Smiley Anders for July 4, 2012

This story, from Mary F. Simpson, seems appropriate for Independence Day.

It’s part of a talk she’ll give to the Broadmoor United Methodist Church’s “Holy Chow” group July 13:

“In 1948, I married my dear Mike, a discharged Army medic who had landed on Utah Beach in Normandy on D-Day.

“In 1976, our son Jim was married in Colorado to Claudia, whose parents, Henny and Joe, had come to the United States from Germany after World War II and lived in Detroit.

“The day before the wedding, Mike said to Joe, ‘Were you in the war? I landed on Utah Beach on D-Day.’

“Joe replied, ‘Yes, I was on Utah Beach on D-Day, but I was in a bunker shooting at Americans on the beach.’

“Over the years, these two ‘enemy’ veterans became best friends, and never failed to marvel at that 1944 connection.

“Both Mike and Joe are now resting in a much safer place.

“One more short memory:

“In 1994, a neighborhood teenager, a student at a prestigious private school, asked where we were going on vacation.

“I said, ‘To France for the 50th anniversary of D-Day.’

“The young man asked very seriously, ‘What is D-Day?’

“After my shock and disbelief, I suggested he ask his parents or his history teacher.

“I am truly hopeful he got an appropriate answer.”

Generation gap blues

Audrey F. Schilling says you should be careful using old sayings around young people — especially if they’re wearing badges:

“In the 1970s I received a traffic ticket on Winbourne Avenue, describing a green and white Chevrolet. I was driving a white over green Olds 98.

“I tried to point out the discrepancy, and was bluntly told by the young officer not to talk — to just say ‘Yes sir’ and go to court.

“I was steamed, and shot back, ‘You must think I’m Ned in the primer.’

“He took the ticket and added, ‘Use of profanity.’

“A very young judge (Doug Moreau) reviewed my vehicle title and other data and, stifling a grin behind his hand, dismissed the thing.”

Redneck engineering?

Keith Horcasitas, troubled by a flooding washing machine, pulled out of its drain a small PVC pipe with duct tape on one end.

He says, “Apparently the previous owner of the house used it to guide the drainage hose from the washing machine.”

It seems the person who did that shared my philosophy of repairing: “If it can’t be fixed with duct tape or a hammer, it’s broken beyond repair.”

Helpful hardware men

Pam Fletcher says a recent note thanking the guys at Brother’s Ace Hardware for fixing a lock gratis was probably referring to her brother, Jerry Politz, or longtime manager Craig Ruh:

“My two brothers, Jerry and CPA Greg, have owned Brother’s for the last 40 years.

“They have given jobs to hundreds of high school and college boys and girls.

“As Jerry can fix or build anything, he has the knowledge to help others.”

Special People Dept.

• Leon J. Minvielle Jr., of New Iberia, celebrates his 95th birthday Wednesday. (Son Leon III says, “He served with the 7th Armored Division in World War II, which spearheaded Patton across Europe.”)
• Jimmie and Elaine Spangler, of Central, celebrate their 60th anniversary Wednesday.

Red, Rock & Blue

That’s the name of events to benefit two groups working to help Louisiana veterans: Blue Star Mothers of Louisiana and Support Our War Heroes.

Four years ago, Jacques Doucet, WAFB sports anchor, launched the fundraiser.

Last year it raised $61,000.

This year there’s a “Celebrity/Sorta Celebrity” softball game Friday at the Cypress Mounds complex; a concert Saturday at the Varsity Theater, and the “Doucet/Begnaud Invitational Softball/Kickball Tournament” on Friday through Sunday at Cypress Mounds.

For information, go to http://www.redrockandblue.com.

Dedicated educator

Rick Bayhi says Sister Mark Farris was named the first principal of St. George Catholic School in 1960.

On Saturday, after 10 a.m. Mass, the church will dedicate the school administration building, St. Mark Hall, in her memory.

Buyer, beware

Mel Prust tells of overhearing this conversation on a used car lot:

Customer: “This car doesn’t look bad. How about the shocks?”

Salesman: “You get them when you hear the price.”

Good question

Richard Guidry, of Zachary, says our seminar on overused phrases reminds him of this one: “To quote my son-in-law, ‘Say whaaaaaaat?’”

Discouraging words

Dudley Lehew, of Denham Springs, takes note of our list of overused words and phrases, and tells of the words he hears much too often:

“Get away from me, you dirty ol’ man!”

Write Smiley at [e-mail]. He can also be reached by fax at [phone] or mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.