Please take a moment today to remember all of the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Services during all of the wars.

Veterans Day is a day the U.S. honors U.S. Veterans of the U.S Armed Services. In 1954 it was renamed to Veterans’ Day, in order to honor victims of all wars. It was initially named Armistice Day, a day established to honor Veterans of WWI.

The World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. is a tribute to all the U.S. Armed Forces who served during WWII, and is a tribute to those who served on the home front and our Allied forces.

My Father was a WWII Veteran…this photo was taken Veteran’s Day 2005, when my brother and I flew to Long Island, NY, to visit his gravesite, and to leave stones which I brought from California, where my mommy had died one year ago to the day. My dad was Jewish, a man who believed in his country and in his faith. He saw the unspeakable atrocities of the Holocaust while in the U.S. Army. He died in 1960 at the age of 45. He has been gone longer than his life span…it boggles my mind.

You are always missed and loved, my dear daddy. There is a rose bush I planted in your honor in my mind, and it blossoms all of the time. You and Mom flourish together, a few feet apart in my mind’s flower garden. I remember watching you cradle plants in your hands, as you began to plant them or pruned them. I felt so touched by the sight of you, and it moved me to tears to see your love of earth and life. I’ve inherited your love of the earth, your love of planting rose bushes and other plants…they are a constant joy to me. My dear daddy, may your memory be for a loving Blessing. Yitgadal viyitkadash…

May all those who have died Rest in Peace. May all those who served and are still living, have peace in their lives. Thank you for your service to America.

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My beloved Mother died on Veterans Day, 2004. She was a veteran of the eight years of war with her ailing body…

May you Rest in Peace, Dearest Mommy. Five years later…I miss you so…more than I can articulate.

You loved roses, and especially deep, pink-toned ones. You loved their beauty. You blossom year round in my mind and heart, in the hearts of all our family who so love you still…and who miss your contagious laugh and sun-dipped smile. The symbol of your life thrives and illuminates my hours and days, your memory vivid and beautiful and as strong as the scent of the roses.

You loved to dance, and I have fond memories of you and daddy dancing the foxtrot, the waltz, and the jitterbug in the house, as the music of the 40s and 50s resounded throughout our home, and I watched you both. One thing that impressed me at a young age was the devotion and deep love you had for each other. It warms me through and through, to this day.

You made Italian food like nobody on earth. And, even now, knowing how you prepared it, and making it the same way, it doesn’t taste like yours. LOL. Yours was in a class by itself. My Italian mommy, mama mia, I can smell the scent of the tomato sauce cooking, infused with garlic, other spices, Italian sausages, meatballs, etc. I remember how we would all go to the stove and dip a spoon into the sauce, and how you would pretend to be mad, but we could see through that. The twinkle in your eyes told the story.

You and I were alike in many ways, ways I never wanted to admit was so, when I was young. I think it is somewhat normal for daughters to not want to be totally like their mothers. But, alas, I am like you, in almost every aspect. Having my own children showed me the truth of it. You loved gardening, I love gardening, you loved music…it was a part of your life…like a limb…I am the same way. You loved dancing, so do I, you loved art, literature, travel, needlepoint, and most of all, you loved being with your family and cooking meals for them. I am the same way. You loved setting a lovely table, me too. You loved shopping, and we spent many moments shopping and eating lunch out. So many memories, so much joy, so much love…I treasure it all, dear mommy. Thank you for those wonderful days, those sun filled and loving days…they are a comfort to me, when I need you near.

Be Resting in Peace…dearest mommy.

The photo of my mommy was taken when she was 80 years old, in 1999.

Today begins my journey to California. I pick up my girlfriend at the airport late this afternoon. We will drive about an hour, and then have dinner and check into a hotel. Thursday morning we do serious driving. LOL Well, in between the antique stores and shops we stop at. We hope to be in CA by Sunday afternoon. We are taking our time, and not rushing or pushing it.

My first priority in CA will be to see my daughter, son-in-law, and mywonderful grandchildren, Emily and Logan.

I don’t anticipate blogging while I am traveling. If I can give an update I will, but probably not. I hope to be seriously blogging again by the middle of next week. I’ve missed interacting with all of you. See you soon.

Thank you all for your thoughts and good wishes…it means so much.

Have a nice few days.
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All the photographs in this post were taken by me.

Jew Wishes…Peace to All.

© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my expresss written consent/permission.

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