“A – “Great” Grandma’s Birthday!”
“Happy Birthday to our “Grandma Lulu” – today… on the 31st of May, 2015… from little baby Al and big brother Lee!”
This photo was taken when baby Al was three or four weeks old – in what you would call “cold” weather – if you lived in Saint Louis, Missouri – but lucky for us this was in January, 1962 in much warmer weather – Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
In looking at this photo… here is what I see… today – Little Lee is still trying to get used to the fact – that he NOW has a little baby brother, Al – and since “Grandma Lulu” is not always living with us – just came to stay for a few months from Saint Louis – so.. little Lee is starting to feel like he is not the center of everything – he has to share his time with the new baby – so… he is trying to give his “Grandma” a couple of hugs and pats around her neck – – – just as she is giving to baby Al … so…. – in this way he is still in the picture of things going on and all with getting used to sharing in some or all of the time , too – – with his brother and everyone who comes to visit and see a new born baby???
(What do you think???)
Just in case and for those who do not know “Grandma Lula” she was born in Germany in 1881 and that would be celebrating her 134th Birthday today! Grandma’s full name – Louise Vosmeyer Aldrich Stanley – and if I remember correctly she had twelve children – my husband was the seventh and that made him extra special. Grandma Lula had told me that – when she came to America from Germany – she had no special shills – so she took jobs cleaning and cooking in homes of well to-do folks.
One special memory that I have is that – when I first met her – she was living in Dixon, Illinois – taking care of a woman – older than herself – she did light cleaning and cooking – – – and on this particular meeting – we were picking her up – – to bring back to the Saint Louis area — – but she had to finish making a “Pumpkin Pie” – for the “woman’s dessert that evening – and when she came to live with us – she could whip up a “coffee Cake” faster than anybody – – I had to get a “cook book” out to make one. Nothing smells better than to have fresh baking “Coffee Cake” for breakfast.
Looks like to me – that the Almighty Yahweh watches over all of His creations – and sends extra blessings to them – just when they need them – “Grandma Lulu” was well blessed with a wonderful Family of some of the best of the very best children!
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“Memorial Day” – and “Birth DATE!”
“WOW!” – “What a day to be born on May 30th – and guess what? – “My Mother always – called me her “decoration” – since I was born on the day – that she only remembered as “Decoration Day!” “This is what “PAUL A. JUNG” – as you see – above – in his military photo, – so many years ago – told me !” – “Paul Jung” with his brothers and sisters were also in the “German Saint Vincent Orphanage” and graduated in the same class as I did.”
Today – is the “DAY” that President Kennedy had requested – that all of America take the time at 11:00 A.M. – – to spend a few minutes to remember all of our “fallen soldiers” – give a few moments or minutes in prayer! “A FEW” – does that still mean at least “FIVE” ??? – why can we not give more – than only “FIVE” minutes – – time to remember – those who gave all that they had – their precious LIVES!”
“Here’s one more thing – might just say – “Food for Thought” – give a few more minutes in prayer for all of our “service men and women” – and also include asking – the Almighty Yahweh for more protection for America – since we have so many people who want to change all of our “Biblical Beliefs” which would completely ruin America – should we ever forget – that our Creator – the ONE – who gave to us – – all that we have!”
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“Memorial Day” – remembers U.S. Servicemen…
Memorial Day – – on the DAY – 30th of May – that was originally called “Decoration Day” – when the clock turns to 11:00 A.M. – we are to all stop and take a few minutes in prayer to remember all men and women who gave their LIFE – and for that ultimate gift to us – we “Decorate their graves in all of the National Cemeteries across this United Sates of America.
The National Moment of Remembrance is at 3:00 P.M. on the last MONDAY of the Month of MAY – that time is local time – – “MEMORIAL Day” – – now taking in all of the “WARS” and “Conflicts” – that need more prayers – – so that we never forget the extreme high cost of LIVES – that are paid for our “FREEDOM” – – – – – – whatever time zone you may be – remember and do not forget – we all have plenty to be “Grateful and Thankful” for…
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“Memorial Day” – remembers Dogs – Dolphins – Seals…
“Memorial Day” remembrance would not be complete without “Thanking” those who do not speak our language – but learn to speak and learn to serve and work in necessary fields in our Armed Forces – Army and Navy.
First the above photo is Thomas H. Aldrich with his War Dog “Shane” – serving in Korea 1964-1965 – – Dog Platoon – – K-9 Corp – Tom always had a dog at home – before and after being in the service. His passion was having “German Shepherds” training them for his own home and for those who wanted a well trained dog – a dog that would be a family member – to protect you and guard your home. His training of a dog was superb – in that you could talk to your dog and the dog talked with you – in other words – instinctively – you each knew what and where and how to get a job done.
