Tags
Allies, Flags, Freedom, Gratitude., KIA, Patriotic Tree, USMCR, Veterans, War heroes, WWII
Today is the 4th of July, Independence Day, the day we celebrate our country’s freedom, and (hopefully) pause long enough to say a prayer for our brave men and women in harm’s way today. For the families who find it bittersweet to celebrate, grill hamburgers and hotdogs, and watch fireworks today.
In my home, every day is Independence Day.
[And no, not because I artfully ignore directives dear hubby gives me, just because I can. There was a reason I took 'obey' out of my marriage vows.]
Our Patriotic Tree began as a belated post-Christmas plan to redecorate it for the seasons. Four months later, it still needed a season. Memorial Day approached, quickly followed by The Fourth of July. So, I chose red, white, and blue.
Just because.
But, as I decorated my tree, I began to think of our troops and their families. Those together for a short window before deploying, and those already deployed. Those families mourning the loss or injury of a loved one. Those wounded troops, scarred by battle, back on USA soil. Those who bravely fought and sacrificed and safely returned.
And, the SEASON jumped to REASON.
A reminder, a reason to pause each day and remember; to say a prayer of gratitude to and safe return hope for our troops. Just because we, as American’s can.
A plaque joined the tree.
I am a Patriotic Tree, Proud to Stand until our troops come home. *In memory of those who gave their lives for our freedoms, in gratitude to those who serve, and to their families*
THE FATHER-IN-LAW I NEVER MET
While pictures of this type are more traditionally published on Memorial Day, it joins The Patriotic Tree as a stark reminder of other homes, where similar pictures, carefully preserved flags, and reminders of loved ones who will never come home.
JOHN HUTCHISON RICHARD
PVT. USMCR
KILLED IN ACTION
7 March 1945
Two shelves on one of my bookcases honor my husband’s father, a man he barely knew, and a man I never met. A brave man.
He was part of the first wave of brave Marines on Iwo Jima.
The bronze plaque reads:
.
.
The World War II books need no explanation, nor does my husband’s fascination with that war. The picture is a professional photo my MIL insisted they take before he deployed. The angel? It’s only fitting, as is the unintentional flash between the angel and that picture.
A SHOUT OUT FOR FLAGS
We have not fought these many wars alone. Ours is not the only country who fought to make and keep us free. Opposing sides in one conflict united to fight in another.
I would love to honor the sacrifices of our friends, other nations, whose young and brave fought beside ours.
I would love to add flags to the patriotic tree to recognize and honor those countries. So, if you have a small flag to add to The Patriotic Tree, please email me directly at gloria(at)gloriarichardwrites(dot)com. I’ll proudly display your country’s flag with ours.
BE SAFE and enjoy your 4th of July with family and friends. If fireworks add to your patriotic glee, for the sake of all that is beautiful — from sea to shining sea — please attend a professional and well-monitored fireworks display. We’ve lost too many trees, grasslands, and homes to wildfires this year.
PINGBACK LOVE
When I wrote the comments referencing family sacrifice, I thought of a blog by our own myWANA founder, WANA International co-founder, and blog guru, Kristen Lamb. In her Memorial Day post, she gave me an inside look at the pain faced by the spouse of a brave man about to deploy. In her own words: “I love my country, and my family has been in the military for countless generations. Yes, we were the rowdy clan that got booted out of Scotland because we didn’t play well with the English. The military was in my blood and so was the life that went with it…and yet here I was still utterly unprepared.“
Please don’t stop with that one taste. Click on the link and read her emotive post, sprinkled with her signature humor hits.
Today’s Life List Club post by Lara Schiffbauer in her Four Reasons I’m proud to be an American hits the patriotic heart.
History Fiction author, K.B. Owen, gives us a sample of what celebrations were like 100 years ago by combing through New York Times Articles. I <strong>love</strong> the historical twist she put on this day in her post titled Happy Fourth, 100 years ago.
The blog-o-sphere overflowed with patriotic posts today–too many for me to mention here. If you have one, please put it in comments and I’ll feature the link.
