This week’s Six-Word Story: Appreciation and Sacrifice; Anticipation and Paradise
By Bill Quain
Hello Story-Tellers, this is the Memorial Day Weekend edition of my column. My leading Six-Word Story reflects the dual nature of Memorial Day Weekend. Memorial Day is a time when we remember the selfless actions of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom — “Appreciation and Sacrifice”. On the other hand, Memorial Day marks the traditional start of the summer season here in South Jersey — “Anticipation and Paradise”. After reading this column, I hope you’ll take the time to share your own Six-Word Stories about Memorial Day Weekend with all of us. You’ll find easy-to-follow directions for posting your “Six Words on our Boardwalk Bench” at the end of the column. We’d love to hear your story!
Why do those names have stars?
One of my earliest Ocean City memories was my grandfather taking me to the World War I Memorial in Veteran’s Park. I was probably about 5 years old. While there were a number of names on the plaque, four had stars next to them. My grandfather explained that those were the Ocean City men who died in World War I. Pop had been a Marine in that war. When I later learned how hard the Marines fought in that War it confused me, because my grandfather was one of the most gentle people I’d known. But, that’s the point, isn’t it? The men and women who answered the call when their nation asked them to serve weren’t disciplined, trained warriors. They hadn’t been raised to fight. They were ordinary people – teachers, carpenters, or, like my grandfather, a beer distributor. And, that’s exactly why it is so important to remember them – all of them. So, please take some time this weekend and say “Thank you” to the memories of those who died. While you’re at it, say a big “Thank you” to any veteran who made it home!
Memorial Day weekend; Summer is here!
The great author Mark Twain once said, “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.” But Mr. Twain, do you know what was even colder? Almost every Memorial Day Weekend when I was a kid. Finally, summer was officially beginning. A long winter of school and snow was behind us. A full summer of swimming and fishing was stretching out in front of us. But “stretching out” is a lot different than actually starting! I remember going to my grandparents’ house on 17th and West, and well… freezing. The air was cold. The water was cold. The wind was cold. The rain was cold. It was all cold. This wasn’t summer. It was an Arctic Experiment.
My grandparents had a small cottage – with no air conditioning, no heat, and no insulation. If we complained, Nana would say, “There are a lot of kids in Germantown who would love to be here this weekend.” Well, I thought the kids in Germantown were pretty smart, and I’m sure they knew better than to say summer had started – when even the seagulls looked cold.
But somehow, it didn’t matter. Sure, we went to the beach with gloves on, but hey… it was the Shore. And we all knew that no matter how cold it was, or how rainy it was, it was still (somehow) the beginning of the best season of the year, in the best place in the world. In fact, I think a good Six-Word Story is: “The Best Season; The Best Place”. When we went back to school on Tuesday, we’d always make our friends jealous, because we had been there!
In 2007, my family and I moved back to Ocean City… permanently. And, I always say one thing to people who ask me if I like living in South Jersey. I tell them “The only bad thing about living at the Shore, is that you never get to go to the Shore anymore.” There was nothing in my life that was ever as good as driving over that Ninth Street Bridge, and coming back to Ocean City. Now, believe me, I wouldn’t trade living at the Shore for anything, but I do miss that magic weekend – Memorial Day Weekend – when we’d get a fresh start every year. We’d get another chance to live in Paradise – just a short walk to the beach, and a short drive to the Point. Wow, ain’t we lucky!
So, for those of you who live here full time, start smiling. Summer is just around the corner. And, for those of you who are coming back down here, after a long, cold winter: “Welcome Back – We’re Glad You’re Here”.
OK, it’s your turn to write!
Imagine a Boardwalk bench with no words on it. It’s Memorial Day Weekend, and you want to share your story in just six words. What kind of memories or inspiration would you give us? In future columns, I’ll be sharing those stories – posting them on our Boardwalk Bench, right here in Shore Local.
Just send me an email, to bill@quain.com. Put “Six-Word Story” in the subject line, and give us those six words in the body of the email. Feel free to include a short “back story” for some context. And by the way, don’t be a stranger. Join us each week, and let the inspiration flow!
I’ll see ya’ in the papers!
Bill is a Professor in Stockton University’s Hospitality Management Program. He is the author of 27 books, and a highly-respected speaker. Even though he is almost totally blind, Bill is a long-distance runner and runs the Ocean City Half Marathon each year. He lives in Ocean City with his wife Jeanne, and his Guide Dog Trudy. Visit www.billquain.com or email him at bill@quain.com.
