Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

a tribute to my“Red, White & Blue” Mom…

image

I’m so excited about this post…excited because the most influential people in my life gave so much of their lives for our country…the good ole USA. I’ve been thinking about writing about this for a good while but if you’ve read anything about me, you know it’s difficult for me to reveal much about myself. In this post I wrote about something I worked hard to achieve.

Both of my parents were veterans of World War II. Yep, even my Mom…she was one of those lucky people who “marched to the beat of a different drummer”.

Lucy Madeline was her name, she was the eldest daughter of Ernest and Mabel. Her sisters were named Helen Geraldine and Ester Pauline…wasn’t my Grandmother cool by rhyming the names of her girls. (Note…these ladies were born in the 1920’s.) Their elder brother was named Marion Thomas, no rhyme there and I never remember hearing anything about the origin of their names.

My Mom hated her name and lived most of her life with her family calling her “Peg”…I think the nickname came from being hurt at one time and walking with a “pegleg”.

Mom grew up in the Depression and times were very hard for her family. Families had to buy schoolbooks for their children at that time and there was never enough money for books for my Mom, she was the second child and had two younger sisters. Because of the tough economic times, she only finished the sixth grade. She lied about her age in order to go to work in a factory at the age of 15…someone in the factory ratted her out after a few months and she was “laid off” until her sixteenth birthday. On her birthday she went back to work to help support her family. This has always broken my heart because she valued and wanted an education more than anyone I’ve ever known.

She eventually got a GED and was self educated on just about everything. She could talk politics with anyone and back up her views with a lot of historical facts. She lived to be 83 so she knew a lot of historical facts.

She married at an early age (not to my Dad)… I think she was seventeen. At the beginning of WWII she and her young husband enlisted in the military (Army).

Her young husband (Carroll) was called to service before she was and went to Holland to serve. She continued working her factory job during this time. I remember her telling me so many times about how she was informed of his death. She was at the local movie theater and a local insurance agent brought her the Western Union telegram with the devastating news. The reason the telegram was delivered by an insurance agent was that anytime one of these death notices were wired to a hometown the Western Union agent gave it to anyone who was walking down the street at that time. It was just a coincidence that the insurance agent was a friend of Mom’s family. All of this happened in a very small town…so it might not have been handled this way in other places.

Can you imagine being notified of your husband’s death like this? As cruel as it seems, I think that it also shows a tremendous dedication by every person who lived during those times. I don’t know of anyone who would just volunteer to deliver such horrible news to a young lady now.

Now remember, they both enlisted in the armed services. It wasn’t long after her husband’s death that Mom was called to serve in the US Army WACS (Women’s Army Corps). I’m sure Mom had to muster a lot of courage to now begin her assignment. In the forties people really looked down on women in service…it just was not the thing for ladies to do. My Mom was, in every sense of the word, a lady…a tough, courageous and dedicated lady.

I think it’s safe to say that Patriotism was truly her middle name…She believed in her country and the freedoms it offered her and her family. Mom always had such a difficult life but she had the most amazing outlook on life of anyone I’ve ever known. After marrying my Dad in 1945, she left the WACs and began her family. My brother was born 7/7/47 and I came along in 1952. They lived in about thirty different places before settling down in 1957.

My son and I both own homes on the property that they bought at that time. During the years of 57-62 Mom lost both of her parents who were only in their sixties and in 1962 my Dad was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was hospitalized for several years. It was during those years that she was the sole breadwinner and essentially a single parent since my Dad was hospitalized over 125 miles from our home.

( Mom and my son, Justin, when he was about three…)

If Mom hadn’t been such a strong woman, I’m not sure what would have happened to us, but she kept it all together for us. We certainly didn’t have any money but we were pretty self-sufficient. We gardened and did all kinds of things to make ends meet. Mom was a wonderful seamstress and made our clothes (even my brother’s shirts).

