HERE,  I WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY AND PERHAPS   A PLAYING OF "I'M A YANKEE DOODLE DANDY" WITH JAMES CAGNEY DANCING.


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