What a wonderful tribute to family members as well as all those serving. I am indeed grateful for the men and women who make great sacrifices for me and the US everyday. My dad served in the US Army.
He would have been asked to stand as the Army anthem played during our church service on Sunday, Brinda.
They played anthems from all branches of armed forces and we applauded their service, sacrifice and bravery.
Gloria, I was honored to see your tree, such a beautiful yet somber display of heartfelt gratitude. We will shop for your Canadian flag when you’re here.
Love the unintentional flash. Could we read something more into it? Yes. No. Maybe.
I choose Yes.
I chose yes, too, Sherry. That’s why I didn’t take another picture.
Yes. We will get a Canadian flag (or two) to proudly display on the patriotic tree.
It’s a reminder that The USA did not stand alone.
I’m still amazed by the speed and generosity with which the Canadians responded to the September 11 tragedy, taking so many planes safely from the skies.
What a beautiful tribute! *wipes tears*. God bless you and have a wonderful 4th.
Blessings pinging your way, too, Jenny. Thanks so much for being such a faithful follower.
Lovely tribute to all servicemen and women from the past to the present. Your Patriotic Tree is such a great idea. I’m sitting here thinking of my relatives who have served in past wars (WWII, Korean, Vietnam), the impact it had on their lives, and subsequently on the lives of their immediate families. Such a profound ripple effect.
Love your shout-out for other flags, too. I hope you receive some to add to your tree because as you pointed out, many other countries have sacrificed alongside ours as well.
I know Canada is covered.
Sherry Isaac and I plan to handle that when I visit her later this month. (Nineteen sleeps! Woot!)
I need to nudge Nigel Blackwell. Let him know we forgave the Brits a long time ago.
Thanks for your visit and comments. GRATITUDE to your family present and gone-to-a-better place who served to make today’s July 4th celebration possible.
Before seeing yours, I had never heard of a 4th of July Tree. I love it. I think for many of us, a reminder, a visual one, is often necessary to help put into prospective how important something is or was. If it’s not right there in front of us, we can pretend it does’t exist. We should — at least a little — be put out of sorts today. Many suffered so we could have today, and because we have it, we can rejoice and be filled with gratitude.
Thank you for your words, Gloria. Hope you and yours have a wonderful 4th of July.
~ Cara
The same hope for you and yours, Cara–that you have a wonderful day.
I love to leave a little Christmas around the house after the season ends. Something unexpected that fills my heart with memories.
The year my Patriotic Tree became part of my permanent decor, I chose to procrastinate on taking down the decorations and stowing the tree. Best intentions for Valentines Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter came and went.
When I decorated in preparation for Memorial Day and Independence Day, I knew. I knew the tree had to stand year ’round and for all holidays. Because, somewhere, there are families with loved ones who can’t be with them.
It seemed the least I could do in gratitude.
[This year's left alone bit-of-Christmas is a porcelain plaque with red, white and green. It says, "I'll have my elves get right on that." My elves went missing. Sigh.]
What a beautiful testament, Gloria. Every time I pick up the paper, there’s a story of someone, somewhere being tortured, persecuted or incarcerated for speaking out against their government. In those moments I feel such gratitude to have been born in a free country. I would add a Canadian flag to your tree for all our soldiers who fight and die for human rights.
I’m counting on both you and Sherry to provide Canadian flags when I see you in July. I’ll post pics when I proudly add them to our tree!
On Independence Day, it’s refreshing to celebrate our nationality. Some may not set aside politics for the day — especially those running for office — but, I truly pay no attention to them today. Today is about “we the people…”
I, too, grieve for those who suffer under tyranny.
Gloria, every Fourth of July I remember the man who traveled across an ocean to give this life to me.
This says what I truly feel. Please enjoy this tribute by Lee Greenwood:
Oh, Florence. You outdid yourself with this comment and video. Thank you so much for adding the extra oomph to this post.
You’re the best. I, too, am grateful that man made the journey and brought your talent and heart to our country.
I’m so lucky my father returned from Vietnam. He lost every one of his friends and received two Purple Hearts. He wore a mustache until his 50th birthday. It was a joke with his comrades that he might look old enough to shave it off at that age. As a tribute he kept it all those years, and the morning of his 50th he shaved it off.
