"What was it all for . . .?"

    He enlisted in the US Navy at age 19  - - - soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Given his aptitude and intelligence, he gravitated  towards aviation and Officers' School.  Fortified with a strong sense of patriotism and courage, he was soon flying dangerous missions in the Southeast Asian theater of operations.  Lots of missions, dangerous missions.  Unlike many of his fellow servicemen, he survived and eventually returned home, proud that he had been a part of the victory ending Fascism.  

      Patriotism continued to run strong for a time post-war. Throughout the years of war, Americans had generally displayed support of the sacrifices and     dislocations brought on by the magnitude of  the conflict.  The advent of the "Cold War" contributed to the sometime souring of  'patriotism' into 'nationalism'.  The latter  has been described as a kind of glorification and unity of the culture, with emphasis on language and heritage . Those who do not accept that often skewered nostalgic viewpoint find themselves subjected to virulent and vile accusations of treason and such. An extreme example of this sentiment is found in the Holocaust. Patriotism on the other hand is based on an inclusivity of 'we are all in this together' emphasizing values and beliefs.

   Even a cursory survey of  American history since 1945 provides numerous instances of disenchantment and fissures within  this country's fabric. 'Lip service' to ideals of democracy, the dignity and worth of  people, justice, kindness and the like have been frequently replaced  with a cynicism and despair.

   Which brings the focus back to the idealistic young  patriot above: He opted to remain on  active duty with the Navy, ultimately reaching the rank of Admiral. Now still a lucid 99 year old, he has surveyed the current state of  American society and politics with their divisiveness, rancor,  violence, ad nauseam and sadly asked a friend, "What was it all for ?"

    His is a poignant query. No synthetic patriotism, please. The 'real thing'. As Samuel Johnson said in 1775, "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel." He spoke out not against love of country, etc. but a deliberate distortion of facts.

 And the American social critic, H.L. Mencken described the perversity that often postures as patriotism: "It's chief glories are the demagogue, the military bully, and the spreaders of libels and false history. Its philosophy rests firmly on the doctrine that the end justifies the means -- that any blow whether above or below the belt, is fair against dissenters from its  wholesale denial of plain facts."

   Abraham Lincoln urged his audience to resolve that the dead at Gettysburg  "shall not have died in vain--that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom --and that government of the people, by the people, for the people , shall not perish from the earth."

   That is 'what it was all for'.  Will it live ?

          Satchel

 

"I will be 96 on my next birthday !"

   Not I.  There are still a  few more candles before I reach that lofty plateau.  Aunt Rachel turned 95 yesterday. But, today should you ask her age, she likely would proudly say, "I'll be 96 on my next birthday." For many reasons, Rachel has been and continues to be an inspiration. Over the past few years I have written often of this remarkable lady who is a treasure to all her family. (To see just a hint of why we love her, check some of the earlier tributes [1] )  Being just ten years older than  I, she  along with my cousin, Clarice, is the only person to have known me all my life.

    Her daughter, Pat, wrote: "Well, today mom is officially 95. The celebration has continued all week   & isn't over. The other day she told that as  fast as time was flying she'd be 100  before we knew it. She tells us this so we are sue to have time to plan the next big party. Tomorrow (17th) when asked her age, she will say that she'll be 96 in her next birthday. She's in Webster's under eternal optimist." 

  

     Among her other gifts, she is a great story teller and repository of family lore.  She and all her siblings bore a strong  facial appearance, notably high cheek bones.  Her brother, Lewis, worked in the Engineering Department of UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill. Once when Rachel was visiting a patient there, one of Lewis's co-workers whom she did not know got on an elevator with her, took one look and said, "Another damned Cooper !"  Lewis's daughter, Sharon,  went with her to her daily gathering of the 'Dallas Dolls' restaurant this week and the family similarity was  readily noticed.

                   A few pictorial tributes to this 'family treasure' :

                    With her son in green shirt and my brothers and me

                 With Clarice and her sister, Doni, in background
                 

                 With three of her great-nieces and  one great-great-niece

Cooking has long been one of her many talents. Here she gets to enjoy her supreme Chicken and Dumplings and a family get-together she hosted.

The oldest and the youngest . . . with her great-grand-child who is a few weeks old.

     Rachel,  I want to be like you when I grow up.

         Satchel

[1]  "And then there was one"   August 8, 2013

       "My Grand-father's clock"  April 9, 2016

       "Family Treasure"               September 17, 2016

      "Chicken and Dumplings"   November 30, 2019

BUMPER STICKER WIT and WISDOM

                                           ONE OF THE BETTER ONES

"I might be slow

    but I 'm ahead of you !"

