Tuesday, October 1, 2013




 
Twisting to the 60's!  What a great blog hop topic for those of us who have so many memories of the 1960's......  I'll be sharing  only a few of my memories, as this was quite a decade with many highs and lows..... way too many to write about.  I do remember twisting to Chubby Checker and Joey Dee with my Brother as we listened to the hi-fi in the living room! 
 
My usual thank you goes out to Madame Samm for always bringing great hop topics that inspire us to get out the fabrics and begin creating.  And for this particular hop, my thanks also go to Mary for organizing all of the participants and cheering us on each day.  Thanks Madame Samm and Mary!
 
After you have visited my blog, I hope you will pay a visit to the other bloggers that are joining me today on our trip through the 60's!
 
                   Gracie Oliver Arts (You are here)
 
I'll start off with a few items that I have hoarded stashed away for many decades. 
 
The peace medallion in the center is vintage and I bought it in a head shop in the 60's.  I wasn't a druggie, but I loved to frequent the head shops for great jewelry, clothes, and art work.  I could always find a great treasure.  Trippin', man.....
 
Of course, Kennedy was the "Man for the 60's".  That particular pin changes pictures as it rotates and has a portrait of Kennedy for the other view. 
 
I made the macramé choker, along with tons of other macramé items, in the sixties and seventies.  I still have a large macramé wall hanging out in my garage and can't bare to part with it.  I made lots of jewelry, purses, and even a vest or two.   
 
Lastly, I have my POW/MIA bracelets to show you.  I wore-through the first one after wearing it for more than 12 years, never taking it off.  Many years after that, I found a place that still made them and I ordered a duplicate of the same soldier that was on my first bracelet.  To this day, he has not been accounted for. 
 
 
 
 
Here's a newspaper article from 1965 when I headed off to Chicago to see the Beatles!  I went with two girlfriends and their parents and had the time of my life.  I remember that the tickets cost $5.50, which my parents thought was outrageous considering that amount of money would also get you into an Elvis or Frank Sinatra concert.  The Beatles were expected to be only a short lived "fad". ;) Even so, Mom bought me a new dress (yes, a dress..... that's what everyone was wearing to concerts in those days) and gave me spending money for the day.  Our seats weren't that close to the stage, but we kept thinking that we were actually breathing the same air as the Beatles!  What a rush!  I still have my ticket stub, the program, and a few souvenirs from the concert.  It's a great memory to this day!    Here's a link if you'd like to join me at the concert, 48 years ago..... (when I found this link... I shed a few happy memory tears)
 
 



Well, after that picture above, my hair grew out and never saw a perm again!  I believe this picture was taken in the early 70's, but I wanted to show you my VW bug.  It was brand new and a bright, sunshine yellow.  My boyfriend drove a beater pea green bug, my parents had a pea green bug, and my Brother had a drab, army green VW bus.  They weren't fancy, but they were hardy and dependable. 


 
 
I hope you are still with me.  On to my project for the hop.
 
As I said earlier, the 60's were full of ups and downs.  Turbulent, tumultuous and full of riots, demonstrations, and war .... a decade of contradictions.  I'm heading to that dark side now.  Toward the latter part of the 60's, my Brother joined the army and was deployed to Vietnam.  In those days, there was no email, no Skype, no cell phones, and no way of communicating except snail mail, which could take weeks to get to the US.  We never knew where my Brother was located and if he was OK.  As a Green Beret medic, he was always in the middle of the most dangerous action and it was a terrible time for my entire family.  I'm happy to tell you that he did make it home in one piece, even after being shot and living through more trauma than I can begin to imagine.  
 
This wall hanging is dedicated to all of the service men and women, in all wars, past and present, who have put their lives on the line for our freedom.   
 



