Another night at the VFW

 You all know I live next store to the VFW. Like everything else I have a million stories I could tell. Tonight was different, a Navy Veteran and a frequent visit brought his boat crew in tonight. They met during the Vietnam War and remained BROTHERS ever since the war. They were joking laughing and just enjoyed each other's company. I've seen vets joke with each other before but this was different. It was something I never witnessed. Men from all over the country assembled in the small town of Cape May to laugh, maybe cry a little, and just be together. I I immediately bought their first round. When they went to pay the bartender she just pointed in my direction. I just said thank you for your service. Each one got up out of their chairs and thanked me. I didn't write this to brag, it was a simple gesture on my part. Tonight I witnessed something amazing, life long friendships that definitely stood the test of time. Certainly worth more than a round of beers Folks I won't remember all their names and I know they won't remember mine, it doesn't matter. However tonight, this night, I will remember as long as I live

P.S. To those who "know" Top 40 definitely Top 40

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Trip to CT-- Branchville School visit Part III

People tell me not to dwell or harp so three entries about the visit to the Branchville Elementary School might be pushing it. However the closer I get to going up there, the more I have the urge to write about it! Call it a way of comprehending what is going to happen. I have told everyone I know about this trip which makes it seem like I am going up there for more than a day. Although the is the same reaction when I went do to Washington DC on my own, to visit Jane in Tennessee or even the license plate convention in Alabama two years ago. These kids are definitely going to bring back to a time with mixed feelings. I mean the kids I'll be speaking to are same age when things starting getting real tough. It was the perfect storm back then. My body was getting worse, and the more I tried to hide it, the more evident it became. I never wrote this before but since I could remember I) was made to wear a helmet while walking around the halls. I fought this hard and finally in fourth g
More Posts to Mattes's Madness

Trip to CT-- Branchville School visit Part I

This should be a very interesting post because originally I was going to write about my trip to Connecticut after it happened but since my writing is part of my presentation, I was asked by the people who invited me to write something of a preview prior to going up there so I could show the kids some of my writing. It all started with an e-mail from Tim Stentiford, a license plate collector friend and editor of the famed PLATES Magazine explaining how Kurt, his son, was having what they call a "Diversity Day" at his school. Kurt suggested I come up to speak and when Tim presented this idea to the rest of the planning committee, they loved it. Talk about your ego booster, this is right up my alley. I have spoken about myself at various venues before, even on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC My mom kept saying I had to prepare but I didn't know how. I have been bouncing a few ideas off my mom and am getting my thoughts together. I decided instead of typing them just in W
More Posts to Mattes's Madness

Mom Poem

Image
Allow me to share a few thoughts about a special lady named Mary She was well known for remaining calm even when things got scary Being the oldest of five children she was like a mom before becoming a wife While she was peaceful, she fought hard when needed to make things right When Peter walked into the Howard Johhsons he knew he met his match Mom was so creative she made our Halloween coustumes from scratch A glass of wine in her hand sitting with her honey admiring their yard An amazing woman who knew raising three boys was a joy and at times hard Her heart was so big, during her life she had three dogs Tyson, Rufus and Goober Mom's laugh was so unique and easily triggered by the most minor blooper She was the happiest woman when she became grandmom to Zander and Quinn Grandmom was their loudest cheerleader when they scored a goal for the win Known for thinking outside the box, more like cutting it with a sharp knife This is how Mom known as Mary to others, lived every day of he
More Posts to Mattes's Madness