Memorial Day Parades

I was only 13 when my oldest cousin joined the Marines and went to combat duty in Viet Nam. Jim was my hero, being the oldest of the grandchildren, the big brother I didn't have.

I wrote my 13 year old's hero worship letters to him weekly. I always enclosed a drink mix packet, tea bags, or instant cocoa. It didn't occur to me at first that my allowance wouldn't do him much good in the jungle.

Jim volunteered for a mine sweeping mission ahead of his combat group. He found a mine the hard way, not the way we wished. It was my first grown up funeral. By then I was 14.

"Taps" still makes me shiver deeply, and a 21 gun salute still makes me jump. The lone bag piper in the distance never fails to send me.

I have heard it many times after that, including for my own father who passed not long after this parade. I am just so happy he was there to be with the Grand Marshals.

Dad felt honored and appreciated for all those dangers over 60 years ago. My dad actually survived the battle of Kasserine Pass, something we did not know much about until a couple years before he died. Learn about the famous WWII battle at Kasserine Pass. Please come back.

© Ford Chambliss | Dreamstime.com

© Richard Gunion |

On Memorial Day Operation Gratitude has just sent a spring shipment and preparing the next one.

This year's spring goal is to put a bandanna and gator in every care package. Make these all winter

Make some yourself or engage a group project. Introduce the project at that scout pack, your knitting friends, your service club, the Rotary, Zonta, trade or business association, you name it. Anyone looking for a good service project can do this.

Get your knitting needles, scissors, and pins. Patterns and fabric choices are recommended on the Operation Gratitude site, so you can be sure to make and send the right things. Yes, flags are for flying, but your fighting men and women can't wear colors around their necks for obvious reasons, neutrals and camouflage preferred. So please do go get the instructions form the official Operation Gratitude page to be sure that your labor can't be wasted.

Bandannas and gators are important because they can be used for warmth, cooling and versatility in what can be done with them in the field.

Certain fabrics, yarn and colors are needed. Patterns are also provided. If you follow these simple directions, you will send loads of physical comfort to the troops.

Please learn the details of the Operation Gratitude bandanna and gator project, before beginning. Just click here and go to the bottom of the page for patterns.

Just for your convenience:
BANDANNAS
COOLING MATERIAL
GAITERS

GO HERE Or follow the OpGrat instructions recited here:

Cut strips of fabric about 6 1/2 inches wide, with the length measurement being the width from selvage to selvage. Sew a small width end, then turn 90 degrees and sew along the whole length side (1/4 inch margin), leaving the last short width end open. Then, turn it inside out and iron the creases. Then, sew (about 13 inches) up from the closed end, across the thin width. Add in the crystals, IMPORTANT to make sure they all slide all the way down to the seam. Sew across the thin width again to make a pocket for the crystals. Last, close the final open thin width end, by tucking in the edges and sewing across.

In recounting the Battle of Kaserine Pass, my Dad told of hearing the sounds of the coming bagpipes.

Despite the military humor about troops in skirts before spandex, he expressed deep respect for the Scottish Warriors who intervened, saving the remaining Americans at Kaserine Pass.

The kilted warriors proudly carried the nickname "The Ladies from Hell." Dad said they deserved their self-deprecating, yet swaggering handle.

The sound of bagpipes always moves one, especially in a parade.

photo:/ © Hamiza Bakirci |

Operation Gratitude rocks on Memorial Day, and on any other day! Won't you please send a little care package to say you care?

Yes, I am begging shamelessly. Our all volunteer military deserves our voluntary support.

© Roza | Dreamstime.com