She was thrilled to see the opening of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial at Arlington, Va. One of her most exciting times was attending that dedication (10-9-97 )ceremony and being a charter member of the group sponsoring this memorial.

moz-screenshot-37 moz-screenshot-36http://www.defenselink.mil/dodcmsshare/newsstoryPhoto/1997-05/hrs_9705144a.jpg

Here are some facts that you probably do not know about the Women in Military Service For America Memorial…

http://www.womensmemorial.org/About/facts.html

WHAT: The only major national memorial honoring all servicewomen—past, present and future. The Women In Military Service For America Memorial honors the some 2.5 million women who have served or are serving in or with the US Armed Forces starting with the American Revolution.

WHERE: The 4.2 acre Ceremonial Entrance to Arlington National Cemetery in our nation's capital.

WHEN: Open to the public every day except Christmas. Dedicated October 18, 1997. Groundbreaking held June 22, 1995.

WHO: Spearheaded by the Women In Military Service For America Memorial Foundation, Inc. The Foundation, founded in 1985, is an IRS designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

THOSE HONORED: All US servicewomen, past, present and future, including living or deceased women veterans; Active Duty, Reserve, Guard and US Public Health Service uniformed women; and women in the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Civil Air Patrol. The Memorial also honors women who served overseas during conflicts, in direct support of the armed forces, in organizations such as the Red Cross, USO and Special Services; and members of the US Public Health Service Cadet Nurse Corps. The Foundation is seeking names, addresses, photos and memorable experiences of women who have served to be included in the Memorial's Register, an interactive computer database available at the Memorial. Deceased servicewomen from any era or those civilian women who served with other civilian organizations can be registered by family members, friends and organizations.

HISTORY: Congressional resolutions to honor military women were introduced by Senator Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and Congresswoman Mary Rose Oakar (D-OH). Signed into law by President Reagan in November 1986.

DESIGN: By Marion Gail Weiss and Michael Manfredi of Weiss/Manfredi Architects, New York City, winners of a national competition. The Memorial features an upper terrace with views of Arlington National Cemetery and the monuments of Washington, DC. On the terrace, there is an arc of large glass panels on which quotations from and about servicewomen are etched. This arc of glass introduces natural light into the Memorial's Education Center. At the lower terrace, in front of the Hemicycle wall, are the reflecting pool and Court of Valor. The Education Center, located behind the Hemicycle, houses a Hall of Honor, exhibit gallery, theater, and the computer database of servicewomen called the Register. Through the Register, visitors may access photos, military histories and the individual stories of registered women.

FUNDING: The total cost of building the Memorial was $22 million. In building the Memorial, support came from federal grants; proceeds from the sale of commemorative silver dollars; and corporate, organization, and individual donations. The Memorial Foundation maintains and operates the Memorial Education Center; manages an archive and research collection relating to women in the military; conducts an aggressive education program; builds exhibits showcasing the different eras in which women have served using text, images, memorabilia and artifacts; and continues to register servicewomen past and present.

DONATIONS AND REGISTRATIONS: Donations and registrations of servicewomen can be sent to: Women In Military Service For America Memorial, Dept. 560, Washington, DC, 20042-0560. Telephone: 800-222-2294 or 703-533-1155. FAX: 703-931-4208. E-mail: hq@womensmemorial.org. Web site www.womensmemorial.org. The Foundation is a registered participant in the Combined Federal Campaign, the annual workplace fund raising drive conducted by the US government for all military, civilian agency and postal workers worldwide and the National Capital Area United Way Campaign. In state and corporate campaigns, donors may designate "Women In Military Service Memorial Foundation" on their pledge cards.

To make this long story short…my Dad recovered and lived to the age of 66 years. Mom lived and loved every moment of the 83 years that she graced this earth. She truly lived her life to the max.

Two of her favorite things were the American flag that my husband put up for her and her little Chihuahua that my daughter got for her. She would talk about loving that baby (dog) of hers and glow when she saw her flag saying that “it is the most beautiful sight in this world” frequently.

Mom was so proud of my daughter (the day of her college graduation) and she is standing in front of Mom’s pride and joy…her American Flag…Just hope she knew how proud we all were to have the privilege of being a part of her life.

