New Book’s Title/ Cover Revealed!

I’m happy to announce my third book in the WWII Legacies series in nearly complete! We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories will be available for purchase by Fall 2018.

I love the cover that the design artist came up with. The faces of several of the veterans whose stories are featured inside are on the front and back covers.

Here is a list of the veterans whose stories are featured inside and their locations:

Dr. Justin Arata – Fort Wayne

Paul Bandelier – Fort Wayne

George Banky – Waterloo IA

Frank Bever – N Manchester

Evelyn Brown – Fort Wayne

Francis Bushong – Decatur IN

Dennis Butler – N Manchester

Lucille Clarke – Fort Wayne

Eugene Cogan – Avilla

Willis Colburn – Fort Wayne

Bart Corricelli – FL/ formerly N Manchester

William Current – Muncie IN

Ed Dager – New Haven IN

William Dunn – Ossian IN

Betty Dybbro – Lacey WA

Mark Flanagan – Fort Wayne

Orval Haaff – Fort Wayne

Marceil Harris – Bluffton IN

Bob Heiny – Fort Wayne

Lowell Hughes – Roswell NM

Harrison Hull – Fort Wayne

Hamilton Hunter – Fort Wayne

Gus Nagy – Fort Wayne

Fred Odiet – Kokomo

Hubert Pensinger – New Haven

Alvin Ping – Lebanon

Paul Rider – Fort Wayne

Wilbert Seibold – Huntington

William Smith – Columbia City

Leo Terrebonne – New Orleans

Vaughan Whitworth – Los Angeles

Duane Wise – Muncie

Rudy Wuttke – Fort Wayne

Paul Young – Bluffton

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With 34 stories and 100+ photos of military service from 1941-1945, it is a big book with educational and historic value, providing points of view from the GIs who served from the ground and air.They represent the major branches that served during the war – Army, Navy, Army Air Corps, Marines. The women represent Women’s Air Service Pilot (WASP), Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service program (WAVES/Navy), Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPAR). There’s even a story of a POW held in a German camp. This photo is of Dennis Butler who served in the Army.

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The public will have the unique opportunity to meet many of them on November 3, 2018, at the Allen County Public Library downtown during my book launch party.

The veterans are invited to attend as guests of honor and be greeted by the public. They will be available to sign copies of the book. Here’s a photo of a vet who fought in the Battle of the Bulge at my book launch in 2017:

As most people do not know any World War II veteran, this event offers that opportunity. Our nation depended on millions of them and others during a desperate time in our nation’s history. These are some of the last of that great generation whom we can still thank for saving our country from being taken over.

Bring your scout troops, grandchildren, Sunday School class, anyone whom you think will meet the veterans at this memorable day in our nation’s history.

Other than Honor Flights, you won’t often find this size of a group of World War II veterans assembled. Sadly, two of the veterans are deceased – Ed Dager and Paul Bandelier. Their families are welcome to attend and tell about their loved ones’ military service.

I’m planning on a great day on November 3. Your presence and support on November 3 will make it extra-special for the veterans.

More details are to come. Check in often at this blog for updates.

Thank a veteran today for his / her service!