Mon. June 10, 2024
I Remember: A reflection by Elaine Wilson
I grew up in the town of Loveland, Colorado that in 1941 had a population of about 6500 people, and now has a population of over 70,000. One could grow up knowing the girl who made the best cherry pie, the kids who were not afraid to jump off the high dive at the swimming pool, and whose brother would play touch football with us as soon as he mowed the lawn. Memories of a small town during the “War” years and lessons learned by me sometimes tagging along and, sometimes just being there have been my sweet reward.
I remember… going with my mother to take flowers from our garden to my mother’s best friend when their family had been notified that her son had been killed in a battle in Germany.
I remember… going to a Saturday morning trip to the barbershop with my Dad and asking him why he was buying a red poppy what was it for?
I remember …sitting in the dark at night with my mother, brother and cocker spaniel puppy with the black out curtains pulled tight so that no light could be seen as the Civil Defense Air Raid Wardens were out checking the safety of the neighborhood. During World War II brought about the Air Force and the definite need for Civil Defense, and my father who had been in World War I found it helped his need to do “his duty”. He and his friends later found MANY ways to participate.
I remember…asking my mother “Why can’t we have a Gold Star to hang in our window.?
I remember…being at home on Saturday morning in February and cleaning house with my mother. Aunt Alice came by to tell us that her brother Herbert had been killed in the South Pacific. He had enlisted when he was 17, and re-enlisted after Pearl Harbor.
I remember…In school we learned all 4 verses of the “Star Spangled Banner”; we learned the proper care of the American Flag…folding, letting it not touch the floor; on our own, we learned all the words to each U.S. Military song. “Anchors Away” …..
I remember… hugging, being hugged, crying, laughing, singing, praying
Memorial Day…. will do that for you