“For more than a year it was a steady routine of dropping bombs and encountering enemy fighters and heavy accurate flak,” he said. His longest mission to Nagoya lasted 18 hours. During the war, Bates flew 33 missions over Japan in B29s.
Tributes to WWII Vets Mankey, Beitler
Two World War II vets from my book have passed away recently. Carl Mankey, one of the few World War II Marines I’ve interviewed and one of the 28 WWII vets whose stories are featured in my book, died on April 6, 2016. Here is a portion of his story: In June 22, 1944, Marine... Continue Reading →
Jeannette & Bruce Kenline Serving God and Country
This story is the result of interviews with a couple I met while working at a retirement home. They were the first couple I had met who had both served in the military. I admire them both. I didn't have photos of them in uniform but the helmet is pretty awesome! ******* Jeannette and Bruce Kenline... Continue Reading →
The Soldier who was Asked Not to Serve
Today I’m honoring a World War II Army medic who was born 94 years ago this week. A friend recommended I talk with him a few years ago and am I glad to have done so! What a story! I wrote this for a military publication I write for. It is commitment to his country... Continue Reading →
Funeral of a Soldier
After 3 weeks of searching for family to claim Mr. Beavers’ body for burial, no one came forward. The Allen County coroner finally gave up. Thankfully, a local funeral home offered to conduct a funeral for Mr. Beavers and invited the public to attend to show their respect for him and his service. Estimates of possibly (I'd say probably) more than 1,000 people – many from out of state—were there.
Veteran’s Day-Opp to Honor Our Heroes
It’s been a busy couple of weeks for us and many other military families around the nation. Veteran’s Day is perhaps the biggest day of the year for all vets. It gives the public the opportunity to honor them in so many ways. John & I participated in Fort Wayne’s Veteran’s Day Parade. He rode... Continue Reading →
Veteran’s Day–Opportunity to Recognize Military Service People
This week we have the official opportunity to recognize military service people! Veteran’s Day will be celebrated on Wed, November 11. Remember to thank a veteran! On a personal note, my husband will celebrate his birthday on November 10. He is retired with 21 years of service in the Air Force, Grissom Air Reserve Base ... Continue Reading →
Opportunity to Meet/Honor WWII Vets!
A big FREE event is coming up one week from today for all of you military supporters/ history lovers around Fort Wayne! On November 1, starting at 2pm at the Fort Wayne History Center, I will talk about my project of interviewing World War II vets as part of the George Mather lecture series. ... Continue Reading →
Tips to Interviewing 100+ WWII Veterans
Sometimes people want to know what happens when I interview a World War II veteran. It's a process and always a privilege. First, I allot two hours for the interview. This does not include the time it takes to drive to/from the place where the veteran lives. The two hours does include my getting set up with... Continue Reading →
WWII vet Bob Foster Served Family, Friends, Country
I was saddened to hear of the death of a World War II vet featured in my book, World War II Legacies: Stories of Northeast Indiana Veterans. Robert ‘Bob’ E. Foster, 92, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2015. I met Bob through a friend a couple of years ago. He was... Continue Reading →