Lemon Tree Dwelling

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Red, White, & Basil Dip {And a Tribute to my Grandpa}
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Tomatoes, feta cheese, basil, and Greek dressing – a quick, easy, and delicious summer dip, straight from the garden…and just in time for your Memorial Day celebrations!

Red, White & Basil Dip - a quick, easy, delicious summer dip recipe!

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Do you remember back in February when I shared my grandma’s Banana Cake recipe? And I told you about my grandpa’s love of sharing all his stories and memorabilia, including my grandma’s old journals? Well, what I didn’t tell you is that, aside from stories about my grandma, 90% of the stories my grandpa tells are about his time in the Army. My grandpa is a WWII veteran, and although he served some 70 years ago, when he tells his stories you’d think it was just yesterday.

Red, White & Basil Dip - a quick, easy, delicious summer dip recipe!

My grandpa was drafted into the Army on April 28th, 1949 at the age of 21. His draft number was #817. He can still recite the speech given that day by the Army Sergeant: “Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, you’ve been in the Army since 6:00 this morning and your pay is $21 a month.” When I asked him whether or not he liked it, he simply told me he had been raised to accept whatever situation he found himself in. In other words, it didn’t really matter what he thought!

Red, White & Basil Dip - a quick, easy, delicious summer dip recipe!

He was sent from Milwaukee to Camp Livingston, Louisiana, where he was assigned to the 32nd Infantry Division. Because of his typing skills, his specific assignment was as clerk to the Provost Marshal, where he worked for a total of 17 months. He can still remember the exact date he was told, out of the blue, “Congratulations, Clarence. You’ve been promoted to Sergeant.” And the date, 3 days later, he was told, “Congratulations, Clarence. You’ve been promoted to Master Sergeant.” It was exactly 10 months after he had been drafted. He says that they never told him why he was promoted so quickly (he skipped a number of rankings) and he never asked….but what he does know is that he quickly became “the most hated man in the Army” for all his promotions.

Red, White & Basil Dip - a quick, easy, delicious summer dip recipe!

He left the United States for England on the Queen Mary at 5:00 am. on May 11, 1942. It was the first time that more than 10,000 people had been on the boat at the same time. Once in England, he was transferred to the Claims Department and eventually promoted to Warrant Officer, and from there was transferred a dozen more times before finishing out his service in Paris. When I asked my grandpa to reflect on his time in the military, he said that so much of his experience was about being in the right place at the right time. It was about luck. At the age of 94, I think my grandpa feels very lucky, indeed. And you know what? We feel it right back. Lucky to have him in our lives. Lucky to be able to listen to his stories. Lucky to have the wonderful family that all started with my grandma and him. Lucky to be able to celebrate this Memorial Day with him.

Red, White & Basil Dip - a quick, easy, delicious summer dip recipe!

This simple dip is one of our family’s summertime favorites. Made with tomatoes, feta cheese, basil, and Greek dressing, it is light, refreshing, flavorful….and the perfect addition to a Memorial Day or 4th of July celebration.

 

Red, White, & Basil Dip {And a Tribute to my Grandpa}

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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Author: Cathy Trochelman

Ingredients

  • Red White & Basil Dip
  • 2 medium tomatoes chopped
  • 4 oz. feta cheese crumbled
  • 1/4 c. fresh basil chopped
  • 1/4 c. Greek salad dressing *I used the same recipe I used in my Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Serve with blue corn tortilla chips.

 

Red, White & Basil Dip - a quick, easy, delicious summer dip recipe!

 

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Comments

  4. Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea says

    Your Grandpa sounds like a wonderful man! I love that you are celebrating him – we need to do that for our relatives, it’s so important. I had a very special grandpa too and I miss him very much.

    This dip looks so yummy – perfect for Memorial Day, thanks for sharing as always!

    Reply

  7. Julie says

    Fantastic recipe! I love that you used basil in this. Perfect! Pinned.

    Stopping by from Mop It Up Mondays. Have a great afternoon! 🙂

    Reply

  14. marty (A Stroll Thru Life) says

    This sounds sooooooo good. Thanks for the recipe. I would love for you to link up to my Inspire Me party at – -http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/05/166th-inspire-me-tuesday.html. Hope to see you there. Hugs, Marty

    Reply

  20. Shannon Hawk says

    I loved reading about your grandfather! I love listening to my grandmother tell stories of a different time. I also feel blessed to still have her here to share our lives. It’s how they lived and it’s how we got were we are today and unfortunately, I don’t think many people these days are interested in such things. I think it’s just wonderful:) This dip looks absolutely amazing! I can’t wait to make this- Yum!
    Shannon@CozyCountryLiving

    Reply

  24. Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate says

    Oh my goodness, Cathy! I am in tears reading this!! What an incredible man your Grandpa is! Thankful for his service to our country, and that you are still enjoying hearing those priceless stories!! Pinned your yummy dip recipe … thanks for sharing it and your beautiful tribute to your Grandpa!!

    Reply

  27. Cynthia Landrie says

    What a wonderful story. I think your Grandfather is a very special man. My father served in the Army and was in England also, but much later!
    Thank you for linking to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party! I look forward to seeing what you bring next week!

    Cynthia at http://FeedingBIg.com

    Reply

  32. f1c64f58-2996-11e3-92a7-000bcdcb471e says

    My Grandfather lived to be 104 years, 2 months and 2 days of age. During that time, he got to see the majority of his Great Grandchildren grow up. I was always thankful in hindsight looking back at sitting down and talking with him just one on one, listening to his stories as a kid! The best and funniest story I heard from him was when his Dad – my Great Grandfather took him hunting. He said, “Son, when I tell you drop to the ground, you drop, unless you want to get shot!” It was such a valuable story and lesson – that sometimes folks don’t have time to tell you full instructions, that’s it’s always best to listen and not talk so much! You will be surprised what you learn. Hearing the story about the Trials about the Union Presidents was an eye opener. My Grandfather was the oldest member of any Union to date and the most respected. It showed the day before his funeral, all the admiration and deep gratitude that the Union Members had for him. You will be surprised how people make a mark in their lifetime with others. Thanks for the awesome story.

    Reply

  33. Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate says

    G’morning, Cathy! Your Grandpa came to mind this Veterans Day morning, so I couldn’t resist stopping back by this post to let you know it. 😉 Thanks again for sharing his story. Please pass along my continued gratitude for his service to our great Nation! Much love to you and your family! XO!

    Reply

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