Today is the 78th anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy beaches in France. You read that right – there was more than one beach. The Allies divided into five sections the 65-mile strip that they planned to land on with Canadian and British forces. Most Americans have only heard of Omaha Beach. It was... Continue Reading →
D-Day Hero: Naval Corpsman Leo Scheer
Leo Scheer served as a naval corpsman (medic) at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 Since interviewing 260 World War II veterans over the past 10 years, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with several who were part of that momentous military plan. Leo Scheer’s story has always fascinated me. I met Leo early in... Continue Reading →
Tribute to WWII Vets Who Died in 2020
Bill Sawyer, an Army medic in the Aleutians during WWII, and my husband, John -- Air Force vet -- bonded during #Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana in 2016. Each January I honor World War II veterans with stories in my books who lost their lives the previous year. This particular list is significant because these... 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 →
Choosing a Book’s Cover, Part 1
Readers ask about how I decide what goes on the covers of my books. As I feel the veterans who I write about should be showcased, I’ve chosen to place their photos on front back covers. At the top of the front cover of D-Day: Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Tell about Normandy, you see two... Continue Reading →
New Book About D-Day Is Available!
D-Day: Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Tell about Normandy is the first book in my new World War II Insider series. Its publication has been timed to coincide with the upcoming 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. ** D-Day: Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen Tell About Normandy is a compilation of stories from veterans... Continue Reading →
Build Character & Patriotism with WWII Veterans
One aspect of my book launch with World War II veterans is how it can build character and patriotism, especially in students. I never would have thought patriotism -- love for one's country and those who defend it -- would have come under attack as it has in recent years. These two little guys attended... Continue Reading →
Vets Describe D-Day
D-Day. June 6, 1944. Possibly only a handful of dates in our nation’s military history are more well- known other than Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941). D-Day was a top secret event that had been planned for months. Every branch was involved in storming the beaches of Normandy France to overcome Hitler's forces. Here are a few... Continue Reading →
We’re Headed to Europe for WWII Tour
Hopefully our trip to Europe will be easier than for these troops on the USS Wakefield! ** My husband and I have decided to complete a huge item on our combined Bucket List of Things to do Together-- Take a tour of Europe, based on World War II events. Yes, there are actual groups who go... Continue Reading →