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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © J Hardy Carroll
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Genre: Patriotic Fiction
Word Count: 100
UNDER RED, WHITE AND BLUE
“You’re a grand old flag…”
In fourth grade Billy asked Nancy to be his square-dance partner.
“…you’re a high-flying flag…”
He invited her to the seventh grade sock hop. To his surprise she accepted.
“And forever…”
At senior prom he gave her a diamond. The next week he left for Vietnam, her promise in his heart.
“I’ll save all my dances for you, Billy.”
He returned missing a leg, fearing the worst.
“…in peace may you wave…”
After fifty years the diamond sparkles on her finger as she squeezes his hand. “Frankly, Bill, you were never much of a dancer.”
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
(To those who celebrate it.)
Thank you to the men and women who have served their respective countries.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Fabulous, fabulous story.
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Thank you so very much, Karen. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love finds a way
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When it’s true love it does. Thank you, Neil.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Very sweet 🙂
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Thank you, Maria Christina. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a feel good story. Lovely work, Rochelle.
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Dear Varad,
Thank you for such a sweet comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s so nice that they lived so happily ever after. You set it during a specific time frame but it works in any era
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Dear Larry,
You’re right. It could be any time frame. 😉 There has to be a happy ending once in a while. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You just have to laugh. What a sense of humor.
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A sense of humor is what can carry a person through the tough times. 😉 Thank you. whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Not sure how I did that.
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Dear Danny,
It happens from time to time. Thank you for letting me know. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You construct the story well, interleaving the words of the song and the story. I’m glad you chose a happy ending. Sadly, many real-life stories were far more tragic.
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Dear Penny,
Thank you for your kind words for my story. We all need a happy ending don’t we?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like those old stories. I’ve known many vets from a lot of different wars, and the images we have are seldom accurate. Combat tears through men’s souls like a grass fire, and if they are lucky they can piece together a life afterward. No matter what, the dreams will always remind them. Men don’t fight for their country or their flag; they fight for the guys in their squad, they fight to get it over with. All wars are avoidable (including WW2, since Hitler could have been stopped in the 30s if the financiers had not thrown money at him). All it takes for world peace is for every human to put down their weapon and never pick it up again. Patriotism is a meat grinder.
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Dear Josh,
I’m glad you liked my story which is simply meant to be a love story against all odds, not a glorification of war. I agree combat is horrible. I’m pretty sure my dad suffered the effects of WWII throughout his lifetime. It would explain a lot of his behavior. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I bet. It’s a lovely story. I knew several people who got married during or after the war. The bonds went deep.
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Thank you so much for that, Josh. Dad used to tell great boot camp stories, but rarely spoke of the actual war. My parents lasted 40 years..until her death in 1981.
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A lovely story, Rochelle. At least he made it back. I sometimes wonder how many of the young men in ROTC when I was in college made it back from Vietnam. Well written as always. —- Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Thank you for your kind words. Nice to read this morning. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you for the prompt.
Your story focuses on the human heart, which can be such a powerful good.
Shalom.
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Dear D,
Thank you for such a wonderful comment. It means more than I can say.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love your story this week–but then I always do 🙂 And thanks for asking us to leave our politics out. I hope everyone will.
Happy Fourth of July!
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Dear Linda,
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. It means a lot. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a great story of love and commitment. Love endures all. As a Vet of 3 conflicts, I feel extremely fortunate to have come home unaffected. The ones that did not needed the support and love of those around them. And let’s not forget the impact that humor has.It is also a great medicine for the soul. Love it…..well done.
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Dear Jan,
Thank you for the encouraging words. A sense of humor is often what gets one through the perilous times.
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What a lovely story, and one to remember in times of strife and distress. Love overcomes a lot, and it is worth it to fight for humanity, and for true freedoms for all.
Lovely!
I’ve left my contribution with the froggy. I bit of a different ‘mood’ perhaps, in these complicated times. All I can say is, that it can be an and/and … not always an either/or …
May freedom ring.
Na’ama
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Na’ama Y’karah,
Your words are a balm this morning. I’m glad you enjoyed my story and saw it in the light I meant it to be seen. Let true freedom ring indeed! Going to read yours. 😀 Again thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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XOXO Amen to that.
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Such a beautiful story, this week, Rochelle! Touching and interesting the way you wove in the song!
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Dear Dawn,
Thank you for your kind words. They brighten my day.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very touching story Rochelle, one many can identify with.
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Thank you, Di. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂
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That’s love.
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I like the photo of you and your hubby holding each other. That’s real love.
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Dear Phyllis,
The photo was taken a couple of years ago n our 45th wedding anniversary. Love indeed. 😉 Thank you re my story, too.
