Category Archives: Marines

A Flag Ceremony Hodgepodge

The story around some of my flag photos dates back to 2011.

A group of veterans and young people in Orange, California respecting the flag and folding it after a flag ceremony.

Another Wednesday, another Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!

1. What does patriotism mean to you? 

It means honoring and obeying the laws of my country and doing whatever is in my power to insure the freedoms our founding fathers established. I love singing the National Anthem at sporting events. A little flag waving is good, too. Displaying the flag on holidays and other key times during the year.

2. September-October-November…your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. 

I’m cheating and naming something that is special to me for each of these months.

September ~ it always seems like the fresh start back to routine activities that make me feel grounded and we get to celebrate Greg’s birthday in this month.

October ~ where Fall colors shine the best and we enjoy the annual corn maze.

November ~ the Thankful month. gathering with family on Thanksgiving.

3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word)  in the title or lyrics?

I’m sharing one of many songs that make me say thank you, Jesus!

My hymn of Praise shall always be forever Jesus! In Jesus I have sooo many reasons to say Thank You!

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What’s the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . 

Oh, and you can’t say jelly. 

It is peanut butter and honey for me. I had a piece of toast with peanut butter and honey for breakfast on Monday.

5. This week’s gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? 

The year started out with an epic surprise visit from Josh and Laura. We were having our local kids over for a birthday dinner on a Saturday. Dan and Jamie have birthdays 1 day apart and Josh has a birthday 3 days after Dan. Dan and Jamie arrived and 5 minutes later Josh and Laura came in the house with shouts of surprise!! It was such an epic surprise and so much fun to be able to celebrate all our January family birthdays together! I’m so grateful to God for the love he extends through our family.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of patriotism I’m copying a post here from 2011. This is from the Orange Circle Flag Ceremony, a weekly event, in Orange, California.

Before they lowered the flag and folded it properly Mark Wayland acknowledged 5 veterans in the audience that had served in World War II. One of the veterans was celebrating his 90th birthday and his family brought cupcakes for everyone at the ceremony. We got to sing Happy Birthday to him. This vet with Mark in the photo above, served in WWII, Korea, and the Vietnam War. He comes to the ceremony every week. It was great to meet him.

Mark also acknowledged a young bride in the audience who’s Marine husband was serving in Afghanistan right then…our Katie. He made her cry but the tears were good tears and then when the big burly Vietnam Vets came over to give her a hug with tears in their eyes we knew they understood and we cried some more. It was great to hear these Harley riders tell her they would be praying for her and Andrew.

Dear’s brother Terry and wife Christina with one of their 3 daughters with Katie and me. Christina got to know Mark while working with the Orange County School Board. She invited Katie and me to attend this ceremony.

I got the following information from an Orange County Register article written by David Whiting although my sister-in-law who knows Mark from working with him at the Orange County School board also filled me in about Mark and his giving heart, a Purple Heart retired Marine.

“Mark Wayland, Marine Vietnam vet, retired firefighter and Orange school board member, looks like a biker with his denim vest and bushy mustache. And he is. So are many of the men in the Circle.

Most are members of the Patriot Guard Riders. In particular, they ride to remember fallen military brothers and sisters and to ensure things go smoothly at military funerals.

With his black Harley Electra Glide decorated with Marine logos parked just 50 yards away, Wayland explains tonight’s mission.

Every Wednesday night, Wayland, his buddies, their wives, friends and supporters gather in the Orange Circle. They come to lower the flag at 6 p.m. and honor, as Wayland puts it, “those who are in harm’s way.”

What an honor to be able to meet these folks and to honor them and others who have sacrificed so much for all of us. Thank you Mark for all you do and may your sacrifices return to you tenfold.

ht: Orange County Register, David Whiting.

The Patriot Guard Riders honored our brother-in-law at his burial on Veterans Day in 2015.

Thanks for the time you took to visit this very long and wordy Hodgepodge. I’m grateful for all who stop by here.

Hello October Hodgepodge

Speaking of Southern Charm and September…

The Rhett House Inn, Beaufort S.C.

Hello October Hodgepodge. Thank you, Joyce!

1. What’s your favorite fall scent?

Vanilla with just a hint of cinnamon.

Would we find this in or around your home right now? 

No

2. October is Country Music Month…are you a fan of country music? Do you have a favorite country artist? Ever been to Nashville?

I enjoy country music but I do not have a favorite artist and I’ve never been to Nashville.

In terms of lifestyle are you more country mouse or city mouse? 

I was raised and lived the city mouse lifestyle for 67 out of my 74 years but I’m adjusting to the country mouse lifestyle. We moved to the country in 2018 and we are enjoying the country life. I have bonded with Wal-Mart. 🙂

3. How about ‘country cooking’? (loosely defined as rich flavors, familiar foods, large portions, often fried, and often associated with the southern region of the US of A)? 

