Jun 28
2010

What’s your favorite Fourth of July memory? In my mind, I go back to my childhood in Phillipsburg, New Jersey where I watched my brother load his BangSite cannon, then pouf! Off it went, creating the most intriguing smell in its wake! I loved the caps and smoky “snakes” that writhed on the patio, and the community fireworks after sunset. My favorite pyrotechnics, however, were sparklers. I felt unrestrained joy as I waved those little firesticks in the dark, careful to release them before they could burn my fingers.

I knew that the day’s celebrations were all about the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Fortunately, I grew up with parents who taught my brother and me the meaning of national holidays. In GREAT EVENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY, I tell the story of this pivotal moment in our nation’s past. What stirs me most is the hopefulness that swelled like the hot July day in the hearts of those patriots. I wrote:

“In the sweltering heat of the Pennsylvania State House–now Independence Hall–sunlight suddenly pierced the tall windows. A new nation had just been born, upholding its beginnings as a city upon a hill for the entire world to see. Breaking the reverent silence, John Hancock brought laughter to the delegates when he wryly commented, ‘Gentlemen, the price on my head has just been doubled!’ After which, Sam Adams stood and declared, ‘We have this day restored the Sovereign, to Whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and . . . from the rising to the setting sun, may His Kingdom come.’”

I think his particular “benediction” continues to suit us more than 200 years later.

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Jun 16
2010

In my new book, Then Comes Marriage? A Cultural History of the American Family, I examine how, in recent times, TV shows and movies often portray fathers as clueless and ignorant. Commercials are some of the worst offenders—when was the last time you saw men, in general, treated in an intelligent, respectful way? Usually, the guy is floundering in some project until a know-it-all woman comes along. In one ad that I saw for a TV series, a husband reluctantly tells his wife that something she is doing is bothering him. She answers, “Really? I had no idea you felt that way.” Just as he begins to relax, she starts yelling, “Now that we’ve had that flashback to the 1950s, get out of my face!” You can bet that he does.
One friend tells me that when her children were small, one of their favorite fictional series was The Berenstain Bears because they portrayed good morals and promoted kindness. However, she and her husband finally stopped reading the books because of the way in which they made Papa Bear “a stupid goofball who would have been in deep trouble time after time if mama bear (or sometimes even the children!) hadn’t been there to save the day.”
I thought this was a pretty much contemporary problem, but then I just read a story about the first Father’s Day, back in 1910. The holiday began when Sonora Smart Dodd saw how fathers were marginalized by the media. She especially took offense at the way in which popular culture often showed them being lazy, drunk, or corrupt. She wanted there to be a balance to Mother’s Day, a time set aside to honor fathers for the truly important role they play in family life. And do they ever! Fathers are more involved than ever in bringing up their children; for example, when I was a baby, it was inconceivable that my dad would change my diaper or feed me. My father-in-law also considered that a woman’s arena. (I know there are many exceptions to this, but I think most American men fell into this category.) One dear friend, Debra Fretz Garrafa, tells of the way in which her husband stepped to the plate when their children were babies: “I traveled the weekends and my husband traveled the weekdays so he was a “Mom” in every sense 3 days a week and I did the other 4.”
Another friend, Louise Mordhorst-Takacs, summed up for me a picture of a noteworthy father: “I have a wonderful dad, he’s 86 and buys flowers for me and my sisters every Mother’s Day, Easter and every other holiday plus when he comes for dinner her brings them for us. He has always been a great role model for me and my daughters.” Mr. Mordhorst, you rock!
Happy Father’s Day, all you great men out there!

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Jun 11
2010

I recently asked my Face Book friends if they shared a birthday or anniversary with any notable Americans. One friend said that her birthday was also Ronald Reagan and Elvis’s. Another’s fell on Marilyn Monroe’s birthday. One friend said that hers was also the day that President Reagan was shot. I’ll never forget one of my niece’s birthdays because that was the date (August 6) that the first atomic bomb was dropped, on Hiroshima, helping to bring an end to World War II.

When I was a child, it annoyed me that I shared a birthday with TV star Dan Blocker. He was the older, heavyset, brother on “Bonanaza.” I wished it was Michael Landon instead! He was a good guy, though, and today I don’t mind at all, although I’m happier to share my special day with the likes of Emily Dickinson and newscastor Chet Huntley.

Does your birthday, anniversary, or other significant date coincide with that of a special person or event from American history? If so, what does that mean to you? I would love to hear from you!



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Jun 2
2010

Today my dad turns 88, and I don’t think he’d mind my telling the world about it. He sometimes says he’s amazed that he’s lived this long. You see, there was no way of being sure he’d make it past 22 on his birthday sixty-six years ago this week.  Back then he wasn’t just Joe, he was “GI Joe.”

A young man from New Jersey, my dad was waiting with his Army unit in England for the orders to invade France along with thousands of other soldiers.

In my book GREAT EVENTS IN AMERICAN HISTORY, I wrote about that turning point in World War II, which happened on June 6, 1944. General Dwight D. Eisenhower issued a field order in which he encouraged the troops to rely on God for strength to get through what would be a bloody encounter with the Germans. He told them, “Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely. . . (Therefore) beseech the blessings of Almighty God on this great and noble undertaking.”

President Franklin Roosevelt also led the nation in a time of intercession saying, “Almighty God: Our sons, pride of our nation, this day have set upon a mighty endeavor, a struggle to preserve our Republic, our religion and our civilization, and to set free a suffering humanity. Lead them straight and true: give strength to their arms, stoutness to their hearts, steadfastness in their faith. They will need Thy blessings.”

Around midnight on June 6, the Allied air attack began, followed by an amphibious landing in waters so rough that the Germans didn’t think the assault would happen on that day. Over 130,000 men landed–the biggest single day invasion ever–and nearly 5,000 Americans died.

Today I’d like to pay tribute to all the men who stormed the beaches at Normandy. And I’d like to say “Happy Birthday, Dad. I’m mighty thankful that you made it back.”

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