VJ Day- 75th Anniversary of End of WWII

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 →

World War II Seaman Faced Death Three Times in the Pacific

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 →

Thanks to Vets for the 4th of July!

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 →

She’s a Grand Old Flag

  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 →

Sailor Served as Sitting Duck at D-Day

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 →

Naval Doctor Served at Bikini Atoll

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 →

Daughter Recalls Father Killed in WWII

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 →

Prescription for Stress: Psalm 91

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 →

Vietnam Vet Served as Artist in 221st Signal Corps

Welcome home Vietnam Veterans! On Sunday March 29, 2020, our nation observed Vietnam Veteran’s Day. I’ve interviewed several Vietnam veterans. This story of LeRoy Jesfield whom I met during a speaking event near his home is special to me. He was at the outdoor event carrying a big camera as he enjoyed taking photos, along... Continue Reading →

WWII Female Flyer Changes History

It’s a privilege to post about one of the women from my first book, We Fought to Win: American World War II Veterans Share Their Stories. Margaret Ray Ringenberg served as a WASP (Women’s Air Service Pilots) during World War II. She seemed to be born to be in the air as you will read... Continue Reading →

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