”One cannot have too large a party.”
The rain started during the night and was so loud it woke me up. The morning is dreary, and it is still raining, and it will continue raining all day. The dampness is chilling.
My dance card is empty today. I do want to clean the bookcase here in the den. It has been so long since I last cleaned it I could write my autobiography in the dust. Yesterday I cleaned the desk, especially the top shelf where I keep my collection of small wind-ups. They were covered in dust. I took a nap afterwards.
I have two concerts this week, tomorrow and Saturday. We are playing The Beatles. I always think of them as my music.
When I was a kid, lemonade stands were common. Kids set them up on the grass beside busy streets. They’d sit behind a small table with a pitcher and glasses on it. A hand written sign gave the price. Often Kool-Aid or Zarex was offered instead of lemonade. It was an easy way to make a little money.
My mother once had a D-Day party. She had maps of Normandy and the landing beaches on the walls. The Longest Day played on the TV. The dining room table was set in the corner and laden with food. My mother and father were consummate hosts, and people loved this party. It was just so unique. I didn’t know anyone else who ever had a D-Day party. There were aunts and uncles galore. The kitchen was, as always, the center of activity. The bar was on the counter. The kitchen table was ringed with people. The air was filled with smoke. People sang the songs popular during the war. I can still see my father standing by the sink adding his deep voice to the music. I knew all the songs. I loved that party.
Explore posts in the same categories: Musings
keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
June 6, 2024 at 4:22 pm
The family always told of Erich, a commando fighting for the allies and how he parachuted in on D Day, was wounded in the field and was promoted. He recovered from his wounds , returned to X Troop and died right before the end of the war fighting in to Germany.
But
It wasnt true. In recent years my cousin and i have spent a lot of time trying to review and assemble the history of the Nathan side of our family. It turns out he was one of 5 X Troop commandos attached to the 4 Commando that landed very early (7:20 am) on Sword Beach and fought their way to the Casino at Oustrieham .
His bravery was extraordinary. A 21 year old kid, fighting under the assumed name of Eric Howarth determined to vanquish the Nazis who had done so much damage to our family.
He was buried as Eric Howarth, under a cross and was lost but will never be forgotten.
I salute him and every one that did this so that we could live our lives as we do.
June 6, 2024 at 7:33 pm
My Dear Hedley,
Why did he fight under an assumed name?
You were lucky, I think, to find the truth of your relative’s service. Your family’s story and the one you found both center on bravery and the pain and sadness of the death of too young a man.
The war dead need to be honored and forever remembered.
I salute my father who went to war at age 17.
June 6, 2024 at 7:40 pm
Kat, he was a Jewish refugee from Ulm Germany who was part of a small elite group of approximately 100 men who formed X Troop under the 10 commando. Given most were German or Austrian Jews they all assumed aliases to protect them in the event of capture. To this day the records of X Troop have not been released
June 6, 2024 at 7:57 pm
What a chance he took, alias or not. He was a target as a soldier and as a Jew. Their service needs to be recognized. Their records should be opened.