Yes, Ciara you are so lucky your father returned from Vietnam.
I remember when friends had older brothers drafted for that war. It was heart-wrenching for my friends, and for me. How does one say goodbye to someone whose odds of returning unharmed seem insurmountable?
God bless your father for his service and thank God he returned. If he were on my patio, I’d stand and applaud him. Something our Vietnam Vets didn’t properly receive during those turbulent times.
The reason boomers carry Vietnam and all those who served, were injured or lost their lives there is that we never want to forget them. Never forget any of them!!
Lovely tribute, Gloria.
Thanks, Catherine. Hope you and yours had a safe and enjoyable Independence Day.
Gorgeous tribe Gloria – very moving and touching and I LOVE it! I can’t wait to see the Canadian flag that you and Sherry will pick out as part of the tree…squeee!!!
Hey, Nat! It’s a mere 7-9 hour drive from your home in New Brunswick to Sherry’s house.
I’m driving days to get that close. It’s time for a road trip for you and Blog Heckler Hubby. BBQ on the 26th. Just bring yourselves and a covered dish. Content of that covered dish is optional. I’m thinking “nothing” fits that gorgeously undefined requirement.
Bring your own flag to add. The more the merrier. See you then! .
You are more than welcome to splash in the hot tub with us, Natalie, but before you gas up and pump your tires, Gloria once suggested I drive up to Banff to spend an afternoon with her. Yes, from Toronto. For the afternoon. Drive. Uh-huh.
Psssssssst, Sherry
I’m working a
scamdeal here. You are not helping.Loved this patriotic post, my friend. Such a great way to remember. My Mom was a WWII Marine so I really relate. Loves.
I remember, HS buddy, Chris.[Squee!] I always thought it was so cool your mom was a Marine. Absolutely a wonderful, independent woman. Especially when she let you go shopping with her CREDIT CARD. I was in awe.
Your very first comment on my glob. I’m thrilled!
I see you’ve set up your own blog to journal your new, exciting retirement journey. I love, love, love the R theme for your “what-do-we-do-in-retirement?”
You wasted no time getting an on-line journal set up. Yea, you!
I can’t wait to read what
troubleadventures you and Jim hatch.I’ll be over to comment soon. NICE toes, btw!
Ahhhh….you’re so sweet!!! I’ll buff up my toes just for you!!
Oooh! LOVE the Boston cooler. I’d make one right now but (1) I have no cantaloup, and (2) I’ve sworn off all things sweet until I lose what I used to be able to call my Winter Fluff around the middle. Um. Hello? It’s July!
In retirement play Jimmy Buffet. It’s 5 o’clock somewhere. Right? Your backyard is the perfect setting for Parrot Heads.
I don’t see that you’re taking comments yet, or I would have let you know I was over there. I’ll be
stalkingfollowing you and Jim on your journey.Great article, Gloria, and a beautiful tribute. Hope you had a good fourth.
Nigel
Thanks, Nigel. I would be proud to display the Union Jack on my tree.
In case you failed to notice, we forgave you long ago.
What’s not to love about a country that is a close ally, birthed and raised Nigel, and gave us words like gobsmacked, kerfuffle, knickers, and canoodling.
You’re blushing over that last one, aren’t you? Don’t lie. I know you are.
Yes, I am blushing, but I’m also chuffed to bits that your education is so complete
Cheers!
Internal musing…
Must I admit I Googled chuffed to bits to learn it meant delighted rather than cheesed off?
Yes, it means to be very happy with something!
Cheers!
Clicked expecting Snark and instead got a sniffle. Very nice post Gloria. Hope the fourth was a good day for you, and it’s a lovely tree.
The next glob click will have snark, Jessica. I promise. It’s hard to find a way to snark my way through a post about our heroes.
The fourth would have been a delightful day had I been able to celebrate somewhere other than Texas heat.
Do you have a tree in your back yard large enough to accommodate a luxury tree house? With extension cords for electricity?
Just asking. No reason. Really.