Front Porch Fighter: Only a Few Are Left

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Only a Few Are Left

This week, over 100 veterans of the Battle of the Bulge gathered in Tucson for ceremonies and sightseeing.

The Bulge was the large winter time battle that took place after the allies had the Germans on the run after the Normandy invasion. The Germans threw everything they had at the "Bulge" and nearly broke through. It was also known for the units of Germans that posed as GI's, the massacre at Malmedy and Gen. McAuliffe telling the Germans "Nuts!" when they asked him to surrender the Belgium city of Bastogne.

These surviving veterans are now in their 80s and 90s.

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What's in a Name?

Since a few have asked, "Why the name, 'Front Porch Fighter' ?", I will take a stab at answering it.

In times past, the predominant feature of most houses was the front porch. It was right out there in front and it used to be a gathering place for people from the neighborhood. Friends could come over and hang out, lovers could swing on the porch swing and moms would entertain with lemonade. The front porch was a place to get to know others and it signified a willingness and a desire to be in community.

The predominant feature on many homes built today is the garage. The garage is a place where you can pull your car in without anyone else having to talk to you or interrupt your schedule as you retreat into your private sanctuary. To me, the garage in front signifies a desire to live my own life and a kind of disconnect from the rest of the world.

While I appreciate some privacy and sanctuary, I feel that all too often, we are disconnected from the rest of the world and have lost a sense of community, which the home styles reflect. So, I am an advocate of the front porch....at least metaphorically speaking.

Hence, the name Front Porch Fighter.