Saturday 9

 

American Soldier

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: American Soldier (2003)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it.

My father, of blessed memory, served in the United States Army during World War II. He was drafted towards the end of the war, and after basic training he was sent to Italy.  

During basic training, my father, a Jewish boy from  Brooklyn, NY became friends with Manny, another recruit, a Jewish boy from the Bronx.  The friendship lasted long after the war ended. My father used to visit Manny’s family in the Bronx, and met Manny’s cousin.  Eventually my father married Manny’s cousin…my mother.

Here are my father and Manny in Italy.

Any my father and grandmother when he came home from the war.

2) In this song, Toby Keith reminds us soldiers "work straight through holidays," even this one, and we are grateful for that, too. Have you ever had to work on a federal holiday? If yes, did it make you sad to be on the job when everyone else was celebrating?

I work in the insurance industry.  Most insurance companies keep their offices open on Columbus Day and Veteran’s Day, but close the day after Thanksgiving.  I’d say it’s a fair trade.

3) The video for this song was filmed at Edwards Air Force Base. This site was chosen to make it easier for off-duty soldiers, reservists and their families to appear. Have you ever visited a military base?

Yes.  The Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.  We went in the summer of 2021

Believe it or not, I live in New York but have never visited West Point.

4) Toby Keith never served in the military but often performed for the USO. While the USO is best known for providing entertainment to our troops, they also have a "Canine Comfort Crew." Local USO centers make dogs available to troops who long to see a wagging tail. Are you a dog lover?

Yes, I love dogs, but I’m afraid the cats would object if we brought a dog into our home.

 
5) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 

Oh … difficult choice … maybe I’ll just tell you what’s on the menu for our cook-out on Sunday.  Hotdogs, hamburgers (with cheese and/or bacon, if you like), Italian sausage, coleslaw, macaroni salad, potato salad, and my (semi famous) caprese salad.  I’m not planning on a tossed salad, but I will put out some crudite alongside the charcuterie board.  One of the guests is celebrating a birthday, so of course we will have cake.

6) Let's welcome summer with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor? Cone or cup?

 

I can’t eat cones anymore.  I’ll take a cup of soft serve vanilla with rainbow sprinkles.

7) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent? 

No idea.

8) Or swam?

Summer 2023.  We live in a community with a residents-only pool.  I didn’t get a pool pass last summer, but I intend to do so this year.

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?  

No.  It’s unseasonably cold right now, but it should warm up for the weekend.

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend.