Palomar Mountain News

It’s been a very chilly, misty day in the clouds on the mountain. Catching up at my desk with a nice fire going, I found myself thinking quite a bit about why we have this holiday weekend.

My dad was one of the many young men drafted for WWII, along with his neighbors in South Dakota. We only have a few photos of his time in the Army. The one that has been on my mind so much was taken with about a dozen young friends. They’d been working on the family farms just a few days before but standing straight and tall at the bus station, leaving to serve their country.

I remember Dad commenting about his time in the military, “I really wanted to be a pilot, but most of them never returned home”. He knew his help was needed on the farm. The Army needed raido men, too and that is what he did until the war was over. We’d sometimes pull out those photos. He would get a far-away look in his eyes but never told me more about the young friends in the small black and white photo. It is those brave young men that never came home, and so many others, we honor, especially this weekend.

I love the view from my desk. There is usually a flag flowing in the breeze out there. I’m so thankful for the sacrifice of all our military that defended this flag and gave their lives to preserve our freedoms.

Wish I had those photos here to share but that box is already in Missouri. Just a few minutes ago, the sun peeked through and caught my eye from my desk. So, this is for you and long may that flag wave.

Enjoy the rest of your long weekend with family and friends,

Bonnie Phelps

PS – If you’d like to see more Views from my Desk, an album is tucked away on my Facebook and you’re welcome to browse.