Capturing Military Stories One Veteran at a Time
She sat near the back, one of perhaps three dozen people in the audience. I had been hired to give a talk about my World War II Tour of Europe at a retirement home near where I live. I enjoy giving these talks, especially to groups of people who may have lived during that time.... Continue Reading →
Caption: World War II Navy veteran Alvin Ping (left, above with WWII vet Bill Smith) at 2018 Book Launch for Book 3 of WWII Legacies: We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories) Today we’re celebrating a 100th birthday! No, it’s not for me—I’ve a ways to go yet. Mr. Alvin Ping recently reached... Continue Reading →
Readers ask about how I decide what goes on the covers of my books. As I feel the veterans who I write about should be showcased, I’ve chosen to place their photos on front back covers. At the top of the front cover of D-Day: Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Tell about Normandy, you see two... Continue Reading →
D-Day: Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Tell about Normandy is the first book in my new World War II Insider series. Its publication has been timed to coincide with the upcoming 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. ** D-Day: Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen Tell About Normandy is a compilation of stories from veterans... Continue Reading →
The news about the devastating fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was and still is staggering. We toured this lovely facility in 2017 during our World War II tour of Europe. It was a Sunday and Mass was being held. Our Parisian guide told us we were allowed to take photos inside the cathedral... Continue Reading →
I collect stories as some people collect rare books or stamps. Stories fascinate me. As a newspaper reporter and magazine writer, I had the (paid) opportunity to listen to people tell stories. I’ve literally heard 1,000s of oral histories, often from people who didn't believe they were interesting enough to have a story. I believe... Continue Reading →
Polly Woodhull Lipscomb-- Army nurse who served in England during WWII ** As a tribute to Women's History Month, I'm devoting this column to two special women I've had the privilege to interview/ write their stories. It's always a thrill to interview a WWII vet, but I especially enjoy talking to the women who served. Every... Continue Reading →
2nd Lt. Jack Humbrecht 1944 The myriad of ways people find to show support to our military are impressive. Recently I had the honor and privilege to meet a World War II veteran who participated in a ‘virtual’ Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana. During the war, Jack Humbrecht was flying a B-17 over occupied Poland... Continue Reading →
Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong decade. While I won't mention what decade I was born in, I will say that the 1940s seem more appealing the more I interview veterans who served during that time. I’ve read books about the Homefront in England and America. I’ve interviewed people who were Rosie... Continue Reading →
