Need A Speaker?

Each year I speak to hundreds of people of all ages about WWII-related topics, based on my interviews with 260 vets.

The stories are taken from books I’ve written about their military experiences.

If your group would like to hear these same stories about men and women who fought for freedom around the world, contact me at kjreusser at adamswells dot com OR at the contact form below.

I offer a number of 50-minute talks (zoom and in-person) about World War II at reasonable rates:

• 1. World War II Tour of Europe.  American young men (many teens) found the courage and fortitude to fight the enemy at Omaha Beach, Paris, Dachau, Nuremberg, Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest and more. I combine photos of these locales based on my WWII Tour of Europe with quotes from veterans who served there.
• Stories are taken from Volumes 1-4 in my WWII Legacies series: We Fought to Win: American WWII Veterans Share Their Stories (Bk 1)
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• They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans (Bk 2)
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• We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories (Bk 3)
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• We Defended Freedom: Adventures of WWII Veterans (Bk 4)
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• 2. Those Plucky Women of World War II – Females were needed to enlist in various military branches. Not everyone believed they deserved to wear uniforms. Learn about females who were determined to serve their country and volunteered as pilots, cryptographers, nurses and more in the Army Air Corps, Navy, Army, and Coast Guard.
• This talk complements my new Born To Be Soldiers: Those Plucky Women of World War II and Women of WWII Coloring Book.
  

  

Margaret ‘Maggie’ Ray Ringenberg served as a WASP (Women’s Air Service Pilots) in WWII.

• 3. Captured! American WWII Prisoners of War – Men who spent time as prisoners of German and Japanese forces are profiled. They include airmen shot down from burning planes, sailors rescued from sinking ships, and a 16-year-old Army soldier who escaped from the Bataan Death March only to be re-captured and forced into slave labor in the Philippines and Japanese coal mines.
• This talk complements my book, Captured! Stories of American WWII Prisoners of War.

Bill Ingram survived the sinking of the USS Houston — only to be captured by the Japanese.

• 4. The Longest Day—June 6, 1944: The world’s largest amphibious invasion took place on June 6, 1944. More than 150,000 Allies put boots on the ground of Normandy, France, in an effort to end the war in Europe. Photos of the various beaches and sites at Normandy are included, as well as quotes from men who served at this historic event.
• This talk complements my book, D-Day: Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen Tell about Normandy.  

 Gene Cogan served as a scout in the US Army on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.

5. WWII Adventures on the High Seas

On March 19, 1945, Ed Goetz’s B-29 flight crew of 12 was flying a 1,500-mile bombing mission from Saipan toward Japan. Suddenly, the plane’s propeller lost control just before flames shot out from the engine.

The pilot quickly instructed Goetz and the rest of the crew to don their parachutes and exit the plane. The last crew member jumped just before the plane exploded.

The dozen airmen dropped into darkness over the ocean, not knowing if they would ever see each other again.

Whether it was traveling on a troop ship across the Atlantic Ocean evading German subs or parachuting out of a burning plane in the South Pacific, Allied soldiers were often in peril for their lives. Stories will be taken from stories among Reusser’s WWII Legacies series of books based on interviews with 260 veterans.

6. Battle of the Bulge

On December 16, 1944, artillery shells from 250,000 German troops scream down on unsuspecting American troops in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium. It is the beginning of one of World War II’s biggest battles. Who will survive?

This talk complements my book, ‘Battle of the Bulge: Stories From Those Who Fought and Survived.’

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The magic of zoom makes so many things possible! I’m happy to work with groups around the world.

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Recommendations from those who have heard me speak:

“In honor of Veterans Day (November 11), our library system invited author Kayleen Reusser to present virtually. She shared stories about her visits to Germany, France, Belgium and Luxembourg and showed photos of sites, including Omaha Beach, Paris, Nuremberg. In addition, she shared statements from World War II veterans who were there. It was an amazing presentation! If you are looking for a presenter, she would be a great addition to your programming schedule.” 

— Renee Edwards, librarian from Fairfax County Public Library, Virginia.

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Recommendation from Robert Wearley, Ret. USAF Lt. Col; Former Chief Pilot for Howard Hughes Personal Fleet of Aircraft: “Kayleen Reusser offers accurate historical information in an entertaining way for audiences.”

Contact me at KayleenReusser (at) gmail (dot) com for more information about booking an event. Or fill out the contact form below. I’ll get back with you soon!