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Little Green Army Men

March 11, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner 22 Comments

Photo credit: atomicShed / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

I read an article yesterday about a second grader who was in trouble at school because his birthday cupcakes were decorated with little green army men. Shame on him for wanting an army-man-themed birthday party instead of Angry Birds or Spongebob. Shame on his evil parents for supporting and celebrating guns and violence. 

Can you taste my sarcasm?
Since we moved into our home almost twelve years ago, little green army men have graced the windowsill of our kids’ bathroom. Although Tate and Kelsey have moved away to college and beyond, and the bathroom isn’t often visited, the army men still watch over our home. Guarding my memories, they make me smile, reminding me of an earlier time—a time not that long ago when we didn’t take our cupcakes so seriously.

A time not that long ago when the bathroom wasn’t so clean.

These army men, circa 1960-something, originally belonged to my husband. Still do I suppose… 

So far, they’ve caused us no harm.

talya

Musical Pairing:

Ball of Confusion, The Temptations

“YOU! ARE! A! TOYYYYY!!!!” 
                                    -Woody, Toy Story

see the army men in the window?

Filed Under: Life

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Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    March 11, 2013 at 6:40 am

    I always felt that the little green Army men were protecting the house. Aren’t there some on the windowsill on the third floor too? Makes one feel safe. Mom

    Reply
  2. Robin says

    March 11, 2013 at 7:32 am

    Makes me wonder about these people who thought this was so wrong?? Did they not ever play with toy guns, army men, or use their sisters Barbies for target practice?? The tradition continues in our family. One of my grandsons prefers a dart gun, the other a cap gun. Both absolutely love the ray gun. Their army men, along with Spiderman and sometimes Batman, protect the world. So far they have alleviated evil and scared away zombies. I for one appreciate their efforts! I feel safe and loved in my house because of this! (ok, I’ll be totally honest….. I’ve fought along their side at times and helped kill a few of the worlds most dastardly criminals!) Boy! people sure miss out on fun these days!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 11, 2013 at 9:19 am

      Crazy world we live in…

      Reply
    • Colene says

      March 11, 2013 at 10:02 am

      Ditto!

      Reply
  3. Robin says

    March 11, 2013 at 7:36 am

    PS, forgive the errors in this post (and the previous one, as well)…. i’m in a hurry … the army men need help arresting sponge bob for his adhd ways!

    Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    March 11, 2013 at 8:09 am

    Army men here we go again…children are just proud of their parents who are serving in the army! What was once old is new again. Hello? Teachers, (maybe these are the ones who need to go:let’s get Chris Christy,R-Gov State of New Jersey, opinion on these faculty he would probably boot them for their lack of performance)We are in wartime. If you were to research this during previous war-times WWI,WWII, children played with toys reflected of the times. Yes, we are in the 21st century but not all children thrive behind a t.v. set with a gadget in their had glued to a screen. Quite frankly, if you look at the violence in our country crimes committed by children and young adults after profiling their bedrooms the FBI and local police found that violent video games and videos of other nature were in their possession and had been viewed and played for hours turned into days. It was not due to a plastic soldier that happen to be green. I am a female. I am belief in our amendments. I belief that people are the issue not the artillery that we use.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 11, 2013 at 9:18 am

      Amen. Thanks for commenting!

      Reply
    • Colene says

      March 11, 2013 at 10:01 am

      Well said!

      Reply
  5. Robin says

    March 11, 2013 at 8:46 am

    Totally agree Anonymous…. No fork ever made me fat!!!

    Reply
  6. Colene says

    March 11, 2013 at 10:07 am

    Then you have the little girls that used their bubble making guns to shoot each other and then were ordered to have psychiatric counseling. Another little boy bit his poptart into the form of a gun and he was expelled from school. Heaven help us!

    Reply
  7. Kendra says

    March 11, 2013 at 10:12 am

    Hi, Talya! I read the same article the other day and was angry. We are a military family. It was my father’s, sister’s, brother’s, husband’s, and even my honor to serve in the military for this great country. It’s sad that people have got to the point where it is ok to shame the military by not wanting to give children Army Soldier cupcakes. Would it be ok if there were police officers on top?

    Being a Soldier does not promote gun violence. Being a Soldier promotes courage, discipline, leadership, dependability, and structure. If those aren’t traits they want children to learn, then what are they trying to teach children these days?

    I’m so sorry about this mini-rant. but I’m glad someone else thinks the whole situation was ridiculous.

    P.S. Thank you for stopping by my blog!

    Reply
    • Colene says

      March 11, 2013 at 11:16 am

      Thanks to you and your family Kendra and to all of the military for protecting our country! Do not be sorry for your rant, mini or otherwise.

      Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 11, 2013 at 11:57 am

      Thanks Kendra! And thanks to your family for serving!

      Reply
  8. Kathy says

    March 11, 2013 at 10:18 am

    That is just nuts!! They are toys for crying out loud! What harm did they do on a cupcake if the kid likes playing with army men. A lot of boys grow up and join the service and defend their country.

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

    Reply
  9. Robin says

    March 11, 2013 at 9:25 pm

    Folks, I am going to be as honest as a Louisiana girl can be! The problem with our country, as mentioned earlier, are the peoples lack common sense. How is it that it is wrong for a kid can eat a pop tart into the shape of a gun (now mind you, he thought it was a mountain)…but yet it is ok for a parent to parade her child on national tv dressed like a hooker. Did I forget to mention it’s ok to give little Miss Honey Boo Boo enough caffeine to bring Secretariat back from the dead three times?? Why is it ok to sensationalize stupidity???

    Honestly, instead of outlawing my 16 oz cokes, or limiting my fries on my happy meals, we need to outlaw stupidity. I know you can’t fix stupid (I’m from Louisiana.. I know this for a fact) but you can limit it in positions of authority.. Hiring practices 101 needs to start in Kindergarten apparently… Seriously, when are we going to stand up and say we refuse to put up with “dumb” any more!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 12, 2013 at 5:06 am

      I only recently figured out what/who Honey Boo Boo is. Don’t.Get.It.At.All…

      Reply
  10. Michelle Liew says

    March 11, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    Silly nilly, I will say, Tayla, and thank you for bringing this to light. So dumb! And yet, as Robin points out, parents subject their kids to more ridiculous things! Thanks for sharing! Sharing this across too.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 12, 2013 at 5:07 am

      Thanks for commenting and sharing:) T.

      Reply
  11. Patricia A. Laster says

    March 12, 2013 at 4:58 am

    We are in a backlash of gun violence. Our hackles are up. This, too, shall pass.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      March 12, 2013 at 5:07 am

      The calm voice of reason:)) xo

      Reply
  12. Julie Grimmett says

    March 18, 2013 at 7:08 pm

    Love that you still have them in the bathroom! Thanks for linking up with me!

    Reply
  13. TimH says

    March 25, 2013 at 2:48 pm

    I just saw this, and I totally agree with you and your posters wise words, and there’s nothing I can add. Little green toy soldiers along the bathroom window sill brings back memories…my boys used to do the same thing when they were little…soldiers stationed on our bathroom window sill…protecting our home while doing their call of duty.=)

    Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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