Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July!  I have a ton of people at my house today, and there are fireworks tonight and Saturday night.  I'm looking forward to all the folderol.

In the meantime, have a great weekend wherever you are! 

Freedom's Flag -Postcard Friendship Friday #460

Today is Flag Day and this coming Sunday is Father's Day.  Dad will always be my hero. 

I love our country's flag.  My Father fought beneath it and for it during WW2.  He spoke of how that flag, those stars and stripes, symbolized his country and family--those things he loved best.  In the midst of blood and battle, when he saw our American Flag he took courage.

Dad is in heaven now--but I still remember the look in his eyes when he spoke of how our flag gave him courage to face the terrible things of war.

Happy Flag Day, Daddy.  I love you.

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Happy Fourth of July -Postcard Friendship Friday #414

Next Wednesday, Americans celebrate the day we won our independence from England.  In my town there is a marathon, a parade, and the waterfront teems with rides, crafts booths and good food.

Just before fireworks--the American Anthem is sung.  Our fireworks are beautiful and are set off over the Willamette River opposite Riverview Park.  It is a beautiful sight to see.

Happy Fourth of July, dear friends and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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We Will Stand by What's Right -Postcard Friendship Friday #413

Isn't this little fellow sweet?  I love this poem too.  Hurrah for the Red White and Blue!  In our little town of Independence flags and cheer are everywhere. 

Blessings and peace to you this lovely June day.  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday.

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Columbia, Gem of the Ocean -Postcard Friendship Friday #411

This is such a lovely postcard.  The little girl's jumper and starry apron are just charming, making it the perfect postcard to commemorate Flag Day.

However the title of this postcard had me baffled.  So, I did a little research. Columbia, Gem of the Ocean is the name of a song thought to have been composed by Thomas A Becket in 1843. 

For many years this song was the unofficial national anthem of America. However, in 1931 the Star Spangled Banner was officially adopted by Congress as the official national anthem of the United States.  Still, the song was very popular. So much so, in 1957, it was featured in the popular musical The Music Man.

I was also astonished to learn that in 1969, Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean was performed by a U.S. Navy Band aboard the USS Hornet, while the ship's helicopters recovered the Apollo 11 astronauts after they splashed down in the Pacific Ocean!  History is SO interesting and full of surprises. 

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  Happy Flag Day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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Happy Flag Day and Best Birthday Wishes -Postcard Friendship Friday #410

Somehow Blogger lost what I had scheduled for today, posting an exact copy of last week's PFF instead.  I have NO idea why, or where my original post went! Hence I am re-posting both Flag Day and Birthday vintage postcards for you this morning.

I have always loved the American flag, with its bright colors, symbolism and rich history.  This beautiful vintage postcard with our flag and the dear little children bearing bouquets of colorful flowers touches my heart.

The vintage postcard above is one of my favorites--its rich color and beauty of design fills my eyes.  As many of you know, my birthday is Flag Day.  So over the next few weeks I will be sharing some of my favorite vintage birthday postcards, along with those celebrating the American flag!

Happy Flag Day and have a lovely Postcard Friendship Friday! 

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The Lads They Loved so Dear -Postcard Friendship Friday #409

What a beautiful postcard.  By the style of the clothing this family wears, I surmise this vintage postcard is from the early 1900's around the time of WWI.  

Sadly, it seems the family pictured here has lost both husband and father.  In those days it would have been incredibly difficult for a widow to raise her family alone. Indeed, my heart goes out to all those who have lost their loved ones in war, regardless of which nation they defended.

Here in America, this is Memorial Day Weekend, a time of reflection and remembrance of the sacrifices our military men and women willingly made for family, home and country.  

Monday Memorial Day, all across our great country, Americans will specifically honor the soldiers who gave so much.  Their sacrifice is the reason we are free.

My family and I will visit Dad, a WW2 Veteran and a POW in Nazi Germany, at Willamette National Cemetery with its acres of flagged graves.  So many of them--the sight always brings me to tears.  I pray we will NEVER take any of these amazing individuals for granted.

God bless them all, and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday.  

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*  REMINDER:  If you post anything other than a postcard to share, your link will be removed.   Postcard Friendship Friday is specifically dedicated to postcards, both modern and vintage.  

One Flag, One Land -Postcard Friendship Friday #381

Today is Veteran's Day in the United States.  The soldiers in this vintage postcard have various uniforms, which I believe represent different eras of time.

