Eileen Zeissig served as an Army nurse in Europe during WWII. Last week, Daniel Beals of WPTA21 in Ft Wayne, Indiana, posted an excellent piece on his show, ’21 Country’ about 100-year-old World War II Army nurse Eileen Zeissig. He interviewed her a few days prior, then put the story together with pictures of her... Continue Reading →
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‘Born To Be Soldiers’ Launches!
Women who served in various military branches are featured in the book-- L-R: Coast Guard SPAR, Women's Air Service Pilots (WASP), Army Nurse Corps (ANC). It’s been a busy week with three exciting events! All were to let people know about my new book, Born To Be Soldiers: Those Plucky Women of World War II.... Continue Reading →
Cover Reveal for New Book about Women of WWII!
'Born To Be Soldiers: Those Plucky Women of World War II contains stories of women who served in Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Army Air Corps. It will be available on Amazon on Feb 28. The ladies deserve their due! Here is the beautiful cover for my new book: Born To Be Soldiers: Those Plucky Women... Continue Reading →
Ten Minutes of Terror — Part 3
The USS ARIZONA burns after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, National Archives A 5-Part Series Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor On December 7, 1944, as dawn crested, the Japanese Imperial Navy fleet’s aircraft carriers continued their journey from the North Pacific south toward their prey. Approximately... Continue Reading →
WWII Vet Served with Patton’s Third Army
Denny Butler served as a mortar gunner in Europe. I met WWII vet Dennis Butler several years ago through a friend’s recommendation – and am I glad for the opportunity to interview him! Not only did Denny (his preferred nickname) have an amazing story of survival in Europe, but he had a photo album of... Continue Reading →
Eileen Zeissig Served as an Army Nurse During World War II
Eileen Stuckey Zeissig Served as an Army Nurse During World War II Among the 260 World War II veterans I’ve interviewed, 22 were females. It was always a thrill to discover how these young women volunteered to serve in various military branches. 'They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans' is available on... Continue Reading →
‘Iron Man of Metz’ Earns Bronze Star in WWII
Daniel Boone Frazier served as an 'Iron Man of Metz.' I met Daniel Boone Frazier through the recommendation of a friend. My husband and I enjoyed speaking with Mr. Frazier in his home and hearing his story about being part of the ‘Iron Men of Metz.’ The story below explains this was the nickname of... Continue Reading →
Battle of the Bulge Book Is Released!
Battle of the Bulge: Stories From Those Who Fought and Survived is available on Amazon. It’s here! The book that has taken me the longest to write -- three years – arrived in a mighty shipment on Friday! Battle of the Bulge: Stories From Those Who Fought and Survived released on Amazon on July 1.... Continue Reading →
WWII Author Profile: Dandi Daley Mackall
Dandi Daley Mackall's novel, With Love Wherever You Are, is based on her parents' love story. I first met Dandi Daley Mackall around 2003 at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in California. She taught a class on children’s writing. The thought of writing for children had never entered my mind, even though I had... Continue Reading →
Father’s Day — Tribute to WWII Vet Fathers
Happy Father’s Day! Is it any wonder I love horses with this photo of me and Dad? It’s great to live in a country that honors its fathers. Here is one of my favorite photos of me with my dad as a little girl. I have always loved horses and I’m sure it was Dad’s... Continue Reading →
Flag Day—WWII POW’s Reflections of the Stars & Stripes
American flag on display at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. I’m proud to be an American and I’m proud of our American flag. It is fitting that we should celebrate it on its own special day. An American flag has flown on the front of our home since we've lived here for 31 years. You... Continue Reading →
D-Day Hero: Naval Corpsman Leo Scheer
Leo Scheer served as a naval corpsman (medic) at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 Since interviewing 260 World War II veterans over the past 10 years, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with several who were part of that momentous military plan. Leo Scheer’s story has always fascinated me. I met Leo early in... Continue Reading →
Guest Host: Joy Neal Kidney, Author of Leora’s Letters
I’m delighted to feature a guest host today. Joy Neal Kidney is the author of Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II. She is the oldest granddaughter of the book’s heroine, Leora Wilson. It is about a family who had five sons in the military during... Continue Reading →
Medal of Honor Day — March 25
This month is full of great reasons to honor people. First, it is Women’s History Month. Each week I’m posting about four interesting World War II females who volunteered to serve our country. Each branch of the American military recognizes Medal of Honor recipients. Coast Guard and Marines observe the Navy cross. Today is NATIONAL... Continue Reading →
Women’s History Month — Elizabeth ‘Betty’ White Dybbro- Women’s Air Service Pilots (WASP)
Betty White Dybbro volunteered to serve in the WASP program during WWII. She was one of just over 1,000 women to fly American military aircraft -- a first in the history of the world. In keeping with my weekly posts this March about military women during World War II, I’m including an excerpted story of... Continue Reading →
Women’s History Month: Pauline ‘Polly’ Babbitt Smith — WAVES/ WWII Navy
Polly Smith volunteered for the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during WWII to help her country. This story is taken from my new book, We Defended Freedom: Adventures of WWII Veterans. Thanks to all of our vets for your service to our country. Pauline ‘Polly’ Babbitt was a student at Nevada High School... Continue Reading →
Women’s History Month — Charlotte Koch Eisenhart, WWII WAC
