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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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!     

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In Memory of our Heroes -Postcard Friendship Friday #358

Next weekend is Memorial Day, when everyone across America will honor those who have fallen in war.  I am posting this in honor of my Father, who fought in WW2, Uncle Keller who fought in the Korean War, Uncle Jody, who fought in the Vietnam War, and dear Grandpa who was a soldier in WW1.  There are others of our family who fought in the Civil war when America was still very young.

Though these brave men lived through those wars, their families often felt the brunt of their time away, defending their country.  War is ugly and it leaves scars. 

God bless the family and friends of all those who have taken a stand for home and family--and the country they loved so dearly.

* 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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Monday is the Fourth of July! -Postcard Friendship Friday #320

In America we celebrate our independence on the Fourth of July.  

In years past, I have looked forward to the Fourth of July almost as much Christmas.  This is the second Fourth of July since my Beloved flew away to heaven, so it is a bittersweet holiday for me.  In my mind's eye, I can see my brawny husband striding through the crowds, greeting people, clapping them on the back, cracking jokes.  I can almost hear his laughter.  I miss him with all my heart during the holidays.  There is an ache in my heart that won't go away.  None the less--there is still joy and happiness to be found. 

In our small town of Independence we celebrate with a parade, waterfront complete with live music, booths, food--all next to the Willamette river.  In the evening there are fireworks over the Willamette River--it is the best fireworks display this side of the Mississippi, or so I'm told.  (grin) Of course, we are all biased.  I think of all the parades which have happened since my home was built in 1896 and I marvel.


I've heard that better than 80,000 people (or more, this year) will be flooding into town this weekend for the holiday.  The Fourth also coincides with Western Days, so it will get a bit wild around here.

In the evening, we walk to the fireworks and back. For me, it is a cozy feeling to light a big bonfire in the fire pit out back, to roast marshmallows and watch all the people trying to leave town at the same time.

Have a blessed weekend, dear Friends.

* 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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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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Decoration Day

Today is Decoration Day, otherwise known as Memorial Day--a time when we remember American soldiers who fought for our country, those who died in battle and those who have slipped away to heaven since. 

God bless America, may we always be grateful for our freedom and never forget that freedom was bought with a price.

Decoration Day -Postcard Friendship Friday #174

May thy sweet blosoms

Never cease

To bloom in love and

Trust and peace.

So begins American's celebration of her freedom, fought so bravely many years ago. 

I went in to have oral surgery done yesterday, but had to postpone.  My blood pressure was too high.  SO I am on a plethora of pills and still feel a bit groggy from the stuff they gave me yesterday.  I'll be facing surgery after the Fourth of July.  I suppose that is for the best.  In the meantime, everyone, have a GREAT weekend!

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His Soul goes Marching On - Postcard Friendship Friday #122

Every Fourth of July there is a huge shindig in our little town of Independence.  There is a marathon run, a parade, wonderful stuff down by the waterfront, music and fireworks.  It is a great place to be for the Fourth of July.  We moved here 12 years ago July 4th.  So much has changed since then--and yet so much is the same.

I am grateful for my family, friends, my country and especially for this lovely little town of Independence.

*  DON'T FORGET:  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!

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Here's to the Red, White and Blue - Postcard Friendship Friday #121

Thank you for your patience this morning--I spent all of yesterday helping a friend move and with all the catch-up I had this morning, I'm late!

I am sure, from the style of the clothing these women are wearing, this was right around 1900.  

This postcard is poignant to me.  It comes to mind that at the time this postcard was printed my Grandfather was a young man, who would serve in WW1.  WW2 had not happened.  The Korean War, Vietnam War---all of those had not even happened yet.  It is a tiny bit like going back into the past to a more innocent time.

I had never heard the poem before, or what the colors of the American flag stood for...

Here's to the red, white and blue

the colors our good Flag bears:

Red stands for Love that's true.

White for purity in all our affairs;

And Blue that's true, stands for Fidelity.

While all three stand for Liberty.

Have a lovely day, everyone!

*  DON'T FORGET:  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!

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Lest We Forget - Postcard Friendship Friday #117

In every country from the beginning of  time there are legends of heros who defended home, hearth and country.

In America, this is the day we honor all brave Warriors who have gone on before.  Their lives made a difference in ours.

God bless everyone this Memorial Day Weekend.

*  DON'T FORGET:  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!

*  NOTE: 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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Our Country Forever - Postcard Friendship Friday #70

NOTE: 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! Have fun everyone!

Living in the United States, it is sometimes hard to fathom there are people who live in places where they are not allowed the freedoms to which I am accustomed.    Where I live, we celebrate our rare Freedom with a parade, waterfront park activities such as live music and two nights of fireworks.  Once known as Decoration Day, the Fourth of July is a major American Holiday.

This week our town's newspaper printed the Declaration of Independence, which took up one whole page.  I read through the entire thing.  I haven't read it through since I was in school.  What an incredible document.

The Declaration of Independence is a justification of the American Revolution, citing grievances against King George III.   It is also a landmark philosophical statement, drawing on the writings of philosophers John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau.   It affirms all people are creatures of God, with certain natural rights, or liberties, which cannot be violated.

This Declaration and the American Revolution have since inspired freedom-seekers the around the world. I am so grateful to have been born in America, where the rights of all citizens are upheld.  

I hope we never take our freedom for granted.

* Don't forget to visit Gemma at Greyscale Territory for Weekend Mailbox!

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