American cemeteryFlorence, Italy
Photo: Casey Klahn
Today, my children are enjoying a day off from school for Veteran's Day. Yesterday, I was invited to attend an assembly at the school in honor of veterans. It is a good thing to have a community memory of the military service that some have provided. I came home with an apple pie, given to each vet who left the ceremony. That was nice.
A powerful image. The sacrifices made by our vets and current troops are unimaginable to me. Thank you for your service!
ReplyDeleteI thought of you today.
ReplyDeleteWhat a horribly beautiful picture.
Put some ice cream on that pie.
Thanks for the kind thoughts, you two.
ReplyDeleteThe evening after I took this photo at the American Cemetery in Florence, we ascended to a hilltop restaurant and had an Italian meal & vino, and were treated to accordion and Dean Martin-esque singing and a Tuscan sunset. One of the veterans sang Lily Marlene.
I never think of myself on Veteran's Day, but I do think of my late father's WW II service.
Casey, thanks for sharing that beautiful piece by the West Point Cadet Glee Club. Very powerful and moving.
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming out and recognizing that, Don. It is certainly a beautiful piece.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post and beautiful song. God bless all the vets and those now serving!
ReplyDeleteAmen.
ReplyDeleteI ate that ice cream last night, Sam!
mens voices all together..always stirring.
ReplyDeleteThe older I get the more I realize how many men and women died so I can sit here in comfort. It wrenches me! Thanks for the beautiful post.
Great image, so abstractly beautiful and disturbing at the same time. Freedom is not free, indeed. Thanks for your service, Casey. Enjoy your pie!
ReplyDeleteHi Casey, My maternal grandmother was a WWI Army nurse; grandpa served with Black Jack Pershing. Dad's dad was a submariner in WWI (!). I think of them on Veterans Day. And, the graves outside of Verdun. So beautifully, powerfully tragic.
ReplyDeleteDad and my father in law served in WWII as did my maternal grandfather and several uncles.
My husband in Vietnam and well, me, I did my duty in Saudi Arabia in the Army. Like you, I mostly think of my family and those still serving.
Where and when did you serve?
Thanks, too, for posting at your blog, Celeste.
ReplyDeleteHi, Nika. Glad you looked and commented.
Hey, Peggy! Fellow veteran and artist. I remember our father's generation when everyone was a veteran, and now it is less than 10% of the population.
I was a captain in the NG. I joined in 1975 there on the harbor, and was in the infantry. No war service, and my late father was happy about that.
Hi Casey,
ReplyDeleteI spent Veteran's Day with a dear artist friend who served in WWII... James Kirk. Heard stories of how he lost his leg, life on board ship, etc. Thanks for the song and your service. Great post :)
Bless you Casey. Your paintings are as lovely as your heart. May His Color bring you thanksgiving and favor. Marcia
ReplyDeleteWe've started watching Band of Brothers, on Netflix. Worth renting, if you haven't seen it.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo.
Hi, Ruth. That is the greatest treasure of Veteran's day - spending time with the old vets. I always ask 1 or 2 questions: What was your job? Where did you go? This gets 100% success starting a conversation with a veteran.
ReplyDeleteBless you, Marcia. Your kindness is appreciated.
ReplyDeleteHey, Jean. Did you get to the last one? The interviews with the real veterans are the best part.
ReplyDeleteNot unlike my dad's experiences in North Italy.