Shalom and Happy 4th,
Rochelle
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A couple of years ago, you must be coming up on your 50th. Any big plans?
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Our 48th is November 28th. Haven’t given much thought to the 50th yet. But I think we’ll have to throw ourselves a big party like we did for our 40th.
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Of course you should. And happy up coming 48th.
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Such a lovely story! And nicely structured too. I shall remember that.
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Dear Sandra,
It means a lot to receive such a sweet comment from you. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What an absolutely beautiful story this is.
Shalom,
Maria
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Dear Maria,
I’m so pleased you liked my story. Thank you for such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is very well written, Rochelle. Of course, I expect nothing less from you. You’ve smoothly incorporated a growing love, the horrors of war, the power of unconditional love, and patriotism, which is best served by peace. At least, that’s my interpretation.
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Dear Nobbin,
Your interpretation was my aim. Thank you for such a wonderful comment. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A heart-warming tale, Rochelle, of love that abides. ❤
Shalom,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
Glad you enjoyed my story. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are very welcome, Rochelle.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Lovely story, Rochelle.
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Thank you so much, Deborah. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I enjoyed your lovely and heartwarming story VERY much and loved the ending.
Shalom,
Adele
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Dear Adele,
I’m glad you enjoyed my story and took the time to say so. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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He did a pretty good job dancing in her heart. Good one, R.
Also, I liked your disclaimer/warning in your email. FF is no place for political bs.
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Dear Ted,
Obviously, Nancy didn’t marry Billy for his dancing prowess. ; Thank you, my friend and a happy 4th.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful story Rochelle and Happy 4th of July to you!
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Thank you so much, Iain.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I don’t know anything about square dance but your story made me grin from ear to ear. It’s good for the heart. Happy 4th of July.
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Dear Gabi,
Square dancing is definitely an American west tradition. I remember learning it in our gym classes in grade school. And, eeew, we had to hold hands with boys. 😉 Thank you for your sweet words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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LOL about the hand holding. But learning to dance in gym class… what fun. That’s something I would have liked.
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In the end it’s so much more than the dance and the falling in love that will last forever I think… a lovely story.
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Dear Björn,
Romance is nice, but that alone doesn’t make for a lasting marriage, does it? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful….made me smile at the same time it gave me a tear.
My take on this week’s challenge: https://dbmcnicol.com/friday-fictioneers-declaration/
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Dear Donna,
Your response to my story makes me smile. An author can’t hope for a better review. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such a wonderful story. My eyes went misty.
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Dear Abhijit,
Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
What a wonderful story, interwoven with the words of the song. It works extremely well. And let’s face it, no humour? No longevity in a marriage, I say!
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
You know I’m a firm believer that life has to be approached with a sense of humour. 😉 The most miserable people on the planet are those who don’t get it. Sometimes it takes a while for the punchline, doesn’t it. 😀 Thank you, my friend.
Shalom and lotsa hugs,
Rochelle
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Buahahaha! Yep… that it does 😉
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A heartwarming tale told only the way you could tell it, Rochelle! Simply beautiful.
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Sweet story! I’m assuming the words in blue are from a song?
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Dear Ali,
Glad you enjoyed the story. Here’s a link to the song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmVk_TrT7qM Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful story and I love the way the verses to the song are woven in. Happy 4th, Rochelle!
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Dear Brenda,
I hope you had a happy 4th. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh that was beautiful Rochelle, it really made me laugh at the final line. Brilliant!
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Dear Shrawley,
Your sweet complimenting comment makes me smile. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like how the diamond represents her emotional love.
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Thank you, James. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An adorable story. I was expecting the worst and got the best. And someone else’s remark made me think of an old Amish proverb from my youth regarding romance — “Kissin’ don’t last. Cookin’ do.”
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Dear Genia,
It does take more than kissing and romance to make a marriage last. It takes a whole lotta stubbornness. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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i love the happy ending. just made my day. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Your sweet comment makes my day. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the way you structured this story. If that’s not true love, I don’t know what is. Having fought in the war, Billy would probably have suffered flashbacks for the rest of his life, but at least he had someone who loved him with all her heart.
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Dear Mags,
I can’t imagine someone who experienced a war not suffering flashbacks. Good that he has Nancy in his life. 😉 Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You are most welcome, Rochelle.
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Beautiful piece!
Left me with a much needed smile
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Dear Laurie,
Always happy to leave the reader with a smile. 😀 Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story, Rochelle. Enjoyed reading it.
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Thank you so much, Kittyverses. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Welcome, Rochelle
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What a wonderful story! I feared for Billy’s return but loved that Nancy didn’t let him down. 🙂
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Dear Sascha,
obviously Nancy loves Billy unconditionally. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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💖
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