Monday, November 11, 2013

Honoring My Veterans & More

Today America celebrates Veteran's Day.  We honor and appreciate those who have served in the armed forces and those who gave their lives for our freedom.  Serving America runs strong in my family and my husband's.  This image is of my Father - Wallace Winston Shaklee.  He served in the Marines and most notably, he was one of the first men landing on shore at Iwo Jima and was there the whole time - 215 of his company went in, and only 15 walked out without being wounded or losing their life.  When I was going through his photo box one time I found this neat little picture in a cardboard frame.  I envision that he sent this to my mom during the war.  My dad was a sweet, quiet man and I loved him.  We lost him 11 years ago.


And here is my very own hero - my husband.  He served in the US Army in Vietnam - flying a helicopter.  He was shot while flying a mission, and spent nearly a year in and out of the hospital and lost 1 5/8s inches from his left femur.  He's really lucky that they saved the leg.  I'm just glad he made it through - we were married a few years later.  He's a great guy and we're all the better from having him in our lives.  


Here is our little wall of honor in our family room.  Our daughter Amy bought the shadow box frame for Dayle and he filled it with his medals from his Army days, such as the Air Medal, Purple Heart and Distinguished Flying Cross, etc.  My Uncle Fred put one together for the medals my Dad would have received - but he refused the medals telling them that the guys who deserved the medals had given their lives.


I let Caleb use my iPad and he played Angry Birds and I was amazed at how good he is at it!  It wasn't long until he'd won all the levels!


Buddy was looking particularly fetching so I snapped a photo.  Don't mind the crayon bin and drawings all over the floor.. both boys love to color!  I think I'll get a little table down from upstairs and have them use it for their art projects.


When I got home yesterday from a visit to our son's house in Vancouver, WA - I noticed that the Pin Oak is almost fully red.  Gorgeous!


Then I noticed that my Japanese Maple was brilliant red, so I trekked up behind the house and across our little creek for some closeup shots with my new iPhone 5S.  


Red red maple.. pretty.. I'm not looking forward to the long winter with bare branches.


I trod through the blue vinca ground cover to spy the red leaves in the water.. 


Back down to the deck and a shot of my maple and hydrangea with leaves turning purple.


My little garden.. soon to be leafless. :-)


Did I show you my gold iPhone?  I love it!!  It arrived on October 24th, and I didn't get to open it until the 27th when we got home from our beach trip.


I've got to rush now to make my Daughters of the American Revolution meeting, then afterward I head to the pool for my 1 hour workout.  Will you do me a favor?  Please take a moment to remember and think about those men and women who put their lives on the line every day so that we all can live in freedom.  ((hugs)), Teresa :-) 



15 comments:

  1. A lovely post as ever Teresa. I can almost hear your voice as you write. I will think on what you gave sails and I must say both your Dad and Dayle look very handsome in their uniforms. How lucky to have two such wonderful men in your lives.

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  2. Lovely photos of your father, Teresa...and such a beautiful post. I also posted photos of my father on this day. Sending you a hug.

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  3. Thank you for sharing such a loving tribute to your father and husband. I think you look a lot like your dad, you have similar eyes and the same smile.

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  4. I have been thinking about them and am a little teary eyed, but in a good way, to see your wall of honor. Bless them both and all the others who give so selflessly.
    (p.s. I do love the color of all of the maples, but I love too the "bare bones" of some of our weeping ones in the winter.)
    Have a lovely day.

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  5. Thanks, Teresa. I am remembering and am thankful. Before Jason left for work today we thanked him for serving in the Coast Guard and Army Reserve. I love the views of the world around you :)
    Gracie xx

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  6. Thanks for sharing such a lovely post today Teresa, in honor of your husband and father. It made me a little teary-eyed! Now I see where you get your smile...your dad!
    Beautiful colors in your garden today....so pretty!
    Hugs....Shari!

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  7. Thanks for the great post about veterans. My mom's dad was WWI, in the Army, had a couple cousins in the Army and my brother in the Navy, my brother in law in the Coast Guard and my husband and I in the Air Force. Daughter was in Navy boot camp 2 wks when she was hurt. That was 7 yrs ago. It's amazing when you look back on the lineage of military service in the family. I liked the photo/shadow boxes. My hydrangeas are now reddish in color. I noticed a big bush of them another town, the same color. So pretty. Colors are a changing here for sure. Take care!

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  8. Blessings to you and your family Teresa on this Veterans Day! I will miss the gorgeous leaves of autumn too...wish they lasted a LOT longer!
    Blessings, Aimee

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  9. Lovely photos with your iPhone Teresa. I love mine too but haven't had the chance of giving it a thorough workout as yet. Buddy is gorgeous. xox

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  10. Thank you for sharing your special post Teresa....such a lovely tribute to Dayle and your dear dad...x
    Well done Caleb!...little ones are so amazingly technical these days, aren't they? Love the pic of Buddy too (who's looking a slightly mischievous there...he's such a little character!)....and your garden is looking beautifully autumnal....
    Susan x

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  11. A beautiful tribute today Teresa. Thank Dayle for me for his wonderful service to our country.
    Hugs and I love your new phone.
    Meredith

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  12. Lovely leaves! Ours are about gone here -- had snow yesterday! Not sure I'm quite ready for winter.

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  13. We will remember them Teresa. Love your tribute. Hugs Anne x

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  14. Veterans Day is so important and, I feel, sometimes overlooked.

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  15. Your father and your husband looked so handsome in their uniforms. Young men, sent to serve their country. Tell Dayle thank you from me, for his service. I am one who knows the value of country. I became a naturalized citizen when I was around 31 years old, but I came to this country when I was 3. If my mom would have become a citizen before my brother and I turned either 16 or 18 we would have automatically been one too, but she waited too long for it to happen. My guy was a vet, as you know, and he talked very little about the war, but he was proud to be an American, and I was proud of him. My daughter just recently got an iPad and today I got to try it out for myself. Pretty neat, so I understand why your grandson would be so engrossed in his game. They are addictive and can be lots of fun. Your lush green surroundings are surely showing the signs of the season's change. You mentioned tulip trees, or was it sweet gum (?) and I know we have them here in Ohio too. I don't have either in my yard. They are showy in the fall, bright colored leaves, so pretty. The Japanese maple is pretty, but out here I can't keep one cause they are in too open of a space. People in town can grow them because they are more sheltered. I always loved their feathery leaves, their delicate appearance.
    Susanne :)

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