I was born in 1951, in a small town and then on our rural farm. It was a grand time. The veterans came home in after the war, and wanted a time of peace for their children.
Peace. Freedom. We road bikes around the town, played all those games that kids play, watch all the westerns on TV. We all got measles, chicken pox, and mumps, which was normal at that time. We all went to our local elementary school, moving up grades 1-8 with the same kids.
Thing was that we weren't afraid of the world or our country. We had Ike! Eisenhower was the man who won the war and brought our men home. He could be trusted and was loved.
Our fathers were all veterans of WW2. Some were in infantry to defeat the Nazis. Some were in Army Air Corp, and others were in the Navy. Army and Marines fought some intense field battles in Europe. My dad was a bay gunner on a Superfortress B-29. They flew the CBI (China, Burma, India) hump everyday with a need to refuel in in China.
We felt safe with our Veteran fathers, and no foreign powers could land on our shores. Ike and our dads were our soldiers. They knew how to fight.
Time passed quickly when we were kids.
Now, for the first time in my life, I am afraid of our country. Unsafe, vulnerable, threatened--that is how I feel now. Will the Federal Bureau of Investigation descend on our house? Will SWAT force their way into my house? Will this post get me in trouble? Will what happen if I speak my mind in public? What will happen if I pray on a football field? What will happen if I try to defend our home from rioters? What will happen if... if...
This is not the country I knew back in the 50s. Our fathers fought for the safety of our and other countries, but now we aren't safe. Are there any military that will keep us safe?
What will happen now? Dear Lord, come soon.
"Before he left office in January 1961, for his farm in Gettysburg, he
urged the necessity of maintaining an adequate military strength, but
cautioned that vast, long-continued military expenditures could breed
potential dangers to our way of life. He concluded with a prayer for
peace “in the goodness of time.” Both themes remained timely and urgent
when he died, after a long illness, on March 28, 1969." whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/dwight-d-eisenhower/
I know what you mean. Eisenhower was what is referred nowadays as the 'responsible adult'. We also feel like orphans , without a responsible adult around, especially since the last general elections.
ReplyDeleteWell said. Orphans is a perfect word.
DeleteI remember childhood freedoms too. I'm not afraid OF my country, but I am afraid FOR my country should the Russian/Ukrainian war get out of control. I am also afraid OF and FOR your country, with all the shootings etc that go on there and the silly rules about what children can be taught and what they aren't allowed to read or learn.
ReplyDeleteIt drives me crazy. Teaching an 8 yr old about different ways one can achieve sexual pleasure? Are they realllllly a girl or a boy? We live in an insane world where the school does not inform the parents that they are counseling the child on the transition possibles.
DeleteThe only true safety is in the center of the will of G-d.
ReplyDeleteAmen! More people are coming to God, hanging onto political babel about religion didn't work for them.
DeleteRegarding Words for Wednesday, will you be posting them here on your blog or would you like me to post them on my blog, with a link back to you, which I am happy to do.
ReplyDeleteDone. Please post them on your blog. Too much going on here health wise.
DeleteSadly, our media is pushing for conflict as that gets ratings.
ReplyDeleteWould rather have info about Palestine, OH, and what is being done for them.
Delete"Now, for the first time in my life,..."
ReplyDeleteTake a deep breath. None of that is going to happen to you or me. You have to be one of the unlucky few to have any of that happen. It's rare to have it happen. It just seem like it happens a lot because of the news.
It is evil. We live in a retirement community, we don't carry signs in front of gov't offices. Cable news often spews such hate. But the culprit here is the lack of wise leadership.
DeleteI too had a father who was a veteran and I was a child in the 50's. It was a time of peace and plenty. I hate the chaos and insecurity we have been subjected to. Hoping for calmer and more certainty.
ReplyDeleteour lives in the 50s were simpler, peace celebrated. Now? Who knows?
DeleteI sure get what you're saying. Once upon a time our monsters were in the closet or under the bed. Now, they chase us down the street and leap out from most corners.
ReplyDeleteMonsters indeed. Scary image. Well said.
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