Saturday 9

 American Soldier (2003)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it. My dad was a Marine who served in Korea. My uncle was in the Army and saw action in Vietnam. My oldest nephew was in the Navy for eight years but (thankfully for my mother – his grandma, who worried about him constantly) he never saw combat.

2) In this song, Toby Keith reminds us soldiers "work straight through holidays," even this one, and we are grateful for that, too. Have you ever had to work on a federal holiday? If yes, did it make you sad to be on the job when everyone else was celebrating? Now that I work in retail, holiday shifts are a possibility. I worked New Year's Day in 2024, which was fine because our store was virtually empty and I got time-and-a-half for my minimal efforts. This year I was behind the counter for Dr. King's birthday. It was the first time I worked on that day since it became a holiday in 1986. We were very busy – lots of school kids – and I admit it felt weird.

3) The video for this song was filmed at Edwards Air Force Base. This site was chosen to make it easier for off-duty soldiers, reservists and their families to appear. Have you ever visited a military base? Nope.

4) Toby Keith never served in the military but often performed for the USO. While the USO is best known for providing entertainment to our troops, they also have a "Canine Comfort Crew." Local USO centers make dogs available to troops who long to see a wagging tail. Are you a dog lover? Oh, yes. One of my favorites was my friend Henry's dog, NouNou. A mixed breed, little mop of a black dog, who, like Henry himself, was nothing but love. NouNou came to Henry's home quite by accident. His owner worked with Henry at Florida Keys Community College. He worked in the office and Henry was a teacher. Anyway, when he was hospitalized with AIDS, he asked Henry to watch NouNou. Henry was a massive animal lover and a good friend, so he said yes without hesitation. When NouNou's dad died in the hospital, Henry called his parents and let them know he had their son's beloved dog. They curtly told him that they didn't approve of "the Key West lifestyle" and wouldn't be coming down for the dog. Can you imagine parents not wanting their dead son's dog, a dog their son had loved? Henry and his husband Reg already had two cats and two collies and weren't looking for a permanent addition to their menagerie, but NouNou was so sweet and far too old to be successfully adopted through a shelter. So it's with Henry that NouNou stayed. When I visited, he was my special friend. I never saw his eyes and I don't know how he saw through all that black fur. I saw his little white teeth a lot, though. He seemed to smile sometimes, especially after he had a good run on those short legs. The other dogs in the household were much bigger, but NouNou valiantly tried to keep up and loved those backyard races. He also got very excited when he saw the little ones walk by, to and from school. He only had a couple years with Henry and Reg, but NouNou ended his life surrounded by love, which he completely deserved. Who's a good boy?

 
5) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? Potato salad.

6) Let's welcome summer with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor? Cone or cup? Mint chocolate chip in a cup.

 

7) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent? I don't recall.

8) Or swam? I don't recall. (This makes me sad.)

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?  I've got a fan in the window.