A 4th of July to remember for Rock and his family
You may recall that my friend and driver, Rock, served his country for seven months stationed in Iraq. I am proud and happy to report that he has returned home safely and is back with his family and friends in New York City. This past 4th of July, my company, MSLO, extended a company invitation to view the fireworks upon the rooftop of our offices in the Starrett Lehigh Building. This year, the Macy's Fireworks moved from the East River to the Hudson River to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the exploration of the Hudson River by Henry Hudson. I insisted that Rock attend with his family.
It was a glorious evening and the fireworks were spectacular. Rock told me that there was no greater feeling than to be back home and view this most patriotic event with his family. Last year he was in California training for his time in Iraq and it meant so much to Rock to experience this perfect night with its perfect view. Please enjoy his photos and be sure to catch Monday's blog for some more amazing images from that night.
Hi Martha, First of all, I want to thank God for letting Rock return from Iraq unscathed, as far as I could tell by the fabulous photos. He and his family look extremely happy. How thoughtful of you to allow them and others to enjoy the fireworks from the top of the Starrett Lehigh Building. Couldn't have been a better evening. Delightful. I watched the fireworks at the Des Moines (WA) Marina up on the hill at my place. That was great, also. I was able to check on my dog who has very sensitive ears and he did quite well in the house. Hope it was a wonderful evening for everyone. Jan
Posted by: Jan Erickson | July 10th, 2009 at 1:04 am
.
Stupendous representation in photos of America's stronghold to goodness, beauty and family.
.
Posted by: andreaandweims on Twitter | July 10th, 2009 at 1:34 am
What a lovely idea to open up the terrace for the fireworks. It must be lovely to have Rock back - its a beautiful photo of him and his son.
Pru
Posted by: Pru | July 10th, 2009 at 3:51 am
7 months in Iraq! What a relief for his family and friends now that he's back home!
Posted by: Shabby chic furniture | July 10th, 2009 at 4:57 am
Oooh and ahh! As spectacular as the Boston Pops Show on the Charles River! Thank you for sharing. Please thank Rock for his service to our country.
Posted by: Teresa Touey | July 10th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Glad to hear Rock returned safely home.
x
Posted by: Alison | July 10th, 2009 at 6:46 am
I also would like to thank Rock for his service to our country. Awesome fireworks in New York. Philly's were gorgeous too.
Linda
Phila., PA
Posted by: Linda | July 10th, 2009 at 6:56 am
It was really nice of you to invite Rock and his family to watch fireworks from your roof. I am glad he is home safe and sound from Iraq. The three of them make a beautiful family and they look very happy too. Trish
Posted by: Trish | July 10th, 2009 at 7:06 am
I love fireworks!!
Posted by: Maureen | July 10th, 2009 at 7:17 am
ROCK Rocks! If it was not for people like ROCK, we would not be able to watch fireworks on the 4th of July! Thanks to his wife and Son for sharing ROCK with us!
Posted by: Rpm | July 10th, 2009 at 7:53 am
I imagine Rock loves that chair as much Nicholas. Marisol is a lovely woman, I hope all goes well in the future and she, Rock and the Superman chair sit together for many more July 4th celebrations.
Posted by: Margie | July 10th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Martha,
I'm so glad to hear about Rock again! We've been wondering...thanks for the inside scoop! 'Spectacular'!
I think the old adage, 'Like father, like Son' applies to 'both' of these Supermen! And let's not forget 'Lois', Marisol! Behind every great Superman is a Super Woman!
Thank God you're all together! And thank you for the service to us!
Posted by: tinay | July 10th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Indeed, we DO thank the Lord for keeping Rock safe while in Iraq and for delivering him back to his beloved family and to 'us' - an extended family of yours, Martha... As fellow-blogger 'Rpm' states, there'd be no reason to celebrate July 4th, if it wouldn't be for the service given to our country like all the 'Rocks' thru the ages. The older I get (I'm still young-ish! [giggle] ), the more patriotic I've become. Oh, if we could just keep certain historical events in the forefront of our minds, I think we'd live our lives differently! - with more gratitude, appreciation, and thankfulness for simpler things right around us, tangible or not...
