Capturing Military Stories One Veteran at a Time
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 →
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 →
Happy Valentine’s Day! Today on the day that is celebrated for loving relationships, I will share examples of love that existed and thrived during World War II. All of these story excerpts are relayed in greater detail in my book, We Fought to Win: American World War II Veterans Share Their Stories. Buy it here... Continue Reading →
This post honors the World War II veterans I’ve interviewed who were deceased in 2019. Each death is a great loss for our nation. For those included in books I’ve published the titles are included. Thanks to all of these men and women who served our country in its time of great need. Photos follow... Continue Reading →
“At 0800 hours on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a cacophony of unfamiliar noises on Ford Island caused Seaman 2nd class Richard Girocco and other seamen from his PBY squadron (‘patrol bomber’) to run outside of their aviation hangar. Ordinarily, the seamen would be resting on their bunks. Today, they had been ordered to prepare... Continue Reading →
A recent post by Joan Stewart, a book marketing expert who titles herself ‘Publicity Hound’ because she also loves dogs and includes a vid about them in her newsletters, prompted this post about the topic of mental illness. Caption: Bombed-out homes confronted civilians everywhere in Europe during WWII. Photo by WWII vet Keith McComb. A... Continue Reading →
She sat near the back, one of perhaps three dozen people in the audience. I had been hired to give a talk about my World War II Tour of Europe at a retirement home near where I live. I enjoy giving these talks, especially to groups of people who may have lived during that time.... Continue Reading →
Caption: World War II Navy veteran Alvin Ping (left, above with WWII vet Bill Smith) at 2018 Book Launch for Book 3 of WWII Legacies: We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories) Today we’re celebrating a 100th birthday! No, it’s not for me—I’ve a ways to go yet. Mr. Alvin Ping recently reached... Continue Reading →
I collect stories as some people collect rare books or stamps. Stories fascinate me. As a newspaper reporter and magazine writer, I had the (paid) opportunity to listen to people tell stories. I’ve literally heard 1,000s of oral histories, often from people who didn't believe they were interesting enough to have a story. I believe... Continue Reading →
