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! 

Uncle Sam is a Blast! -Postcard Friendship Friday #462

This postcard is so colorful and perfect for American's Fourth of July celebration.  However, I still can't help shuddering a little when I see how close the firecracker is to that boy's face as he lights it!  Vintage postcards sometimes have the most unlikely images.

In the meantime, next Thursday, here in the USA, we celebrate the Fourth of July.  I'm looking forward to friends and family arriving and the fun and fellowship we will share.

I am grateful for the freedom we have in America.  God bless America!  Happy celebrations, and Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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

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Riding a Rocket -Postcard Friendship Friday #461

I love these vintage Fourth of July postcards.  Their bright colors and total disregard for the safety of  children is amazing!  Though I have to admit, riding on a rocket like this young fellow, seems like it might be great fun.

When I was a little girl, I can remember sitting on Daddy's shoulders watching fireworks.  We would go to the Alpenrose Dairy every Fourth of July.  It was a grand tradition for years and years.

These days there's a fabulous parade which goes right past my place, as well fireworks over the river only four blocks away.  We have a big potluck that day and lots of folks come to sit and watch the parade.

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays.  It nearly rivals Christmas!

Have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are, dear Friends!  Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Friday.  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.

*  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.

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.

* LINKING UP:  You can put your link in any time between now and next Friday.  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.

*  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.

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.

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!

* 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! 

*  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.

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!
  
* 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! 

*  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.

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!

* 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.

*  REMINDER: Comments and links which contain advertising will be deleted. 

The Brave Die, NEVER - Postcard Friendship Friday #65

Today we honor our brave Warriors who have gone on before.  Their lives made a difference in ours.

God bless everyone this Memorial Day Weekend.

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday!

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

Fly the Flag and Hug the Cat - Postcard Friendship Friday #13

NOTE to those who are new to PFF:  Postcard Friendship Friday was started by Marie, who because of her loss of sight, handed it over to me. Marie’s idea was for people to post their postcards, then visit each other’s blogs to view them. PFF is NOT a place for people to sell, or advertise ephemera. This is an event where FRIENDS who love postcards interact.  If you are selling or advertising, the link to your blog will be removed.

It is Memorial Day Weekend, a time when many people visit cemeteries and memorials to honor those who have died in the line of duty.  Memorial Day was first observed in Waterloo, New York in 1866.  In 1968 US Congress created a three-day holiday.  In 1971 the law moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May.

One tradition is to fly the United States flag at half-staff from dawn until noon.  Volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries.  In our little town, American flags bravely bloom all along the sidewalks for the duration of the weekend.

Families often gather for fun, games and picnics.  Barbecued foods are VERY popular on this holiday.  One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, an auto race which has been held during the Memorial Day holiday since 1911.

Today is also Hug Your Cat Day!  There is plenty of documentation that this holiday is celebrated world wide--though some do so on May 28th, others on May 30th. 

No one knows how this holiday originated, but it is a splendid Idea.  It is a proven fact the Friendship of an animal, can actually lower a person's blood pressure.  The holiday is celebrated by spending time with one's cat, giving them extra special attention. Cats and humans have had a long history of Friendship.  In 2004, a grave was excavated in Cyprus which contained the skeletons of a cat and a human being laid close to one another.  The grave is estimated to be 9,500 years old!

The Clustered Stars of Flag Day

This is a postcard from my "Cyber Postcard Collection." I adore the graceful composition of this lovely piece.

I was born on Flag Day. For years and years I believed flags were flown on Flag Day in celebration of my birth. (grin) As a child I was disappointed when I learned the truth. But as adult, I don't mind so much, that really--flags are flown on this day to honor our country's Flag.

Our Flag has stood for liberty and the pursuit of happiness for over 200 years! Compared to many countries America is quite youthful. I hope and pray our flag will stand and fly for hundreds of years to come. I pray that the courage, bravery, faith, truth and sacrifice this country was built upon will not falter.