Capturing WWII Stories, One Veteran at a Time
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 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 →
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: 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 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 →
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. It Was Our War Too: Youth in the Shadows of WWII ISBN: 9781732 517233 While interviewing WWII vets over a period of several years,... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 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 →
Nick Loren served in the fireroom aboard the USS Boston In honor of the birthday of the U.S. Navy which was founded 246 years ago today (1775), I’m sharing a story from my book, We Defended Freedom: Adventures of World War II Veterans (2020). This book has a lot of Navy stories so if that’s... Continue Reading →
Don Wolfe served as a B-26 pilot during WWII. Another one of my veterans reached the amazing age of 100! Donald Wolfe served in the Army Air Corps in Europe. I interviewed him a few years ago and have kept in touch. He recently celebrated his birthday with a party. Unfortunately, I could not attend,... Continue Reading →
Curly Seibold was a POW in Stalag Luft III in Poland during WWII. This is a big day in our nation’s history! One is close to me as I wrote a book about men who are among those honored: National POW/MIA Recognition Day. In 2020 I released Captured! Stories of American WWII Prisoners of War.... Continue Reading →
Jim Wiegman witnessed the Japanese surrender aboard the USS New Mexico. On September 2, 1945, 19-year-old James Charles Wiegman was one of the few American sailors who had a bird’s eye view of the most important military events in world history. Wiegman of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was at sea aboard the battleship, USS New Mexico,... Continue Reading →
I'm crazy in love with the American flag! The 4th of July is Independence Day in the United States. This is the day we celebrate the movement of liberating ourselves from British authority. While I enjoy learning about England, I appreciate the move of our founding fathers to have us govern ourselves. Many of my... Continue Reading →