My Family has records of young men fighting for what they believe in, clear down through the Civil War, and before that.  It is an honor to know about these brave soldiers.

Please take time to honor those who have fought for your liberty and freedom today.  Blessings to everyone and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday.

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*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Our Country Forever -Postcard Friendship Friday #364

I love my country, I love the flag.  I remember Daddy speaking of how precious the flag was to him on the battlefields of World War 2.  Captured by the Nazis in The Battle of the Bulge, my Father was a hero.  Though he once said heroes are very close to cowards.  He told me he did what he had to do to stay alive.

He marched through France in the bitter cold, and along with his fellow soldiers was packed into train cars so tightly the sick and dying stood with them as they traveled.  He was a prisoner of war for nine months at Stalag IX-B, also known as Bad Orb-Wegscheide, a prisoner of war camp  located south-east of the town of Bad Orb in Hesse, Germany, on the hill known as Wegscheideküppel.

When Dad returned, he was only 98 pounds, and his life was changed forever.  There is so much I wish I would have known, or asked about--only I didn't know he was captured in the Battle of the Bulge, or interred at a Nazi War camp until about 15 years before Daddy flew away to heaven.

He is my hero.  He fought for family and country--often the flag flew ahead of him--and he treasured that flag.  It was the symbol of home, family, freedom and country.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Happy Flag Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #361

This coming Wednesday is June 14--Flag Day!  I have love seeing all the flags waving from the sidewalks and buildings on that day.  When I was a little girl, I actually thought the flags were put out especially to celebrate my birthday!  Imagine how disappointed I was when I realized that wasn't so.  But I still love the way the flags look on Flag Day. 


The idea of a yearly day to honor the American Flag originated in 1885, when BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, this innovate teacher continued to advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'.

 For 30 years, on June 14^th local and state celebrations unofficially celebrated Flag Day - the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777.  The holiday was officially establishedby the Proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson on May 30th, 1916. But it was not until August 3rd, 1949, that President Truman signed an Act of Congress designating June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

 

When Can Their Glory Fade -Postcard Friendship Friday #359

I apologize for posting Postcard Friendship Friday later than usual.  I wanted to add some of the pictures we took on Memorial Day as we visited my Dad and Uncle Kelly's graves yesterday.  Our family has been bringing flowers to Daddy's grave on  Memorial  Day since he left us nearly five years ago.  He fought in WW2 and was a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany.  He was my hero.

This year we also visited Uncle Kelly.  We had been unaware Dad's younger brother had been buried in the same cemetery as Dad.  We left flowers on his grave, too.  It was a poignant moment for all of us.

May God bless the families and friends of all the brave men and women who have fought for their country and who sacrificed so much.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you! 

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them.

Thank you for Your Service -Postcard Friendship Friday #332

My sister Clytie has done a lot of study in the genealogy of our family.  She has discovered through both sides of our family, every generation of our family has fought for our freedom in one way or another.  Their stories of loyalty, honesty and integrity touches my heart.  Recently at a family reunion, I saw first-hand the helmet and uniform of one of our relatives who fought in WW1.  It was a poignant moment.

Today in America, we honor our brave Veterans.  I remember my Dad thoughtfully telling me that the one thing which kept him going through those months as a prisoner of war in Nazi Germany, was the knowledge he fought for family, country and flag--and for Freedom.  He could not stand the thought of anyone being oppressed and fought for the freedom of others as well.

God bless all of our veterans--those brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for their country, family and freedom.

May God bless you this Holiday season, dear Friends.  I can't believe how close Christmas is...where did the time go?  :D

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week! 

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*THEMES:  You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday.  Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them! 

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Fourth of July Greetings -Postcard Friendship Friday #319

Isn't this a beautiful postcard?  This is another from my "cyber" collection.  I love the flag, her Grecian draperies, that fierce Eagle with his wings out spread and those flaming cannons are wonderful!!!
Have a lovely Fourth of July.  Many of you are not from my country, so will not experience the celebration of freedom we have here.  Still, God bless you, dear ones, wherever you are.  ((hugs))
Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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*THEMES:  You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday.  Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them! 

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The Story of the American Flag -Postcard Friendship Friday #315

 I apologize for posting this so late.  I have been out of town and so busy I didn't have much time to be on the computer.  Yesterday was poignant as Mumsie, Sissie and I visited Daddy's memorial at the Willamette Veteran's Cemetery.  There is a powerful bond between the people who visit there.  Last year we met Andrea, who's Dad, Mike is just above Daddy.  Of all things, we saw her and met her husband this year--we were there at the same time, of all things!