--30--

23 comments:

  1. This is Fabulous!
    I have reread this and just think you have done an awesome job! I am choosing you as MY MOST MEMORABLE BLOG OF THE DAY !!!
    (found on the upper right of my blog columns!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. this was so special! i LOVED her Army photo. what a treasure!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Facinating story. She was really such a beautiful lady at every age of her life. Thanks for sharing this story - it was wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Such a wonderful post - your Mom has that certain glow about her that shows how strong she was.. also that twinkle in her eye that tells you that you'e not going to get much past her!!

    Thanks for sharing !

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am so glad I found you at Foley's Mother's Day tribute. What an amazing story! God bless her, and the country she served and loved!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am glad I found this post through Foley's event as well. Your red, white & blue mother sounds like she was a wonderful woman and your tribute has done her proud.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks so much for sharing your Mom's story. Glad I found you through Foley's post. Your Mom sounds like an incredible woman! Happy Mother's Day to you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I am also so happy to have found your through Foley's event! What a strong and determined generation that was. They sacrificed so much for their country and did it proudly.

    Your mother was an amazing lady! What a wonderful tribute to her.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Becky,
    Thank you so much for sharing your mother's story! She was an amazing lady! You have paid her a wonderful tribute. Thank you too for stopping by my blog today. I hope you have a lovely week.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow Becky! What a wonderful legacy. You really put together a lovely tribute. I can see why you are proud of your mother. Happy Red, white and BLUE to you!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I loved your tribute to your mother even though I had tears in my eyes before I finished reading it. They were truly the GREATEST generation. Living through the depression and World War II made them tough; they worked hard and never wasted anything. They knew the value of an education and appreciated so many things we take for granted in our country today. My mother, born in 1910, dropped out of college during the depression and taught all 8 grades in a one-room school. When she heard on the radio that Pearl Harbor had been bombed, she was wrapping Christmas cookies for her brother who was there. He survived and those cookies were the only gift he got that Christmas. You have inspired me to write about her some day soon!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great tribute to your mother! She was a beautiful lady.
    Hugs,
    Cathie

    ReplyDelete
  13. Your Mother was truly a special woman. You must be so proud. Glad to find you through Foley's tribute event.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Becky, your mother was extraordinary. I can see so much of her in you and the way you write and live. This brought tears to my eyes. You shared (and will always have) such a strong love between you and your mom. What a joy.
    love and hugs,
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  15. This was such a beautiful tribute to a very couragous woman. Your respect and love for her was so apparent in your writing. Her photos look like she was a fun-loving, pretty, and happy person, in spite of all she had faced in her life. I also enjoyed reading about the monument. So glad that was finally accomplished, and the pictures look like it turned out beautifully. laurie

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a great tribute to your Mom. You were so blessed to have a mother so strong and courageous.
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  17. I just read this from The Muse....
    You did a magnificent job of writing about your love....Your mom.
    Thanks for sharing such a beautiful woman, inside and out, with us.
    xo bj

    ReplyDelete
  18. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about your amazing mom. This is a wonderful post! ☺ Diane

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is the nicest tribute! What a lovely and thoughtful thing to do. Your mom sounds like a wonderful lady.

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great post, and wonderful tribute to your Mom!

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a wonderful tribute to your mother. I'm glad public opinion of women in the military has changed. I can remember when it kind of brought a snicker whenever the subject was mentioned. In many ways she reminds me of my own mother although she was not in the military. She worked for Douglas Aircraft for awhile during the war. People of that generation were tough. They had to be to survive. Your post brought back memories for me.
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a wonderful legacy!

    Ever heard the song Peg O'My Heart?
    "Come be my own, come make a home in my heart."

    Now THAT'S a song that fits your mother!

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful post and tribute to your mom; an amazing lady! And I LOVE her name! My grandmother (Audrey) always hated her name because her brothers and sisters called her "Aud". Hehe. But I think the names from that era are absolutely delightful.
    Have a great week!

    ReplyDelete


NO COMMENTS ARE ACCEPTED SINCE I HAVE BEEN FLOODED WITH UNSOLICITED SPAM. THANKS FOR THE REAL VISITORS!!!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.


myfreecopyright.com registered & protected

Blog Archive

About Me

My photo
Tennessee, South, United States
Intense...the best description of living and loving life that I know...without intensity, life is mediocre and without definition...