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Friday, November 10, 2017

Veteran's Day 2017

The 11th of November 2017 is the day we celebrate Veteran’s Day in the US and Remembrance Day in Canada.
My deepest gratitude, respect, and admiration to all who have or are now serving in the Armed Forces and their families.

These men and women are the truest heroes that the world has.

I am very proud to have the liberties that we have today, because of those that have or are now fighting to protect my freedom.

To my family, Thank You!
Grandpa
(WWII - Merchant Marine)
Uncle
(WWII - US Navy)
Dad
(Korea - US Air Force)
Brother
(Vietnam - US Air Force)
Son
(US Marine - stateside, 
Cousin 
(currently serving aboard US Naval Ship)

Be proud and stand up patriotically for yourself and your country!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She was loud, but a true American, out of WWII.

Did you know?

It was well recognized that Martha Raye endured less comfort more than any other Vietnam entertainer.

I did not know this, I bet you didn't either. Don't let the sun go down without reading this about Martha Raye.

martha raye 1


The most unforgivable oversight of TV is that her shows were not taped.

I was unaware of her credentials or where she is buried.

Somehow I just can't see Brittany Spears, Paris Hilton, or Jessica Simpson doing what this woman and the other USO women, including Ann Margaret & Joey Heatherton did for our troops in past wars.

Most of the old time entertainers were made of a lot sterner stuff than today's crop of activist bland whiners.

The following is from an Army Aviator who takes a trip down memory lane:

"It was just before Thanksgiving '67 and we were ferrying dead and wounded from a large GRF west of Pleiku.

We had run out of body bags by noon, so the Hook (CH-47 CHINOOK) was pretty rough in the back.

All of a sudden, we heard a 'take-charge' woman's voice in the rear.

There was the singer and actress, Martha Raye, with a Special Forces beret and jungle fatigues, with subdued markings, helping the wounded into the Chinook, and carrying the dead aboard. Maggie' had been visiting her Special Forces (SF) 'heroes' out 'west'.

We took off, short of fuel, and headed to the USAF hospital pad at Pleiku.

As we all started unloading our sad pax's, a USAF Captain said to Martha.... "Ms. Raye, with all these dead and wounded to process, there would not be time for your show!"

To all of our surprise, she pulled on her right collar and said "Captain, see this eagle? I am a full 'Bird' in the US Army Reserve, and on this is a 'Caduceus' which means I am a Nurse, with a surgical specialty.... now, take me to your wounded!"

He said, "Yes ma'am.... follow me."

Several times at the Army Field Hospital in Pleiku, she would 'cover' a surgical shift, giving a nurse a well-deserved break.
Martha is the only woman buried in the SF (Special Forces) cemetery at Ft Bragg.

martha raye 2

Hand Salute! A great lady. martha raye 3


I did not know this about Martha Raye...thought you might like to read it.

12 comments:

  1. Cat,
    Great post! It is a very important day of national observance.
    Meredith

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Mere...yes it is and I think you and Jack for his service and both of your sacrifices.

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  2. Hi Cat, such a lovely post and I did not know that about Martha Raye, what an amazing woman! My deepest grattitude to all who have served in our allied forces and their families.

    Hugs
    Roz

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    Replies
    1. Happy you enjoyed it, Roz. I agree, Martha Raye was truly an amazing woman.

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  3. I first read it as (Vietnam - US Air Force) Son. And of course thought how can that be.
    Martha Raye was the real deal. She was also in Korea.

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    Replies
    1. Hahaha...that's a good one, Bogey...my spacing could have been better.

      I agree, Martha Raye was very much the real deal...didn't know she'd been in Korea...that is truly awesome!

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

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  4. Amazing woman! thanks for sharing this!

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, TheBibik...she really was amazing...a true role model. Thanks for visiting.

      Blessings...Cat

      Delete
  5. I really enjoyed this post, Cuz. :) Thank you to your family for their service! Always grateful to those who have given so much to keep us safe, and protect our freedoms.

    I enjoyed reading about Martha Raye. What a giving woman! Thanks for sharing. Many hugs,

    <3 Katie

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    Replies
    1. Happy you enjoyed the post, Cuz. I was fascinated when I received the Martha Raye info.

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete
  6. Wow.
    I had no idea - but am glad I know now!
    Thanks, chica.

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Jz...and now you know the rest of the story. ;)

      Hugs and blessings...Cat

      Delete

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