While I focus mostly on interviewing and writing stories from World War II veterans as they are our nation's oldest military vets, I also interview Korean War veterans. The following story is one that appeared in the News-Sentinel newspaper in Fort Wayne earlier this year. ** On a morning in April 1951 when day was... Continue Reading →
WWII Sailor Killed by Kamikaze
I wrote this story about a soldier who grew up in my community. Nearly every day, newspapers carried sad notifications about soldiers and sailors who had perished during the war. Part of the research was with this soldier’s brother who is still living in his 90s. ** Gerald Eugene Lesh On December 26, 1943, Electrician’s... Continue Reading →
WWII Vets Recall VE Day- May 8, 1945
This week we honored May 8 – Victory in Europe or VE Day – celebrated all over the world in 1945. Can you imagine what this news meant to people who had been at war for many years? This is a photo of the actual room in Reims France where the Germany General Jodl signed... Continue Reading →
What to do with WWII vet afraid to fly? Take him on an Honor Flight!
When Cal Schultz, the World War II veteran whom I had interviewed for a story in the News-Sentinel and whom I was trying to convince to go on an Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana, admitted he was afraid to fly, I was stymied-- almost. He and his wife had taken many aerial trips. He had... Continue Reading →
WWII Infantryman Fought in Battle of the Bulge, Liberated Dachau
I recently visited with Millard Schwartz whom I interviewed several years ago and whose story is featured in my first book, WWII Legacies: Stories of Northeast IN Veterans. Millard is a sweet man who always has a gentle smile on his handsome face. He is a humble but brave man who fought gallantly for our... Continue Reading →
Tribute to Vietnam War Vet- Ralph Garcia
I usually post about World War II veterans but as today is National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, I’m posting stories about a good friend, Ralph Garcia, who served in-country and continued to help veterans and his country for years afterward. Photo above is him in recent years standing in front of the Vietnam War Traveling Wall.... Continue Reading →
Saying Good-bye to 2 Special Vets
It’s part of the nature of my project of interviewing some of our nation’s eldest military veterans so I should expect it. With many of them well into their 90s, I have to face the fact that they will all someday be deceased. Still, it is hard to receive that kind of news. Recently, I... Continue Reading →
WWII Photos on Book Covers
Being snowbound, I have the perfect opportunity to work on my next book of World War II stories. I'm lucky to already have a great book cover designer. The cover of my latest book, They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans, receives many compliments. Few people know my designer used photos from... Continue Reading →
Pearl Harbor Navy Survivor Tells His Story
In honor of the 76th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, I’m posting an excerpt from a story in my new book, They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans. My husband and I also plan to attend a local Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony. I did this... Continue Reading →
Hundreds Attend Book Launch to tell WWII Vets Thanks
Many of you participated in our book launch party for They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans on Saturday, Nov 4, 2017, at the Allen County Public Library. I think it’s safe to say, as the photo below shows, it was a smashing success! Several hundred people are estimated to have attended to meet/... Continue Reading →