         "I brake for _________"

               "I love (heart) ________"

                  "Honk if you _________"

EXPRESS YOURSELF : POST A BUMPER STICKER

  One dictionary calls them "a label carrying a slogan or advertisement fixed to a vehicle's bumper."   The first ones attracted tourists to scenic sights, hence the ubiquitous  "SEE  ROCK CITY".  Then came the advertisements, e.g. "CHEW BROWN MULE".  Sometime in the 1950's, politicians got into the act with the likes of "I LIKE IKE" or "STEVENSON-SPARKMAN/ 

VOTE DEMOCRAT".  And off it went, seemingly restrained only by one's passions and imagination. Apparently, even 'vulgar' bumper stickers claim First Amendment protection. 

   Among those that have a "story" attached include :

   .A client once came into my office  hardly able to restrain her laughter. She had just seen a bumper sticker in the parking lot that she wanted: "MY MOTHER IS TOUR GUIDE ON GUILT TRIPS". 

  

 I  wondered about the driver whose bumper claimed "MY OTHER CAR IS A BROOM"

   This one reminded me of the day I was waiting at a red-light in Asheville and heard screeching tires and looked up to see a student driver's impending crash into my car's front end: "BE PATIENT; STUDENT DRIVER".

    My kids know that there is no stash that would cause me to display: "I'M SPENDING MY CHILDREN'S INHERITANCE".

  Having encountered instances of delusion among clientele, this might be an appropriate reality check:     "DON'T  BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK".

  A while back, a client sent this

   So many outlandish traits and behaviors are attributed to religion that  several cars display: "JESUS WOULD SLAP  THE  'STUFFINGS' OUT OF YOU".

   Occasionally, vehicles become rolling collages of 'messages'.   Dealers usually concur that  bumper stickers reduce a car's trade-in value.  But, ' what a ride' in the meantime !

  You can find lots of websites that promise to provide labels  of your own design. What kind of 'saying' is on your bumper ?

       Satchel

"Call from Name Unavailable"

 

  It seems to occur most often at meal times or early in the morning before the first coffee.  "Robocalls" or the old name, telemarketers.  With fewer people having land lines, such calls have proliferated.  Scant reliance can be placed on the veracity of the name or source that is announced when the telephone rings. A call reportedly originating from "Duke Hospital" was someone peddling aluminum siding for the house.  Very seldom do we pick up unless the caller is verified.  If just one call gets a response, the traffic increases. But  a sure bet to be ignored are those from NAME  NOT  PROVIDED. 

   When we do pick up and the caller is a ghost of the purported originator, the range of 'services' offered seems unlimited. Did you see the recent meme making the rounds .  .   . "On March 10, 1876, Alexander Graham Bell makes the first phone call ever and moments later he was notified  that his car's extended warranty had expired." Frequently, we get messages on our answering machine that we have over drafted on a credit card (which we do not in fact own). Apparently, many folks are concerned that we are not receiving adequate Medicare benefits and if we give them our Social Security number, they will update our coverage.  My wife who is quicker with a quip than I used her talent with a well timed response to a caller warning that our Windows computer needed repair: "Our windows are fine. Do you work on doors?"  (Haven't had a Windows computer in years.)

     Then, would you  be heartless and ignore a call from a 'grand-son' in distress?  An acquaintance was bilked of several hundred dollars when he responded to an "I'm in jail and need bail money" call.  At least he has a grand-son old enough to face that circumstance. Not I, and when I got a "Hi, grand-dad" call from my "grand-son", the call abruptly ended when he couldn't answer "which grand-son?". Again, my wife's talent shone: "Hello, Grand-ma". Immediately, she replied, "Well, hello, dear. What do you need? Are you in jail or the hospital? Do you need me to send you a specified amount of gift cards? Is your girlfriend pregnant?" CLICK !!! 

    These callers seem to lack a sense of humor. The comedian, Carl Hurley, offered a humorous array of responses to these intruders. (Can probably find on YouTube.)  Once upon a time, I decided to have a bit of fun with telemarketers. Like the solicitation for a donation to a 'Benevolent Fund' for law officers. "I can't donate" was my somber reply. "Why not?" My reply, "I'm a convicted felon" was followed by a long silence. "You're kidding?" he finally sputtered. "Yes; but I still will not contribute. Good-bye." Another 'robot' finished his spiel and I affected a child-like voice: "I'm so glad you called.  There is a car parked outside with blue lights going blink, blink, blink and someone in a blue uniform is ringing my door bell. Should I be worried?" LOONNGGG silence. "Well, I don't know, sir."  I: "You're just of no help at all !! Bye."

   Beware of the 'Robots' but if one sneaks through, have a little fun.

                    Satchel