Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

Tag: United States

  • Happy Veterans Day


    Today is a Veterans Day. A day to be thankful for all that we are blessed to share in the United States of America. A day to give thanks, and a day to remember those who fought the wars and never returned home.

    I was blessed to have my husband return home. No, he was not the same man I married. I observed much just by looking in his eyes, and the quick way he looked away from me. I knew there was sadness, and although I tried to get him to communicate his pain, he would not. He was so different. Angry. Suspicious. More quick-tempered than he was just before he left for the fears and devastation of Vietnam. Jealous — more prevalent than ever!

    Over the years, I’ve learned what triggers him, and even though I cannot understand it, I am quick to let him know his jealous rages and fears are not directed at me, nor are they acceptable; therefore, I don’t tolerate them. I simply walk away until the storm dissolves.

    Today, I hugged him, wishing him a Happy Veterans Day. Today, we have a new generation of Veterans, and I hope our nation will appreciate them and treat them better than the Vietnam Veterans were treated when arriving home. I recall when my husband arrived home, I stood waiting at the airport in Atlanta, GA until his plane arrived at 2:30am. I bounced into his arms, ecstatic that he was home. When we drove to Charleston for him to see his family, the reaction and welcome home was “Oh…it’s you.” No bear hugs. No embraces. No thank you’s…No celebrations…only coldness…Not even a home cooked meal, cookies or his favorite cake…this from his immediate family! I wanted to scream at them so they would welcome him home…

    Today, my wish is that when a soldier returns from a tour of duty that his family embraces him or her and makes them feel as if they were missed and appreciated. I suppose we, the families of the Vietnam era, remember how cold and uncaring our Veterans from Vietnam were treated. At airports they were shunned…sometimes spat upon. Let us pray that this never happens again. Only last week on the evening news I heard about a bunch of soldiers returning home via airplanes. People from first-class of the flight actually acted first-class – giving up their first-class service and comfort so the soldiers could fly in first-class. This story made me proud.

    Maybe the United States learned something from the Vietnam era. Life is so precious, and when we have life, we must cherish it. For Veterans, I say a simple thank you for your service and welcome home. I hope this Veterans Day 2013 is a joyous day for you and your family. Remember the good times and be thankful that today is a well deserved day of recognition for you. Happy Veterans Day, and Thank you for your service!Image

  • Happy Thanksgiving to the United States of America, 2012


    Gobble. Gobble. We awoke to a beautiful morning. Warming the oven, we pop the turkey in, ready and excited to make our delicious Thanksgiving meal. Thanksgiving has been a tradition in America since the pilgrims. Just imagine cooking that delicious meal the way the pilgrims cooked. No microwave. No conventional ovens. No electric ovens. Everything was cooked using all that they had to use back in those days. The days before electricity. The days without convenience, or technology. Just imagine, not being able to communicate with precious long distance loved ones far away. No e-mail. No texting. No Facebook.

    I, for one, am happy I didn’t live back in those days. The days before women had rights. Nonetheless, today is a Thanksgiving Day that is always precious to me and my family. On this date many years ago, my husband shipped out from Ft. Dix to Vietnam. Seems the military could care less about holidays!  Phil and I were newlyweds at that time and I was staying with his family while he was away. At least that is what he wanted me to do, but when his father (and I use the term loosely) chose to stay drunk 24 hours a day, telling me that ‘I had only married my husband because I wanted his money.’ I was only 18-years-old at the time. He was a PFC in the Army. His family lived in a trailer. Enough Said! Let’s just say, our marriage started off without much planning. I didn’t meet his family UNTIL AFTER OUR MARRIAGE. How I was hoping and praying Phil would not behave like they did. After my father-in-law’s drunkenness continued, I chose to move back to my mother’s home. Not a good decision, but it was the only decision I had.

    OK, let’s flash forward to our Thanksgiving time together. For two years of our marriage, the Army kept us separate. So now, I do my best to make certain Thanksgiving is special. I use my best china, and I cook lots of food. We have enough leftovers to feed us for at least three days.

    Our dinner feast included:

    Roast turkey with homemade cornbread dressing with Italian sausage and giblets

    Macaroni and cheese

    Mashed potatoes

    Gravy

    Dessert – Cream cheese pound cake and cheesecake

    What was your Thanksgiving feast?

    This year I was sick for four weeks with bronchial asthma. So sick and weak I failed to invite anyone over for Thanksgiving.  Next year, I’m hopeful I will not get sick so I can work on that. I simply love cooking for others. The year 2012 has kept me busy so I haven’t exactly shared my cooking skills with others. Oh well. Tomorrow is another day!

    My wish for everyone on this Thanksgiving Day is to appreciate others. Take a moment to share your love with your friends, family and significant others while enjoying this special day of thanksgiving.

    I hope all of your holidays are filled with happiness. Remember to take time to say a prayer for our United States of America Armed Forces. Let us hope that all of them know how much we miss them and appreciate all that they are doing to keep America safe.

    May your holidays be wonderful, and please, remember to keep Christ in Christmas.