Moments with Red, White and Blue Memories

Willie Mae, flashing a white napkin in the air, led a line dance to “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Sonny rarely rested, his feet carrying him on the dance floor at every turn. Mable said “I like to have fun.” Margaret told the band they would have to stay longer. Dale twirled the ladies, and they dizzily abided. A gentle couple…he dressed smartly in a suit and bow tie, and her in her Sunday best, left gratefully, saying, “Oh, such wonderful memories! Thank you!”

Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy once said that Life is not a matter of making milestones, but of moments. And such we did for a few hours on a recent Sunday afternoon at our “Red, White and Blue Memories” event sponsored by the Walmart Foundation for our Charlie’s Place clients and families. With the sounds of Ned Fasullo and his Big Band Orchestra, families danced, laughed and talked, shared memories and moments, and generally, put the future and their worries aside.

The dance floor was never bare as daughters and sons danced with moms, grandchildren with granddads, daughters with their fathers, and friends with more friends. As the Waltz, Rumba, and ChaCha dances were demonstrated by Ballroom Dancers Cecil and Neila Phillips, days of yesteryear and thoughts of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers certainly conjured in everyone’s heads. Songs like “In the Mood,” “Midnight Serenade,” and “Fly Me to the Moon,” kept toes tapping and feet swaying across a room filled mostly with what news anchorman, Tom Brokaw terms, The Greatest Generation, those who matured during the Great Depression and the Second World War and went on to build contemporary America.

They ARE the greatest generation…brought together for a common purpose with common values, like duty and honor, and service and love, the latter shown so transparently on the faces of all those present that day. And, might I emphasize duty and honor---how extraordinary these families and caregivers are who daily care for their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, and how special are those loved ones experiencing this debilitating brain disorder!

On an exceptional Sunday afternoon, we all MADE many moments, as Rose Kennedy put it; however, personally, my moments were those when I witnessed the faces of joy of this union of this greatest generation. For they all enjoyed a time that stood still, traveling back to an era so familiar and relishing lives, bygone days and music, which all, for a few short hours, remained seemingly unchanged for them. Their moments, like mine, were capsulated in an hour-glass with no sand as the hands of time were oblivious to the face of Alzheimer’s disease.

I am grateful that I walked…rather…danced the journey with all of them.

Dana Territo


Programs Department: Shown from left to right: Ed Picard/Charlie's Place Respite Center Coordinator; Dana Territo/Director of Services; Rashida Keith/Programs Coordinator, and Julie Brewer/Programs Coordinator.