Second, my younger son, Lee G. Aldrich – joined the NAVY and was telling about when he was stationed in the San Diego base area – that – they had the NAVY’s Marine Mammal Fleet – where they were training the “Bottle-nose Dolphins” and the “California Sea Lions” – and the training was the same and or even better than the training – – that would be used for the “German Shepherds” – – “Military Dolphins” did the same work that the “German Shepherd” did – but under the sea – in the water – along side the ships – – searching for the lost NAVAL swimmer or even to do rescue work finding people and objects – where even the members of the ship could not go – and or perform the work needed to done as well as this “K-Dag – Dolphin” making their work highly rewarded – for what they were able to do.
One of the tasks that required specialized training was to be able to equip the “Dolphins” in finding mines and this alone – saved LIVES of our young men – our specialized teams that do the training deserved every dime – that – this government can give – to promote their work in the training of the “Dolphins” and the Sea Lions” for the combined work – requiring the young men in the NAVY and the best of our friendly mammals in our oceans – those that can make a top notch match of performing jobs – that saves LIVES!
My feeling is that we sometimes forget the tremendous job that our “Dolphins, Seals and German Shepherds” do for us – – – with the specialized training – they are truly “LIFE Savers” saving so many LIVES – that we just cannot continue to work without their help to provide protection for the American People and the American Freedoms – that – and – when we all work together – standing United under our FLAG – we are always willing to help each Nation requiring our help!
United – we ask the Almighty Yahweh to bless all of our MEN in all the Armed Forces and we give Thanks – that the Almighty has thought to give to us the “extra special help” we need – – by providing us with some of HIS most talented “Animals” that – help “Save LIVES!” We are Grateful and Thankful for YOUR protection to each and every serviceman and the special “animal” that he will work with – in the care and training to protect America! AMEN D.V.
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“Memorial Day” – remembers Family Vets…
When there was a WAR .. 1940s – America did call several members in the same FAMILY – – – and this is Al E. Aldrich from Saint Louis, Missouri – – lived in Birmingham, Alabama – – and later moved wife, Thelma and son to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Al and his wife, Thelma operated the “Dobbs House” Snack Bar in Birmingham, Alabama and were doing a very job – – so much so that there was the possibility of opening up of the “Snack Bar” market in Florida. Al communicated with his brother Lee, my husband – that – the “Dobbs” people were looking for someone to open and run a new place in the southern part of Florida. This was just a terrific opportunity for my husband – – since he had been shot and was thinking of taking an early retirement from the Saint Louis Police Department – so we took a “pre-view” trip to Florida and everything sure did look “real” good to us!
Sometimes… we miss the boat – when we fail to communicate with our Family – – -opportunities are sometimes missed and also the relationship of brothers and their Families – – – so that is NOW – why I have to Thank the Almighty Yahweh – that there was good – very good feelings between Al ‘s Family and my husband Lee and all of us – all together and forever!
Thank you – Almighty Yahweh – you knew that Lee, my husband did not have many years left here – after having been shot – – but you worked special behind the scene activities – so that Lee could have some very good years in Florida – – with his brother Al and all of us. Thank you – – – for the best “Army Veteran and brother-in-law, Al – for giving so much thought to the special needs of his brother Lee and FAMILY!
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“Memorial Day” – remembers the wounded!”
“Memorial Day”… will last the whole week – and maybe even a few extra days – – at this time of the year – – since I feel that we should remember all of those who – – “fought the good fight” – – for the “FREEDOM” that we all … now enjoy!
The above photo is of my father – Denny H. McClarren Sr. when he was stationed in Manila, Philippines – doing his three, two-year stints in the Army. He was injured and this could be his passage back home – to the United States.
At the time… when my FATHER signed up to join the Army – he was not yet old enough – – but “TIMES” were bad – and so – from a small town in OHIO – with too many other mouths to feed in his home – the ARMY looked like the best place to go. This is probably the same situation for a lot of the young men in those times – and in his signing up for the ARMY – he would be taken care of – – and those at home would have it just a little better – without an extra person to feed – also in those same times – – there was little or nothing in the line of work to be done by under age young men!
So, with the great plan of the ALMIGHTY – – – my Father-to-be was protected and his injury to his back – his having to be in a “body-cast” for six-months – – was gradually leading him to the Saint Louis, Missouri area – to where he will meet my MOTHER-to-be – – – so… then these two new “LIVES” – with lots of challenges… some good and bad choices… and a whole load of consequences to follow – – – up and down … over the years of LIFE – turns out to be a sink or swim situation…
Since I do not know any other LIFE – I cannot comment on some wild wish – but I am grateful for the LIFE – that I was given… and I can only guess that – if … we all think about where we are and where we could have been – that … somewhere else …would not maybe …be as good… we should all be grateful and thankful – that the ALMIGHTY did send protection to and for all of our SERVICE MEN – who were injured and were able to come HOME – making a FAMILY – that we can all we proud of!
With lots of PRAYER for all of the SERVICE MEN that served in all of the past WARS and CONFLICTS and for those who are still defending AMERICA – today – – we should daily… Pray for Blessings – for their Guidance and the continued Presence of the ALMIGHTY – that – those that served are always and forever… remembered!
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