Shari Della Penna
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"Small acts of kindness can change and humanise our world."
   Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks 1948-2020
   ​Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, 1991-2020
                         Author, Advocate, Advisor

Memorial Day, 2016

5/31/2016

5 Comments

 
Physicists were just beginning to figure out what atoms look like, and how the tiny particles inside them move and affect each other. Theoretical physicists were the explorers of their day, using imagination and mind-bending math to dig deeper and deeper into the surprising inner workings of atoms. Oppenheimer knew he’d found his calling.
                             from: 
Bomb: The Race to Build—and Steal—the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon
                             by: Steve Sheinkin
            Yesterday was Memorial Day.
            My dad was part of the Greatest Generation. He lived through the celebration of the end of WWI, even though he was a little baby. He lived through the Great Depression. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII.
            Daddy never talked about the war. He only told us kids that he was a radio operator in the planes that flew somewhere over Europe. He taught us Morse Code. He brought home a couple of pipes for his father. I remember the smell of pipe tobacco hovering over Grampy like a sweet cloud.
            I don’t remember too much about my dad when he was young-ish and I was small-ish. We did family things: car trips, picnics, dinner-table talk about work and school. He did dad things: mowed the lawn and kept the weeds under control, took his turn driving to Sunday School, steadied my bike seat as I learned to find my balance. That was his really hardest job. Balance is a tricky thing.
            Now, we live near an air base. The airmen and women practice fly overs sometimes. As I’m writing this, three heavy-bodied planes fly low, in formation, part of our town’s Memorial Day observance. The speeches will begin right after, at 10:00, followed by a march with the High School Band to the local cemetery.  A trumpet player is honored by playing taps, a twenty-one gun salute is fired, a wreath is laid and everyone disbands to their picnics, ball games, and department store sales.
            Today, Memorial Day, I’m remembering my dad and all his brave friends. Some I’m sure did not come home although Daddy never talked about that.
          How much courage is necessary to save a country? How high does an ideal fly that motivates a young person to dream the dream of freedom for all? How lucky are we all in this country where education is important, children are valued and our lives are our own?  
          May our flag ever wave.
                                                    
                                                                  --stay curious! 
                                                                                                                      
5 Comments
Karen
5/31/2016 07:45:13 am

My father was quiet about those times. Like many men of that generation, he did not share his feelings, especially with his daughter.

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Shari Della Penna
5/31/2016 05:46:36 pm

I can't even imagine what it could have been like for them.

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Rabbi Saul
5/31/2016 11:59:06 am

Very beautiful indeed, Shari! My Dad also rarely spoke of his time in the Navy in WWII, but I knew he was proud of his service. He saw some terrible things, but I wonder if things that you see and experience as a young person affect you differently than they would when you are older?

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Saul Oresky
6/1/2016 06:14:37 am

That's an interesting thought. Most of what I remember from long ago, especially during my teenage years, comes back with strong emotions and sensory images.

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Lynda
6/8/2016 08:58:10 am

My dad was the same. He rarely mentioned anything about his service in the Army during WWII to us. We knew he had a trunk in the attic with 'things,' that seemed to come out a couple times when friends who also served came to visit. We three little girls would join them just to see what was in that trunk.
Praise God for their bravery, patriotism, and service to our country!

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         I'm a children's writer and poet intent on observing the world and nurturing those I find in my small space .

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