Saturday 9: Soldier

 

Soldier

Saturday 9: Soldier (2016)

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 mom's dad (my Grandpa- Carl Oslin) was in WWII...stationed in Germany.  My Uncle (My dad's brother- Gary Burkett) was killed in Vietnam.  My nephew Brian is active military and flies Blackhawk helicopters now and also works on them.  He just went through training to learn to fly not long ago.  He has been in the military a while though as a mechanic.

2) This song is about the courage it takes for soldiers to march into battle. Gen. Patton said, "The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers." He was emphasizing that each individual's dedication is essential to the unit's success. Do you work well as part of a team? Or are you better on your own?  I used to like to work alone, but now I like to work as a team.  Teamwork makes the dreamwork.  We get so much done as a team and it is less work on me.

 

3) As of 2025, California is the state with the most military bases. Have you ever visited or lived on a base?  We have Ft. Leonard Wood not far from where I live and when I was in college, I dated a guy that his family lived near it and we went to the base one time I was visiting.  My husband has worked some at that same base building a hospital.  He does commercial constructuion.

 

4) At the turn of the of the 20th century, wristwatches were considered non-essential jewelry items, with pocket watches preferred for everyday timekeeping. During WWI, soldiers in the trenches needed to both synchronize actions across the battlefield and keep their hands on their weapons, so the wristwatch went from "fashion item" to "standard issue." Do you often wear a watch, or do you depend on your phone for the time?  I wear a watch.  My phone is big and I do not carry it around with me at work.

 

5) Jeeps were originated by the US Army during WWII. Back then they were specifically for soldiers deployed to the European Theater, today there are more than 18 million Jeep-branded vehicles on the road all over the world. Have you ever driven a Jeep?  no, but I have had rides in them.  I have a lot of friends that drive them.

 

6) While Ray-Ban Aviator sunglasses are a timeless symbol of cool, they were designed during WWII for a specific purpose: to give American flyers relief from glare at high altitudes. Tell us about your sunglasses.  My sunglasses look like dark brown cheetah print and they have prescription in them so I can see.

 
7) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food?  My mom used to make fried chicken, potato salad, baked beans, rolls and drinks and we would go to the lake for a picnic.  I have not been on an actual picnic in a while.  We mostly grill burgers/hot dogs and steak here at the house.


8) This marks the weekend when Americans traditionally step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the cold winter months. For example, when is the last time you worked in the garden or tended the lawn?  Mother's Day weekend I planted flowers in our yard.

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on? no, it is cold today.  I have the heat on.