Like Margie, too, I wish manymany more meaningful July 4th celebrations for Rock's family (and for our extended Martha-family, too!)
=^..^=
Posted by: Cindy Bricker | July 10th, 2009 at 11:03 am
How wonderful of you to share the fireworks on the rooftop with your work family. Even more wonderful is seeing Rock home safe with his family. Please pass my gratitude for helping keep our country safe to him and his family.
Posted by: Sonya W. | July 10th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
God bless Rock for his dedicated service and, happily, he returned home safely to his dear family. How fitting and lovely to be invited to watch the spectacular fireworks from the top of your building...special for Rock and his family, i'm sure!
Posted by: sherey | July 10th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Many of us don't personally know soldiers in Iraq, but Rock's story has been a window into the real sacrifices American families make on behalf of all of us. Thank you for sharing it with us and all the best to Rock and his lovely family. I hope the other guests toasted his bravery and celebrated his safe return on such a fitting occasion.
Posted by: BW Austen | July 10th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Thanks to all our brave soldiers for protecting and upholding the principles stated in our Declaration of Independence. Our soldiers protect more than those now living, they protect the principles of freedom for generations to come.
Even an object as simple as a child's Superman chair can remind us how important those principles are. To create that chair, and ALL of the fabulous values that we enjoy here at Martha's website, requires that men be left free to pursue happiness and be left free from tyranny and theft of property. For man to be left to live his life as he desires and to choose his values and keep the property he works to obtain, requires brave men and women who are willing to stand up and fight for those principles. The right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness should NEVER be forgotten or forsaken.
Thank you soldier. Thank you Rock.
Posted by: Lara Piper Hull | July 10th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
From one military family to another: Glad he is home safely and many thanks to he and his family.
Posted by: The Blushing Hostess | July 10th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I'm so glad to see him with his loving family spending the patoriotic moment together.
Being as a Marine's wife myself, I know it's very tough to send our loved one away.
Thank you so much for your service, Rock. Also I'd like to thank Rock's wife and his son for their sacrifices.
Martha, Thank you so much for sharing Rock's story. You are very generous.
Semper Fi,
((HUGS))
Lea
Posted by: Lea | July 10th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I am grateful to Rock and his comrades and glad Rock made it home safely. I am also grateful for the glimpse of the spectacular Macy's fireworks since by the time the sun went down here in Hollister (central California) I was already so cold I had to retreat inside under my blanket and missed the fireworks here.
Posted by: Elizabeth Gage | July 10th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story. We all need to honor and remember our members of the armed forces. Thanks again
Posted by: Lory Wheeler | July 11th, 2009 at 2:14 am
I am a friend of rocky's sister and was so excited to see this I thought that this was so cute! It's great to see them together and really have daddy and son time. You're so great martha for posting all of these great things about him on here I always get the updates from his sister! Oh yea by the way we'll see you in september because we are comming to the show!
Posted by: Rachel | July 11th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
It's nice to see Rock enjoying this special time with his proud family. It warms my heart. I'm sure everyone had a really nice time at your fireworks party. How very nice of you to share the roof
Posted by: Vicki from Ohio | July 12th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Great photos, thank you for sharing them! I was so glad to hear Rock made it home safely! I glad he got to enjoy them with his family. beautiful night there looks like you all had a lovely evening. Please add my thanks to Rock also for his service to our country! Wendy
Posted by: Redsoxgal | July 12th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
There is no greater gift than to share a special time with special friends who deserve all the best. Those who serve our country are at the top of my list. I'm glad your friend and coworker is home safe. By the way, our fireworks got rained out. Thanks for sharing yours.
Posted by: Bev Goeringer | July 13th, 2009 at 8:28 am