I chose the typical hand peace sign, but added the POW/MIA bracelet to remind us that thousands of military personnel are still unaccounted for.  The blood drips are to remind us that wars are never really over.  Someone is always hurting, remembering, feeling the loss of loved ones, and knowing the pain of war.  The wounds of war never really heal.... thus, the constant open wound and the constant search for some form of peace. 
 



I chose a crazy patch design for my borders, as the 60's were crazy times ten!  I also chose some of the darker batiks.  I did batiking in high school and I often ended up with very dark fabrics as I would paint the wax resist, dip in dye..... and do it over again however many times it took.  Often, my fabrics were very muddy.  I couldn't find any fabrics from those days in my stash.  Most of them were made into purses and skirts and they are long gone.  You know how it goes..... just about every style comes back someday.... should have hoarded kept those too!
 
 

 
On a lighter side, here's Oliver in his peace vest.  I couldn't get a cute picture because the emblem was on his back and I couldn't get him to look over his shoulder toward the camera.  I bought this for when the power goes out in the winter and it gets chilly in the house.  He's only had to wear it a few times for a few hours, but it gives him some extra warmth.  He's one groovy (and toasty warm) cat!
 
 

I hope you have enjoyed my trip down the sixties memory lane.  As I've said, it was a great decade, full of so many momentous events and occasions.  It was a decade full of life lessons that took me from a young girl into a young woman.  Good and bad.... I cherish those memories.


Here's a little giveaway for you.  I've got three bright fat quarters for one of you.  They aren't from the sixties, but they kind of have that feel.  Just leave a comment and you are eligible for a random draw.  I'll make the draw on Saturday, October 5th, and will email the winner.  If you are a no-reply commenter, I will draw again...sorry.



Thanks so much for visiting today and please visit the other bloggers as they share their Twist to the 60's blog hop projects!



85 comments:

  1. Love your Batik in its table stand! Thank you for sharing.

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  2. Wow, what a great stop on the hop. You have shared some happy and troubling times. The whole decade was full of interesting history. Thanks for sharing your memories.
    Your quilt is increible. It really represents the 60s. You have inspired me.

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  3. The 60-s were a mish-mash of times and you shared it all so eligantly. I still have my MIA bracelet, too.

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  4. What a great tribute you have given. It made me tear up knowing exactly the meaning of your quilt by seeing it first hand through some of my loved ones eyes. Beautiful work!

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  5. Jeanie
    I really love the quilt you made and what it represents. I lost an uncle in vietnam. He was 26 yrs old. You made a wonderful tribute to that era.
    Thanks for sharing.
    xo jan@sewandsowfarm

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  6. Your quilt is so beautiful done and it represents a lot for all of us.
    Thank you for sharing and have a great day.

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  7. Where Have All the Flowers Gone. Remember that song? Vietnam was a horrible war and scar on our past. I'm so happy your brother made it back. So many didn't. Thank you for a wonderful tribute to our service men and women. I have a friend who lost her only child in Iraq. Her pain and grief will never end. Yet our government is too ready to do it again. When Will They Ever Learn? When Will They Ever Learn. Thank you for showing the darker side of the 60's.

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  8. Love your review of the 60's, Jeanie! Great photos. I was a little bit younger, but I do remember most of what you mentioned. Thanks for counting me in for the giveaway.

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  9. I love your quilt and what it stands for. I was born in the 60's so don't remember it but have heard so much. Thank you

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  10. Love your mini quilt. So much of your memories reminded me of similar things in my life. Thank you so much for sharing all with us.

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  11. It is looking lovely. Thanks for showing

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  12. I saw the Beatles too! In Washington, D.C. Thanks for sharing your memories & the chance to win.

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  13. It's been so interesting to hear a bunch of bloggers' memories of the 60s and to see the projects they inspired. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. What a wonderful trip down memory lane. Such a meaningful quilt you have created. Lovely project and post.

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  15. What a wonderful trip down memory lane. Such a meaningful quilt you have created. Lovely project and post.

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  16. Your quilt is beautiful and has so much meaning for all of us.

