This is the time of year for giving. I pledge one dollar to the Wounded Warriors up to $50 for each comment left on my blog post. Please join me in raising money for the individuals who serve our country with such bravery and selflessness. By leaving a comment, you will also be entered into a drawing to win a free book. Two winners will be randomly chosen. Scroll down for details. Make sure to visit the other participating Secret Cravings authors for more opportunities.
The Korean War is sometimes called the Forgotten War. It lasted three years, from 1950-53, and almost 5 million people died, including 40,000 Americans. Another 100,000 Americans were wounded. The 1970s television show MASH, based on a Richard Hooker novel, popularized the severe conditions of the war by depicting the daily lives of a medical unit led by doctors Hawkeye, Trapper John, and others.
My father served in the Korean War. Like most 
soldiers so far away, he lived for mail and packages from family. In my mind’s eye I can see him hunkered down reading a letter from home, while inhaling the aroma of lovingly baked ginger cookies. To celebrate the fortitude and bravery of those who serve and protect us–past, present, and future–and with particular commemoration for those who served in the Forgotten War, please enjoy this popular cookie recipe from the era.
GINGER COOKIES
Mix the following ingredients: 2/3 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup sugar, 1/4 cup molasses, 1 egg, 2 cups sifted flour, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 tsp baking soda, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground ginger. Scoop up dough with a teaspoon and roll into 1-inch balls. Dip in sugar and place on baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. If you want to go wild and add a modern touch, dip half the cookie in melted chocolate!
In the 1960’s young men were being sent to Viet Nam left and right. Although he volunteered to go to Viet Nam at the beginning of his enlistment, the Army chose to station my beloved husband in Germany instead. I consider that very fortunate indeed. He drove tanks and attained the rank of Sergeant. We met not long after his enlistment was up.
My brother also served, spending many years in the Navy and traveling the ports of the world to keep our country safe.
I’ll be giving away an eBook copy of my newest book Lord of Fire to two lucky commenters chosen at random. Make sure to visit the other Secret Cravings authors. Thank you for visiting and for your help in raising money for such a worthy cause as Wounded Warriors!
Cheers & Happy Reading from Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
Thank you for supporting such a worthy cause. Military life has been a huge part of my life, from being a military brat until my father retired (2 tours of Vietnam), meeting and marrying a man in the military (A Vietnam era vet), and now our son who has been in since 2001 with 7 deployments, 4 to Iraq and 3 to Afghanistan. We know all too well what it is like to have him overseas during the holidays. Even our daughter in law served 6 yrs.
Kathy Watts
Redrabbitt@aol.com
Oh my gosh, many thanks to you and your family for all your service. You can certainly be proud of them. Have a wonderful holiday and new year!
Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season full of love and happiness.
Happy holidays to you and your new hubby, Karen!
Your family has such a strong military history, Flossie! And as always, I love looking at the photos you share. My father served in Burma during WWII (I was a late-in-life child for my parents, the last of four). When the war ended, he re-enlisted and remained in the Army during the Korean War as well. By then he was married and starting a family. He served Stateside then.
He didn’t talk about his service days much, but I do have a copy of a book he wrote while in WWII called THE YANKS CAME. It was basically a daily journal focused on his regiment. He self-pubbed it and gave copies to everyone in the company so they would have a record of their time in Burma. I lost my dad when I was 13, so I treasure that battered book. It is now over 50 years old!
Mae, thank you for stopping by in support. I love that you have a copy of your father’s book. That is truly precious. I remember old movies set in Burma, including a Charlie Chan one. Those were sure trying times. Blessings to you and your family.
Thank you for sharing with us such dear memories! The men in your family were lucky survivors of the “game” only humankind invented – wars.
Thank you, Carmen. I guess wars will go on for a long time, eh? It’s sad.
Merry Christmas
Thank you, Tamara, and to you as well.
hi!!
Hi, my dear Kathleen Ball!
thanks so much for this great cause!
Thanks for stopping by, Danielle.
Warm wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!
Merry Christmas, Vicki!
Great post for a great cause.
Have a great holiday, Sheri, and a splendid new year.
Thanks for sharing your family’s military history, and thanks to them for their service. Hope you have a great holiday!
Thank you, Laurie. Have a Merry Christmas and wonderful new year.
Happy Holidays! The cookies look delicious.
Oooh, I’m glad you like ginger cookies, Beverly. Happy Holidays to you as well.
My boyfriend is a Vietnam vet, and to this day, he still doesn’t talk much about his time there. Thank you for this. It is a wonderful cause!
Teresa, it’s got to be some dark memories for him. Many thanks to him for his service. Happy holidays and have a great new year.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Evelise
You too, Evelise! And a great new year.
I wish you and yours all the best this holiday season. Thank you for supporting the Wounded Warrior Project!
Thank you as well, and have a wonderful holiday and new year.
Have a wonderful Chrimbo. Enjoy the season Manda xxx
Merry Christmas, Manda, and have a splendid new year.
Love your recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing. Best wishes for Christmas. (( ))
You’re welcome, Sherry. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful Christmas and new year.
Cookies sound delicious! Merry Christmas, and thanks for participating in this blog hop.
Thanks! Merry Christmas and have a splendid new year as well.
My father served in the Korean War too. It is the forgotten war.
Happy Holidays!
I’m glad to know about your father serving in the Korean War. Many thanks to his memory for his service, and to you– happy holidays and have a wonderful new year.
This is a great thing you all are doing. Happy Holiday’s. My father when in the army for the clean up of Pearl Harbor.
Thanks are due to your father for his service– heartfelt. That was such a hard time. Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful holiday.
Love your blog and the recipe which I’m going to try for my kids…
Let me know how that turns out, Jennifer. I love vintage recipes. Happy Holidays.
Thanks to your father, husband and brother for serving! It is truly appreciated!
This is a wonderful cause for a hop. 🙂 Thank you for participating. Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Happy holidays, Tina, and have a wonderful new year!
We appreciate your father serving this country. Have a wonderful Christmas.
Merry Christmas and happy new year, Holly!