Memorial Day...I remember, too as an Army Brat

Throughout the past years I have shared many Memorial Day memories of those within my family that have served/died/continue to serve and retired as military.  So, today...this Memorial Day...I am just going to share a tidbit of a memory of an Army Brat during a time within our nation where "CONFLICT and WAR" were synonymous to those fighting and "we" who loved those who fought for democracy.

Vietnam Era:

Pages from my mother's Okinawa, Japan photo album.

My step-father served during the Vietnam time and this is a photo of his locker while he was on tour.

Pictures of my youngest brother Matthew and step-brother Phillip are proudly displayed.  Cir. 1970.

SSG Sylvester Buddy Ellis-locker 

While my step-father was stationed in Okinawa- we came shortly thereafter and lived on the economy waiting for housing on base.  We lived on Mashinato and my father worked at Naha.

The picture below is me riding a horse.  An Okinawan man used to come by in the late afternoons and for $0.10 cents one could get an escorted ride on his horse.  I loved it.

May 1971-Okinawa, Japan

Shortly after this picture was taken, we finally moved on base and the below picture is with our maid Toshiko and my little brother Matthew.

I still have this kimono.

June 1971- Kimberly, Matthew, & Toshiko- Okinawa, Japan

My first day of school in Okinawa, Japan.  Going into first grade and we had to walk or ride our bikes to school.  I remember this day very well.  This picture was in front of our home.  I remember no air conditioning and lizards everywhere.  They were supposed to be good luck.  We lived at the base of Haboo/Habu Hill.

September 1971- Kimberly- Okinawa, Japan-First Day of First Grade

I would not change a thing in my life about being an Army Brat.  I had an education that only many dare to dream of having.  Growing up in the military may be tough but in the long run...we military brats can handle a great deal more than the "average kid" that grew up on the same street most of their lives.

So, I say "THANK YOU DAD" for taking us around the world with you...when you could.

Today, I remember...I remember well.

Heritage, Retro, & Looking Back...

So they say, anything 20 years old or older is considered antique, heritage, or even "retro" as it may be referred to now.  I have been thinking a bit about the 1970's and early 1980's and found a few things I wanted to jot down here in my blog.  Sharing, so to speak.

Karen Duffy- My best-friend from my youth.

Above is pictured my best-friend from Heilbronn, Germany circa 1978.  We were in Jr. High School.  We attended J.F.K Jr. High School at Wharton Barracks.  I lived in upper housing and she lived in lower housing.  We became extremely close and we were quite the pair.  Karen had Bay City Rollers Posters all over her room.  She even had jeans with plaid at the bottom.  She was cool.  She and I, were cool.  We were part of the "in" crowd.  But she and I had a special bond.  She had to leave abruptly from Wharton Barracks and go back to the States.  She was from Washington.  Her step-father killed himself at the motor pool.  It rocked our little "Cold War Military Community."  She used to send me care packages once she went back to the States.

Wharton Barracks-Heilbronn, Germany Patriots Softball Team 1977

 Karen and I played lots of softball with the D.Y.A.  We were an excellent team to only be matched by 

Patch Barracks in the Stuttgart Area.  We were huge rivals.

Wharton Barracks closed down and the community and housing is now occupied by its true residents. 

 The people of Heilbronn, Germany.

As an Army-Brat, she was the closest thing to having roots, 

a bond, that special once in a lifetime friendship.

I have not been able to find her. 

Me (in the white shirt) and my cousin, Deborah- Fall 1980

This is when I returned to the States.  Charleston, S.C.  My parents sent me back to the States on a MAC Flight.  My parents had that kind of pull in the military.  I was sent back to go to high school.  I had started at Stuttgart American High School and waited for my permission to fly back on a MAC flight with the troops to attend school back in Georgia.  My parents were not pleased with the school and the fact I had to ride a double-decker bus to and from school for 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening.

This was just not acceptable to them.  So, while the rest of my family was back in Germany...I was heading to Georgia and live with my grandmother to attend a new high school until my parents arrival and retirement from the US Army in the Spring of 1981.

Amazing that these photos seem just a few years ago.  Okay, more than a few but I see how curly my hair was then.  I remember having to iron it out when I would get dressed up.  I remember the impression that these years had on me.  On my flight back from Germany, the soldier that sat to the right of me said to me, "You will be in the States but your heart and soul will be in Heilbronn."  I thought he meant that statement because my parents and brother were in Germany and I was headed stateside.  But in actuality, it was the "Wonder Years."  The coming of age.  Yes, sometimes my heart is back there...in that time...in that place and with those people if only in my memories.

Remembering...

I have been scrapping this week in between decorating. I surely needed the break from choosing where things need to be "hid" er, um...stored.
So, I have been working on my Army Brat Memory Book. Enjoy!
Thanks for looking and I guess I should get back to the house. Have a terrific Friday and spend some time with your family this weekend. Create a memory together.

Wow, what a weekend!

I had a fabulous weekend. Scrapping all day at Archiver's with my friends. Sue and I enjoy great conversations, sharing photos, and scrapping together. We both shopped and I managed to spend "once again" an obscene amount of money. I just cannot help myself. I just have to have scrappy goodness. Here is one of the layouts that I created on Saturday. I took an old photo that was damaged by time, scanned it and tried to revive some of the color. I really enjoyed using different hues of orange that incorporated peach and melon colors.

I loved using this oriental playing card with the number of 6 that displayed my age. I simply enjoy clustering and lately I cannot stop! It is so much fun.

We had some snow yesterday and as soon as I upload the pictures I will post a few this week.
I love snow. It makes everything so clean and fresh.
I hope you had a great weekend and now onto the first week of March!
Time is going so fast this year.