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  17. How very nice....you made the perfect piece for this hop!!! I just love your project!! Thanks for the giveaway too

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  18. First Jeanie, I glad to hear your brother returned home, this was most certainly an emotional post for me in a nice way of course...loved your photos, your bug, wellll everything.....yes imagine no technology except old fashion mail....

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  19. Thanks for the great post! The newspaper clipping, the jewelry full of memories, the pictures. Also what a great piece you made, so much meaning. Thanks again.

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  20. Love your peace sign. That is something that we all need to do is pray for peace. I live in such a great country and feel so bad for all those that don't. Thanks for having such a great give away. Those prints would come in handy for some little project.

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  21. What a perfect piece to represent the 60's! Yes, there were some hard days during that time. Very touching and such a beautiful tribute to those who served.

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  22. I so enjoyed your post today. Both the dark and the light :-) side of it.
    Your quilt is really very nice, and you deserved to be one of top 2.

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  23. Such a nice table topper and the meaning behind it is very special. Thanks for sharing with us!

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  24. Wonderful post and creation. Really portrays the sixties.

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  25. Great post and quilt!
    Lucky you going to see the Beatles - I was too young!

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  26. I enjoyed reading our portrayal of the 60s. It brought back a lot of memories.

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  27. Jeanie,Your wall hanging is an important message to all of us--to remember and never forget. All the wars, the riots, and the bombings have taken away people that are very dear to others. There were a lot of good memories in the 60's, but after thinking about it, there were also a lot of sad ones. Two great leaders lost their lives- President kennedy and Martin Luther King. I lost four friends during this time. All of them were still in their teens. But I guess every decade has the good and the bad. Thank you for a great post and a job well done.

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  28. What a walk down memory lane for you. I don't remember much of that era since I was born in '61. I do remember the tie dyed thing and going to Texas with my parents to pick up an uncle returning from Vietnam. I can't imagine what everyone at home and abroad went through at that time. My son in law is in the reserves and stationed in Afghanistan for a year and that was hard even when we had communication. Have a wonderful and groovy day
    tvbart@charter.net

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  29. What a walk down memory lane for you. I don't remember much of that era since I was born in '61. I do remember the tie dyed thing and going to Texas with my parents to pick up an uncle returning from Vietnam. I can't imagine what everyone at home and abroad went through at that time. My son in law is in the reserves and stationed in Afghanistan for a year and that was hard even when we had communication. Have a wonderful and groovy day
    tvbart@charter.net

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  30. Great reflections on the good-bad-...and ugly War...shall we say!! We learn from yesteryears. Beautiful peace symbols!

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  31. I truly enjoyed your story down memory lane. I remember when they started but I was too young to go to a concert. I bet if I was older I would have wanted to go. Your quilt fits perfect with the times and you did a beautiful job with it.

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  32. Very moving piece, Jeanie. I still have my POW bracelet but do not know if my fellow ever made it home. How do you find out? Also I didn't realize that you are from Champaign. I am and IL girl living just up the road in Bloomington-Normal area from 69 to 97.

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  33. Great post .Your quilt is gorgeous.Thanks for sharing!!

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  34. Jeanie your quilt is so far out! You did an excellent job! I was a kid in the '60's but I did have a POW/MIA bracelet too. Peace baby!

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  35. I was a Beatle fan as well and love the doggie coat

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  36. Love the quilt. It is so symbolic. Thanks so much for sharing. i have always been a Beatles fan - never saw them as a group, but did manage to catch a P. McCartney concert a couple of months ago. The man is still awesone

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  37. What a fun post...and your work is "outta sight"!

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  38. This was a great little trip down a groovy memory lane. I'd forgotten about those MIA bracelets...so cool that you still have yours, but sad that he was never found. I'm lucky my husband came home safely and no one is wearing a bracelet with his name on it. I had a VW Carmen Ghia...ah, such great memories of that car! Your mini quilt is so beautiful and touching. I love it!

