Sunday, December 9, 2007

The Little Things

Isaly's


Chipped Ham Land


Winter has got a good toehold on Pennsylvania now, as the cold, snow, and icy roads have become more commonplace in the daily routine. The holiday season is now in full bloom with bright colors, as hordes of shoppers armed with Visa Gold forage for deals at the local steel and concrete rendezvous place. Those able to enjoy such freedoms and luxury do not always see that such is so. Just today, Ms. Roberta Miller complained to me about a couple that she observed today, she told me, “I stopped at the store to pick up something. I was standing next to this young couple in their early 20s’ who were having a heated argument about which tree top decoration they should purchase. I made a suggestion as to how to attach the star on the tree, which the young lady wanted to buy. I almost told them that they should be happy that they have someone to share the shopping with, as I was headed to the cemetery to place Christmas flowers on a grave. They were so unappreciative of how good they have it, but I kept my thoughts to myself.”

This is not new of course, but it seems to be at a level that needs some attention. We are in the middle of a war, and those who miss so very much those little things that some of these brats take for granted. I hear constant complaints directly and through the media sources of people complaining about gas prices, food and other necessities … the same items that were restricted heavily during World War Two, but today are not under such restrictions other than pricing, but that is not a government controlled issue.

The good news is the number of people who go so far to the other side to help our boys over there out of love and kindness, which guides them, to do what they do to support the service members. James Ward of Westminster Maryland who is a laid off truck driver is responsible for sending thousands of miniature Christmas trees—ornaments included—to service members in Iraq and Afghanistan. He does this on his own, but now many volunteers have joined him in his show of goodwill. I am sure that he has brightened dark days for so many folks so far from home, so far from family, and so far from a world they once knew. People like James Ward are the Americans that are the true representatives of the majority of our country, quite the contrast against the backdrop of those who complain incessantly.

-------**--------

The photos are examples of little things that most miss when overseas. This is a small town Isaly’s store, with chipped ham, their famous milk shakes, and that small town flavor and service. I added these images that I shot, not to tease, but to give you a goal, and to give you something to hang your memories on…

Keep your head down,

Henry Hill Plum Pennsylvania

No comments: