Who We Are

Thursday, December 22, 2011

The Patriotic Tree

Ha roo, pups and cool cats!  It's me, Zim.  We still don't have enough snow out there for me to make a really cool snow fort ...

IMG_5697 Zim
"What an icy, slippery mess!"

...so I thought I'd show you more of the ornaments on our Patriotic Tree.

DSCN2633 Patriotic tree

Ready to take a closer look?

Up at the top, Mom tied one of Dad brass Army uniform buttons on one side and hung this cool eagle on the other:

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He's red, white and blue and is surrounded by a wreath of holly!  He's made of tin.

Another of the tin-type ornaments is this modified flag/heart!

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Look through the cut-out star... can you see the little soldier ornament? Here's a better look:

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He's positioned right by an ornament Mom made one of the Christmases she and Dad spent in Korea. Dad brought some of his fellow soldiers down from "up north", where he was serving in the 2nd Infantry Division, to Mom's house in Seoul for dinner, and she made those for all the guys. Mom said it was a very special evening! It's a good reminder that our troops are serving all over the world, some quite far from home and in harm's way.

Check out this sled ornament:

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The ladies of the Command Group at Fort Riley decorated the sled with a Big Red One decal and gave them to some of the commanders' wives right before Desert Storm. Dad deployed to SW Asia about a week and a half before Christmas, so that was very special to her.  It still is!

Dad spent many Christmases proudly serving in the 1st Infantry Division, so Mom also has this on the tree:

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She painted and quilted that one.  You can also see underneath the Big Red One ornament one of Mom's dad's brass buttons from when he was a Cadet at West Point.  He, too, served in the Big Red One!

Lastly, just a simple tree ornament Mom made with fabric from one of Dad's uniforms and some cotton batting:

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We hope you will remember to pray for our troops, wherever they are serving around the world.

It almost looks like snow on the tree, doesn't it?  Speaking of which... it's flurrying out there.  I better get back to my post!

I hope you enjoyed a look at our Patriotic Tree!  Please remember to say a prayer for our men and women in uniform!

Play bows,
Zim


14 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:19 AM

    Fabulous! Karen, I love the BR1 ornaments. I need to make some for my siblings. You've given me a project. Might need to do some 82nd ornaments, too.

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  2. We LOVE your Patriotic Tree and appreciate your paws service!! Our paw served too!

    Merry Christmas!!

    AROOOOOF!
    Boondocks & The Love Shack Pack

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  3. AWESOME! Merry Christmas!

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  4. What a great special tree. It's cool how there are so many special memories with the ornaments.

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  5. Such a pretty Patriotic Tree! We like the tree ornament made from your dad's uniform! We hope you get as much snow as it looks like is on that ornament!

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  6. What a very special tree! The ornies are just beautiful!

    Love ya lots
    Maggie and Mitch

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  7. The Patriotic Tree is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing something so special.

    The silvers and more

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  8. Your mum is very clever. Just saying. I hope you get snow for Christmas, Zimmie!

    Huffs

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  9. That is a beawootiful tree of memories, im! We pray fur our troops everyday, and am glad so many will be home for christmas to be with their families. We'll pray extra-hard for those who can't travel back here yet...

    jack & moo

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  10. Awww that's a really nice tree, you guys! I'm glad you guys paid tribute to the people who work hard every day to ensure that the rest of us get to celebrate holidays in peace.

    Sonic

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  11. Zim, your Patriotic Tree is just too cool! All our best for your snow watch. We hope you can build a really cool snow fort for Christmas :) Purrs,

    Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie

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  12. Very nice!!

    Cheers,
    Maxx

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  13. I love the special tree (and momma is filled with envy at your ability to take clear close up photos).

    Slobbers,
    Mango

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  14. I love this tree! It is so neat. We have our kitchen done in Americana. :)

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