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  39. Wow, you did some really awesome things when you were younger babscorbitt@ gmail dot com

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  40. Jeanie- I almost forgot about those MIA bracelets-I still have mine as well. My husband and I met at City College in San Francisco but he enlisted and served in Germany and Vietnam before coming home. While he was away, I moved to a more traditional college town to get away from the demonstrations and chaos in my home town, SF. We were married in the early 70's. I love your "Peace" quilt and dedication. I also still have some of the jewelry and macrame which is making a come-back! "Thanks for the memories." Rosemary

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  41. What a great tribute to the 60's! I didn't have a VW, but I did have the long, straight hair and wore those peasant dresses. You did a really wonderful job on your peace sign. Thanks for sharing the memories!

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  42. What a great memory you have of a time that changed the world. I long forgot about my POW/MIA bracelet. I have one of them too. Love your cool yellow car!

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  43. OOOOh my, what a great post and a superbe work, you did a wonderful work and when you wrote all these memories, I felt being in the sixties!
    Thanks and congrats on being best of the day ! :-))

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  44. I enjoyed your blog and you did a fantastic job on your project. Thanks.

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  45. This was fun reading, you really went to the Beatles!!! So cool! :D Your quilt is so sixties!

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  46. Jeanie, your words held my complete attention. I admire your chosen project, plus it's very pretty. Thanks for sharing,Awesome job.

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  47. I love your story of the 60's, there were definitely some amazing times and tribulations. I really enjoyed quilt story as well, the story of war, your brothers homecoming. It's so moving to see you create something so beautiful out of something so horrible. A wonderful tribute I thank you for sharing it today.

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  48. What a wonderful tribute. Great job on design and fabric choices. Love your trip down memory lane. As a group we have so many shared memories, good and not so good., but we all understand.

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  49. How cool to go down memory lane with you. I was born in '58 so remember little. It has been fun reading all the blog hops. I love your small quilt. It is just so wonderful. Such a great way to remember those who fought for us. And little Oliver is just too cute.
    quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net

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  50. Thank you for the wonderful trip to the past. Your project is especially meaningful, knowing your thoughts behind the construction of it.
    Thank you again.

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  51. Wow, what wonderful work you do, it is so great. Thanks for the giveaway.
    smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

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  52. Such a fun hop! Love the long straight hair and the VW. Your art piece is a touching memorial.

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  53. you did such amazing work for this blog hop.....you are very creative and just love your art piece.....

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  54. You've made a very thoughtful project - I like it!
    It's my first tme visiting your blog and I was surprised to hear Oliver, a cat!, is wearing a vest. Mine would never do that. Invite Oliver to visit Feline Friday on my blog this week :)

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  55. My goodness what a great small quilt. It says it all. Thanks for creating a thought provoking quilt for us to adore.

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  56. Love your quilt!! So many messages in it. It stands for alot. I graduated in 1964 and have fond memories of the 60's and 70's. Thank you for sharing..

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  57. Your wallhanging is a great tribute. Thanks for sharing..

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  58. Your mini quilt is so symbolic... well done!

    susie
    legato1958@aol.com

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  59. Jeani this was a wonderful post. I too wore a POW/MIA band for many years. I still have mine and the one my husband wore as well. I love your quilt and the explanation that goes with it. Stirs memories for those of us "that" age. blessings, marlene

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  60. You surely took me down memory lane!!! I remember watching The Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show. I was so in love with Paul. He was just the cutest, most hugable man! I also wore a POW/MIA bracelet--but later on. I found out that we could get them during the first Iraq war for Viet Nam soldiers. I got one for a high school classmate who was killed in Nam. I met his mother (who attended the same church with us, but I didn't know she was his mother until his father passed away). I showed her the bracelet one Sunday at church. Anyway, I took the bracelet off and placed it with his name at The Wall in D.C. several years ago.
    I also drove a VW bug. My first car. I loved that little blue bug.
    Thanks for your post. Hope my reply wasn't too long and involved.
    Peace out!