Isn't this a fun postcard?  Smooching behind the flag--ah, young love.  

But the story behind Decoration Day is more serious.  Decoration Day started in 1866 after the American Civil War, when a Women's Association decorated the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. For a nation seeking to move on after a war which split the country, states, communities and even families, this loving gesture was welcomed as a way to lay the past to rest, while honoring those who had fought on either side.  This brought unity and healing to a war-torn, war-worn country.

Later on, Decoration Day became known as Memorial Day.

On May 30, 1870, General Logan gave an address in honor of the new commemorative holiday. He said:

"This Memorial Day, on which we decorate their graves with the tokens of love and affection, is no idle ceremony with us, to pass away an hour; but it brings back to our minds in all their vividness the fearful conflicts of that terrible war in which they fell as victims.... 

Let us, then, all unite in the solemn feelings of the hour, and tender with our flowers the warmest sympathies of our souls! Let us revive our patriotism and love of country by this act, and strengthen our loyalty by the example of the noble dead around us...." 

It is only recently my sister Clytie discovered an interesting story in our own family line.  There were two brothers, one fought for the Union, the other for the Confederacy.  Each were imprisoned in the opposite side's prison camp at the same time.  Strange.  I am SO grateful to the Women who set out to bring healing to our torn country so long ago.  I am sure that healing extended to those two young men.

Our Grandfather fought in WW1, Daddy fought in WW2, Uncle Jody fought in Vietnam, Uncle Kelly fought in Korea, my brother-in-law fought in Iraq, my nephew was in the armed forces until just recently.  I am grateful to the sacrifices which were made by SO many men and women over the years.  We owe our freedom and way of life to them. they are my heros.

God bless you, sweet Friends, and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!
  
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*THEMES:  You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday.  Just put up the postcards you love and tell us why you like them! 

*  A REMINDER:  Links which do not have to do with Postcard Friendship  Friday will be removed.  Links which advertise various products will share that same fate.  Any and all suspicious links will be reported to Blogspot then deleted.

Happy Fourth of July -Postcard Friendship Friday #271

 This postcard is from my "cyber" collection. I have a great affection for our country and its flag. I love history and the story of how our nation came to be is a great one. I pray for our country and our leaders each day. The truth is, our leaders need supernatural wisdom and guidance just now.  

Have a beautiful weekend, dear Friends. Thank you for dropping by, Happy Flag Day and Postcard Friendship Friday, too!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week!     

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Happy Labor Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #235

In the United States, every year just before school starts, there is a three-day weekend which is a celebration of the American labor movement.  We call it Labor Day. It is a national tribute to everyday ordinary American  workers who have contributed to  the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.  Though we have struggled these past years, in my opinion, America is still one of the greatest nations on earth. 

Here is a postcard featuring one of the greatest presidents in American history--Abraham Lincoln.  According to family legend, we are "shirt-tail" relations to this amazing man.  

Have a lovely day and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday! 

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American Hearts -Guest Heart Thursday

This does not have hearts in the picture--but it does have the word hearts!  I enjoyed the stunning borders of this postcard, and those children are adorable.  It appears the boy is a budding dress designer, eh?  He seems to be making the flag into a gown for the girl.

Happy Guest Heart Thursday, and Happy Fourth of July!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

The Spirit of Liberty -Postcard Friendship Friday #124

Saturday is Flag Day. Flag Day celebrates the day the American Flag was actually adopted as our own on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.  

In our town, flags line the sidewalks and fly from people’s houses.  This year, there is a new addition to the day’s celebration; The River’s Edge Music Fest!  There will be two stages, and a flock of famous bands and singers performing.  There's a likely audience of over 5,000 people flooding into town that day.  What fun!

And tomorrow is my birthday, too!  What a great day it will be.  Have a lovely weekend everyone, and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday! 

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Thursday.  Postcard Friendship Friday is open for the entire week! 

* BADGE:  When you submit a postcard, be sure to put a link back to this page.  You can copy and paste the PFF badge, which has the link embedded.  Thank you!

*  THEMES: You don't have to stick to the theme I choose each Friday. Just put up the pieces you love and tell us why you like them.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising will be deleted. Also, any and all suspicious links which do not lead to a correct website will be reported and deleted.