In honor of Women’s History Month I’ll post an excerpted story about female World War II vets I’ve interviewed and written about each Sunday. Remember, they all volunteered to join that ‘man’s war’ from 1941-1945. Thanks to all of our veterans! Charlotte Koch's parents thought the Army would teach her to take orders. After Japanese... Continue Reading →
Sailor Survives Sinking of the USS Houston – and Becomes POW
Bill Ingram was 17 years old when he survived the sinking of the USS Houston in the Java Sea on Feb. 28, 1942 -- only to be captured by Japanese forces. The following is an excerpt from my new book, Captured: Stories of American World War II Prisoners of War: On February 28, 1942, William... Continue Reading →
Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams – Medal of Honor Recipient at Iwo Jima
Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams used a flamethrower on Iwo Jima to enable Allied troops to drive inland. His efforts caused him to receive the Medal of Honor. Today is the 76th anniversary of the Allied invasion of the island of Iwo Jima in the South Pacific. Several veterans I’ve interviewed served there. One of them, Hershel... Continue Reading →
Running from the Enemy
As a refugee, Johannes Klaffke was forced to leave many things behind, including the few childhood photos his family possessed. It's dreadful to experience war, but how much worse for children. Johannes Klaffke's entire story is told in It Was Our War Too: Youth in the Shadows of WWII While interviewing WWII vets over a... Continue Reading →
Bart Corricelli– WWII Marine at Iwo Jima
Bart Corricelli served as a Marine at Iwo Jima during WWII This week's WWII Vet profile is Bart Corricelli. I met Bart a few years ago when he was recommended to me by his friend, Charlie Conrad. Charlie was a WWII vet who served in the Navy. Each time I visited Charlie, he'd say, "You... Continue Reading →
WWII Veteran Moment: Calvin Schultz, Army, Buchenwald Liberator
To provide role models of brave Americans each week I will introduce a World War II Veteran from my books who served this country. The book where his/her story is profiled will be listed. In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27, 2021) —a global day of commemoration to honor victims of the Holocaust— I... Continue Reading →
Thanks to Our Military Veterans!
Thanks to all of our military veterans! We appreciate your service! Thanks to all military veterans who have served our country. Today is your day! Please know we appreciate you all year. I’m giving away my 4 Ebooks about World War II at Amazon yesterday and today. You don't have to be a veteran to... Continue Reading →
WWII Veteran Lorraine Hook Davis Served in the Coast Guard
Lorraine Hook Davis served in the Coast Guard during WWII. On the final day of our Military Appreciation Week veteran stories, we celebrate one of the 350,000 women who enlisted in the newly-created American military branches for women – Lorraine Hook Davis. Lorraine Hook Davis' photo is on the left of the cover of my... Continue Reading →
Charles Dunwoody — WWII Army Chaplain
On Day 4 of Military Appreciation Week I’m featuring an excerpt of a story of Charles Dunwoody who served in the Army in World War II. Dunwoody’s entire story is told in my book, Battle of the Bulge: Stories From Those Who Fought and Survived. Here is the Kindle version. This blog is dedicated to... Continue Reading →
Army Air Corps Crew Chief Ed Dager Served in Pacific
This is Day 3 of Military Appreciation Week. Today I’m featuring an excerpt of a story of Ed Dager who served in the Army Air Corps. If you’ve just dropped in, be sure to go back and read the earlier stories of other veterans. This blog is dedicated to telling about our amazing veterans to... Continue Reading →
WWII Vet Francis Bushong Served Aboard USS Nashville
We're into Day 2 of Military Appreciation Week. Each day this week I’m featuring an excerpt of a story I've written from my 10 WWII vet books. Today is Francis Bushong who served in the Navy. After you've read his story, check out other posts on this blog -- it's full of stories of other... Continue Reading →
Military Appreciation Week: Louis Bowman, WWII Navy
In honor of Military Appreciation Week, I'm posting daily stories of vets. Today is an excerpt of WWII Navy vet Louis Bowman. His full story is told in my book, We Defended Freedom: Adventures of WWII Veterans. There is a special opportunity at the end of this post -- be sure to read to the... Continue Reading →
Mom’ Prize
This story was told to me by my mother one day when we were sitting in my kitchen. I just about fell off my chair laughing. I hope it brings a note of cheer to you on this day. ** The Prize By Joan Archbold Brewer As told to Kayleen J. Brewer Reusser When I... Continue Reading →
WWII Vet George Edward Buhler —Army Military Police / Europe
While serving in the Army as a military policeman in Europe, WWII vet George Buhler fought in major battles, including D-Day. In this week’s blog post, I’m going all of the way back to my first book – We Fought to Win: American WWII Veterans Share Their Stories (Book 1, World War II Legacies). George... Continue Reading →
WWII Vet Evelyn Beckman Brown Served in Coast Guard
Evelyn Beckman received training as a SPAR in New York City. Evelyn Beckman Brown and I only met a handful of times but we became fast friends. She immediately began mailing me notes of encouragement which I kept on file (every author needs encouragement!). The latest note arrived days before her death on December 19,... Continue Reading →
WWII Vet Ray Boyer Fought at the Bulge
Ray Boyer's story of serving in the US Army at the Battle of the Bulge in WWII is related in Kayleen Reusser's book, 'Battle of the Bulge: Stories From Those Who Fought and Survived.' Occasionally, I hear about a veteran with a great story who I’m unable to interview, due to his earlier death. Such... Continue Reading →
WWII Marine Kenny Bosworth Served in the Pacific
I met Kenny Bosworth at an Optimist Club in Portland, Indiana. I had been asked to speak about my project of interviewing 260 World War II veterans. A notice had been put into the local newspaper and someone told Mr. Bosworth about it. He was accompanied by his daughter who helped me arrange a time... Continue Reading →