Fried Green Tomatoes were delicious at a restaurant called Wren in South Carolina. Katie and I were in South Carolina in 2010 staying in Beaufort to attend Andrew’s graduation from Marine Boot Camp at Parris Island.

chicken and dumplings-fried chicken-shrimp and grits-biscuits and gravy-mac and cheese-fried green tomatoes-cornbread-collard or turnip greens-deviled eggs-‘barbecue’-gumbo-banana pudding 

Which of the foods listed is your favorite? 

I would say that barbecue, deviled eggs, cornbread, biscuits and gravy are favorites.

Any on the list you haven’t tried or would say a firm no thank you to if offered? 

I would be fine with eating any of the items on the list once in a while.

4. What’s something that always has a positive impact on your mood? 

Good Christian Worship Music and Hymns. Music speaks to my heart.

“May I be singing when the evening comes.”

5. As we say so long to September share a noun, a verb, and an adjective that tells us something about how that month looked for you.

September had some fun travel and joyful events but the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk hit me hard. His Memorial service reaffirmed my great hope in God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

noun: assassination ~~verb: travel ~~adjective: horrific

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

September of 2010 was a memorable one in our family.

The photo above is from the Parish Church of St. Helena in Beaufort, S.C.

This wonderful old church and graveyard were around the corner from our lodgings in Beaufort. (Photo at the top of this post) I took several photos here of the grounds and of the fresh in love couple!

Beaufort is a city on Port Royal Island, one of South Carolina’s coastal Sea Islands. It’s known for its antebellum mansions, especially in the downtown historic district.

Being at Parris Island and experiencing all the ceremonies involved with Andrew officially becoming a Marine were amazing and unforgettable.

Katie and I stayed in Beaufort while we attended Andrew’s graduation from Parris Island Marine Bootcamp in September of 2010. Later that month on September 29, 2010, Katie said yes to Andrew’s proposal of marriage. The photo below was taken on that evening.

We are looking forward to some special times in October starting this Saturday with Marcus Cider Fest! It was fun to turn the calendar page this morning.

Flag Day 2025

2011-09-11 9-11-113

Flag Day is a holiday celebrated on June 14 in the United States. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.

Thanks to Tom the Backroads Traveller I’m adding this information below.

Read about Sarah Hinson, a teacher and principal, who started Flag Day Exercises in 1891.

On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress replaced the British symbols of the Grand Union flag with a new design featuring 13 white stars on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes—one for each state.

The American flag, also nicknamed as “Old Glory” or “star-spangled banner”, has changed designs over the centuries. It consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars. Each of the 50 stars represents one of the 50 states in the United States and the 13 stripes represent the original 13 colonies that became the first states in the Union.

Off with your hat, as the flag goes by!
And let the heart have its say;
you’re man enough for a tear in your eye
that you will not wipe away.
~Henry Cuyler Bunner

Mom-armed forces day6
I believe our flag is more than just cloth and ink. It is a universally recognized symbol that stands for liberty, and freedom. It is the history of our nation, and it’s marked by the blood of those who died defending it.  ~ John Thune

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Officially adopted on Flag Day, June 14, 1924 (“Under God” Amendmant made by Congress in 1954)

I pledge allegiance to the flag

of the United States of America

and to the republic for which it stands;

one nation under God, indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all.

Happy 250th birthday to the U.S. Army

and

Happy 79th Birthday to the 45th and 47th President of the United States, Donald Trump.

Veterans Day 2021

Every year, on 11 November at 11 am – the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we pause to remember those men and women who have died or suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations.

Thankful for all our Veterans.

My new pin to wear on Veteran’s Day from our Laura, also known as Auntie Lolo.

10556234_10204401701630899_6178563336099564642_n

Here I am in 2014 with the Marine Corps Band at a Seattle Sounders Game. Wonder where all these young Marines are now and how many are Veterans already.

Hope we all get a chance to thank a Veteran today! The closest Veteran to us is our Son-in-law Andrew. Thank you Andrew for your years of service. We appreciate your sacrifice and are aware of the toll it took on your body. You are loved and appreciated.

Honor the Fallen

Our little town of Colville set up this memorial for the 13 military service members who were killed in Afghanistan in late August. Our flags also flew at half-staff.

Praying that Americans left behind will be able to make it back home soon.

I’m preparing a post for the 20th Anniversary of 9-11 which is tomorrow. Have a good weekend everyone.

Dress Blues

On August 17th while we were in Spokane we stopped by The Sherwin Williams paint store and bought a quart of paint for our doors. We were tired of the maroonish look. We chose Dress Blues because we liked the color and the name. Our son-in-law Andrew wore his Dress Blues for the wedding ceremony we had for he and our daughter Katie in March of 2012.

