Tuesday, September 13, 2011

As long as we’re remembering...

let’s go back to a happier time.

World War II.

Here’s “Tangerine” performed by the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Bob Eberle, and Helen O'Connell (3:15)

Here’s “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B” performed by The Andrews Sisters (2:22)

Here’s “Moonlight Serenade” performed by the Glenn Miller Orchestra (3:25)

Here’s “Pennsylvania 6-5000” performed by the Glenn Miller Orchestra (3:13)

Here’s “I'll Never Smile Again” performed by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, and the Pied Pipers (3:11).

Did you know that World War II was the deadliest military conflict in history? Over 60 million people were killed. I could give you a country-by-country breakdown, but I won't.

During those terrible years, while the dead were dying, the living were doing what they do best:

Living.

Life is full of both heartbreak and ecstasy. It can be terrifying, and it can be wonderful. There are times of laughter, and there are times of tears. We try to put the terror and the tears out of our minds and remember the happy times.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that often times things did not happen the way we remember them.

But my mother used to counter all looks of incredulity with “Vas you dere, Charley?”

7 comments:

  1. World War II? Almost comes into the category of 'Been there, done that!' for people as old as us...!

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  2. Jinksy, but only almost...I was four when it ended.

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  3. The only song I didn't know in this list is 'Tangerine'. So that's the link I followed. Soon after I lost the will to live, so I quickly returned here. I'd hate to be another victim of WWII.
    Not my kind of music, dear Boob, sorry, Bob (still sniggering), but there's no accounting for taste ;-)

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  4. things always ALWAYS happened the way i remembered them<><>so there

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  5. Carolina, you can lead a horse's owner to water, but you can't make her drink.

    Putz, but how can you be sure without a second opinion? I am told that siblings remember the same events quite differently. Being an only child, I wouldn't know.

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  6. I feel I can hear your Mum's words.... perhaps because my Grandmother was a White Russian emigre, and said the same sorts of things...

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  7. Katherine, Mama was white but not a Russian emigre. Her grandparents were German and English. She didn't speak with an accent. She was repeating an old vaudeville comic's schtick.

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