With Socialist Germany destroyed and parceled up into Allied hands, Russia was the only remaining great nation where socialist principles held sway. But it was a broken nation and would take generations to rebuild into anything approaching the remaining power of the new NATO alliance. So The West discounted Russia as a real threat. Everyone took notice though when socialist rebels rose up to topple the governments of Korea and China.
My parents enrolled me in every music class they could in school. Choir. Orchestra. Marching band. I learned how to play the violin for orchestra. I learned guitar for marching band, which was fun, and then got to march behind the majorettes. That was awesome. I went to Minnesota state music festivals every year, and we even marched at the Snow Bowl Parade a few times. We didn’t even need warm weather gear for that. The marching kept us warm enough all we needed was earmuffs and we were good to go. Those were the days.
Many of you will be dressing up in costumes today. Cheerleaders. Long dead politicians. Brain dead zombies. Why do I keep repeating myself? I’m sure some of you will be sexy nurses or demigods with padded swords. Bug-eyed aliens, ghosts, and of course ghost busters are more favorites. Who you gonna call? There are always all kinds of people dressing up tonight. Just be careful where you go and what you eat. And have a happy Halloween.
In the aftermath of World War II, the Global War as the Europeans call it, they sought to divest themselves of their Colonial holdings in Africa and Asia. Many thought that if they granted the Colonies freedom newer and better nations would grow up with only minimal Western guidance. It had worked in the past after all, and at first it appeared to be working again. Then one battered nation put its stamp on the time period. Russia.
My parents pushed me to start singing at church when I got old enough. Like three or something. Churches like to start the kids out early you know. So at first I was signing out of tune and cringing adults clapped with encouragement. Then I was singing much better in the Wednesday-night youth group worship team. And I’ll never forget the day the pastor sat me down and told me I was on the Sunday-morning worship team. I was sky high. They taught me to sing. I can never repay them for that gift.