–

We love the color. Dear finished painting the door on the day that eleven of our Marines were killed in Afghanistan by the suicide bomber. This door takes on more meaning for us. We are heartbroken for the families who will soon be notified. 24 hours after the families are notified we will learn the names of these Marines. What a devastating week in our history. We continue to mourn and hope for all the stranded Americans and others waiting to be safely airlifted out of Afghanistan. We mourn for what America has become to the world. My hope is not in our country or our leaders, my hope is in the God who made heaven and earth and everything in it. It’s a good time in history to make sure of your eternal destination. There are only two choices, with Christ in heaven or without Christ in hell.

2 Thessalonians 2:16:

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. 

 

From the Past…

1970ish

Memorial Day 2009

2010

2011

2013

In 2014 Andrew returned from Afghanistan on Memorial Day Weekend.

Memorial Day 2016 we remembered these fallen Marines…so young.

It was a busy week leading up to Memorial Day weekend and we still have some responsibilities through Saturday. I have a few of my Red/White/Blue decor sprinkled around the house but the majority of my ‘stuff’ will have to wait for the 4th of July to don our property. Our flag is flying. We will have a low key Monday. I have a Memorial Day tribute scheduled for Monday the 31st. And just like that May is gone…

For those of you in the U. S. of A. we hope you have a good long weekend with a time of reflection on what it meant to many for our country to be free.

Superhero Husband Hodgepodge

This photo of our daughter Katie was taken at a rest stop somewhere between Seattle and Jacksonville, North Carolina on a cross country trip to get Katie situated in an apartment before our Marine Son-in-law returned from his tour of duty in Afghanistan. It was an epic trip for the two of us and we both could have been awarded a superhero title!
*************************************************************
1. Expect the unexpected on From This Side of the Pond. Here’s my x-ray question…when was the last time you felt like Superman? What’s your superpower? Explain.
There are a few things that make me feel super satisfied. One of the things is to be able to recreate something special that our dear mom would make. One of her specialties is this nut roll we call Roolyet. My sister and I went about perfecting a recipe for it and we were very happy that it came out looking and tasting like our mom’s. We took it over to my sister’s house to share with her family and our dear old pop a few years back and he raved about it tasting like Mom’s.
Getting things checked off of my to-do list makes me feel like superwoman, too. It’s the little things…
2. Are you a fan of the ‘superhero’ type movies? If so what’s your favorite?
Not a fan generally of superhero movies. If I had to pick a favorite superhero of the fiction variety it would be Superman. I am a fan of these three in the photo above! Our grands with their uncle Joshie!
3. Have you postponed or cancelled a trip to the dentist in recent weeks, and if so when do you think you’ll feel comfortable going back? How about other routine medical procedures?
No, because I haven’t made an appointment to see a dentist. Oops. I have gotten an alert this week that I can make an appointment for my yearly medical.
4. What’s something that makes you feel youthful? Something that makes you feel ‘not so youthful’? Tell us why.
Singing and dancing makes me feel youthful and not looking in a mirror. Trying to get up off the floor when I play with the grands lets me know I’m not a youth anymore. There’s no hopping up anymore.
5. I feel compelled to include some sort of corona related question in the HP these days. What’s the strangest thing you’ve seen in relation to the virus? Something that really struck you as odd, made you stop and think, ‘Dorothy we’re not in Kansas anymore?’
This photo of a few of us adults watching Jaymison Joshua from a distance while he opened birthday gifts and ate his first birthday cupcake. Definitely not in Kansas anymore!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
This man, my Dear, is my real life superhero. He has been by my side for over 45 years. He was our main provider for most of our married life and our very efficient handy man. There have only been a handful of home improvement jobs that we hired someone for. He’s painted, replaced siding, built fences, installed back splash, remodeled a bathroom, added on a room, replaced windows, put in walkways, installed flooring, just to name a few. He also has helped all our kids with home projects, too. He’s my personal bartender. Did I mention that he’s a good cook, too? We love him for his smarts, too. He’s not a fool, he loves God and believes in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and that’s the main reason why I married him. Everything else has been a bonus. We’ve had bumps along the road because we are two human beings living life together and that is bound to have it’s challenges. Nevertheless, I’m thankful for this man and for how God is working in our lives individually and together.
The latest greatest is that he located the hot water leak and repaired it having to crawl under the house and do the repairs in a crouched position. We have hot water again and we didn’t have to call a plumber! We used walkie talkies to communicate while he was under the house. There was less accumulated water than we had expected. We didn’t have to pump out any water. Now we will have to assess how much of the insulation got soggy and needs to be replaced. It was great to take a nice long hot shower after our work today. Thank you, Dear!!
Thank you to Joyce for asking the questions and for any of you who take the time to read my post. Click here to see more.