11 Comments
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Mary M's avatar

Beautifully done.

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Sheila Eldred's avatar

Hi Jack. We had so many good things as kids and nothing seemed to be bad or anything to worry about, so very thankful you shared some of your childhood memories. I have to say I pray there will be a time that war is never going to happen. I know you're probably thinking, yeah, right, but I'm going keep on praying for that blessing.

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Michael Geiger's avatar

So moving, Jack. “But the secret was kept from us.” It was, but for those of us who visited graves every Memorial Day and lived this long, we learned to respect those sacrifices. We learned that the freedom we have now was painfully earned.

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james a. steinberg, new yorker's avatar

Remarkably moving, as usual, Jack. Thank you for this reminder--------so badly needed today.

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Michael Cass's avatar

You brought back so many memories Jack. I miss those days, your Dad and Mom, and scrambling to retrieve one of those brass cartridges before they were snatched up by another enthusiastic young kid. We know now the sacrifice our parents and other members of the "Greatest Generation" endured to provide us with that carefree existence. Bless them all and thank you for this reminder.

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Grace Gunning's avatar

Your writing is so very beautiful.

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Jack Kelly's avatar

Thanks, Grace.

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phyllis palmer's avatar

Oh, Jack, thank you for this one about Memorial Day. My father too was part of the war, he had nightmares for years, and because of the war he insisted on strict discipline at home. Sadly he used liquor to dampen his sorrows. As a daughter I wanted to get away and make a new world which I did but it was only possible because of his sacrifices.

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Jack Kelly's avatar

I think there was a tone through the 1950s, a great silence behind ordinary life. Today we talk about the Holocaust and Dresden and D-Day and Hiroshima quite casually. But only because for most of us, those things did not directly touch us.

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Rachel Simon's avatar

Support our Veterans.

Why so many voted for Bone Spur boggles the mind.

Coldest May in history- hope the sun comes out for our local parade.

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Jack Kelly's avatar

I agree that a taboo was shattered years ago when the future president demeaned the courage of John McCain. It was surprising and distasteful for many, but I guess, for some, not so much.

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