Capturing WWII Stories, One Veteran at a Time
Today, we honor those Americans who have suffered at the hands of their enemies as prisoners of war or death. I've written stories about both groups. They are always a challenge as to be a part of these unique groups would be terrible. But it's necessary for every American to know what they experienced in... Continue Reading →
Charlie Conrad served aboard the USS Farquhar during WWII. I met World War II Navy veteran Charlie Conrad several years ago at a patriotic picnic gathering near my home. He had a ball cap with a Navy design on it and so I approached him (as I have done with many veterans) to ask if... Continue Reading →
Evelyn Beckman received training as a SPAR in New York City. Evelyn Beckman Brown and I only met a handful of times but we became fast friends. She immediately began mailing me notes of encouragement which I kept on file (every author needs encouragement!). The latest note arrived days before her death on December 19,... Continue Reading →
I met Kenny Bosworth at an Optimist Club in Portland, Indiana. I had been asked to speak about my project of interviewing 260 World War II veterans. A notice had been put into the local newspaper and someone told Mr. Bosworth about it. He was accompanied by his daughter who helped me arrange a time... 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 →
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 →
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 →
Eileen McShane and her brother, William suffered hardships like most British people, during WWII. Today, in one of the Facebook groups I belong to that discusses the 1940s, people were asking what others were doing to show appreciation for VE Day. May 8, 1945 -- The date when the war in Europe was officially over... Continue Reading →
“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 →
Writing of Kayleen Reusser 