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  61. You have captured the 60s brilliantly. I also wore the MIA/POW bracelet, had a aqua VWbug, a perm and a brother in Vietnam. It all seems like yesterday.

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  62. Thanks for sharing and for the great giveaway!

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  63. What a great post, I loved reading it! I love your quilt, it touches my heart having a son who wants to be a soldier and try to keep peace in the world. Thanks for sharing.

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  64. Ok, so now that I've shed some tears for the dark side of the 60s, I can comment. I, certainly, have been thinking of the war, President Kennedy's assassination, and the sad moments that they contained. You are really the first blogger who has come this close to the actual sadness that the 60s contained. I think your quilt memorializes that part of the 60s that should NOT be forgotten. Thank you, too, for your stories and your reminder to us all. PEACE really means lots to those of us who lived during that time and saw our loved ones off to "who knew what" and welcomed them home with love. Coming home for the soldiers of Viet Nam was sometimes not the best because of the contempt they felt from people who confused their anti-war sentiments with anti-soldier reactions. What a poignant quilt; thank you.

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  65. Pvery meaningful quilt. I enjoyed your story. Love Oliver's vest too!

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  66. Great seeing all your stuff from the 60's. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  67. Thanks for the fun post! It's a lovely quilt. Thanks for sharing!

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  68. I enjoyed reading your post and looking at all the things you saved for so many years. I grew up during the 60s too. Thank you for letting us know the meaning behind your quilt.

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  69. Wow what a trip down memory lane. I remember all those things. Thanks for sharing. Your quilt is beautiful not only in looking at it but for what it stands for.

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  70. Your little quilt is a perfect tribute to the 60's. Loved reading your story about your life in that era. Congratulations for being one of the top picks today. Well deserved!

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  71. Lovely trip down memory lane :) I had an orange '64 bug and a light yellow '72 bug...drove great in the snow, roasted my left foot and froze the rest of me!! Those were great cars. I love your quilt and what it stands for...military family in a big way, currently have a daughter in the Army, a daughter in the Air Force and a son-in-law in the Air Force. I need to find my POW/MIA bracelet!!

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  72. great piece with a lot of meaning held with in it.
    thanks for sharing
    institchesandseams@hotmail.ca

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  73. What a touching quilt! There is a lot of meaning there. Well done. :)

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  74. What a beautiful story. It is true, there is never an end to war. I love the symbolism in your quilt. It is amazing. Loved the peace cat too. I could never get my cat to wear that.....she just crawls into my bed when she gets cold!

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  75. Love this hop. I love your piece. Very special to all who serve and their families.

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  76. Oh How I loved your trip down memory lane and your Peace sign is fabulous. My most favorite part however is the POW/MIA silver bracelet!! I gave mine to my daughter who still wears it. She thinks it is so cool (she's now 35 but found it when she was in High School). I could never find the name of my POW on any register and never knew if he lived or died UNTIL, the traveling Vietnam Memorial came to our city!! I found his name and his history. His body was never found but I did get to read more about him!! Thanks for the memories
    Gmama Jane

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  77. Oh How I loved your trip down memory lane and your Peace sign is fabulous. My most favorite part however is the POW/MIA silver bracelet!! I gave mine to my daughter who still wears it. She thinks it is so cool (she's now 35 but found it when she was in High School). I could never find the name of my POW on any register and never knew if he lived or died UNTIL, the traveling Vietnam Memorial came to our city!! I found his name and his history. His body was never found but I did get to read more about him!! Thanks for the memories
    Gmama Jane

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  78. Touching! Thank you for sharing and making us remember.

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  79. Wonderful table topper. Great story. Congrats on being one of the chosen.

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  80. Love your project! And Oliver looks like one really cool kitty ;) hehe.
    I love the Beatles, too :)

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