Capturing Military Stories One Veteran at a Time
“When the New Mexico pulled into Tokyo Harbor, the crew was ordered to be at General Quarters,” said James Wiegman. “The war might have been over, but we didn't trust the Japanese.” At age 19 Wiegman could little have imagined just a few days later he would have the unique opportunity of witnessing one of... Continue Reading →
Have you struggled with being forced to stay at home, had your food supply limited, been forced to conduct your life much differently than the past? Then you'll know in a small way how POW's felt during WWII. August 20 was celebrated as POW/ MIA Day. Those military acronyms stand for “Prisoner of War” and “Missing... Continue Reading →
Seventy-five years ago, on August 14, 1945, World War II came to an end when Emperor Hirohito of Japan accepted conditions of unconditional surrender to Allied forces. The following day, August 15, was officially proclaimed V-J Day (Victory in Japan) in the United States. It became a day of celebration and thanksgiving around the world.... Continue Reading →
Upon being drafted into the U.S. Navy on August 5, 1943, Gareth Wiedekehr of Berne, Indiana, attended boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois. He received training for Morse code at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and graduated as a Radioman 3rd class, equivalent to a sergeant in the Army. At Naval Station... Continue Reading →
Happy 4th of July! This day means so much to the American public. It is the day we celebrate our country’s freedoms – and they are many! I learn to appreciate them more each year. These photos came to me courtesy of World War II veteran Mark Flanagan. It always reminds me of how all... Continue Reading →
As part of my effort to recognize Flag Day in the USA, I’m posting photos I’ve taken or which veterans/ friends have provided me of the American flag. I hope these will cause you to post a flag around where you live and if you are an American, that you will feel proud to... Continue Reading →
This is a story from my book, D-Day: Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Tell about Normandy. Thanks to every vet reading this for his/her service! ** “It’s not fun being fired on in the middle of combat,” said George Banky of Waterloo, Iowa. “But that’s what war is. You have to get yourself mentally fitted for... Continue Reading →
This is an excerpt of my story of Dr. Justin Arata's military service -- both as a physician during WWII and later collecting data after the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. ... For Dr. Justin Arata of Fort Wayne, the most significant part of serving in the Navy during World War II occurred... Continue Reading →
This story is part of the collection in my book, It Was Our War Too: Youth in the Shadows of WWII. It reminds us that war takes a toll on those left behind. Thanks to the vets and their families reading this. When 12-year-old Joan Wojciechowski arrived home from school in late October 1944, her... Continue Reading →
People from my church have been sharing Bible verses to help them through this challenging time with the Corona Virus. A friend said Psalm 91 was especially helpful to her. That prompted me to pull out this story I wrote several years ago about that psalm after a medic from Desert Storm told me how... Continue Reading →
