September 18 was the Air Force’s 75th birthday. It was officially formed in 1947, two years after WWII ended. During World War II, the aviation branch of the military was an arm of the Army. It was called at different times the Army Air Corps and Army Air Force. As a proud supporter of our... Continue Reading →
Happy Birthday to My Favorite Vet & the Marine Corps!
My husband received this beautiful American flag at his retirement at the 122nd Fighter Wing in Ft Wayne, IN. My daughters & I attended the event. Today, my husband John celebrates a birthday! He is my favorite veteran (Air Force) and introduced me to military life as a spouse and later as a mother of... Continue Reading →
WWII Female Flyer Changes History
It’s a privilege to post about one of the women from my first book, We Fought to Win: American World War II Veterans Share Their Stories. Margaret Ray Ringenberg served as a WASP (Women’s Air Service Pilots) during World War II. She seemed to be born to be in the air as you will read... Continue Reading →
B-29 Gunner Flew 33 Missions; Met FDR
“For more than a year it was a steady routine of dropping bombs and encountering enemy fighters and heavy accurate flak,” he said. His longest mission to Nagoya lasted 18 hours. During the war, Bates flew 33 missions over Japan in B29s.
Veteran’s Day–Opportunity to Recognize Military Service People
This week we have the official opportunity to recognize military service people! Veteran’s Day will be celebrated on Wed, November 11. Remember to thank a veteran! On a personal note, my husband will celebrate his birthday on November 10. He is retired with 21 years of service in the Air Force, Grissom Air Reserve Base ... Continue Reading →
Opportunity to Meet/Honor WWII Vets!
A big FREE event is coming up one week from today for all of you military supporters/ history lovers around Fort Wayne! On November 1, starting at 2pm at the Fort Wayne History Center, I will talk about my project of interviewing World War II vets as part of the George Mather lecture series. ... Continue Reading →
Birthday Tribute to World War II Vet Don Shady
Today I want to say ‘Happy birthday’ and give tribute to a World War II vet that I’m happy to call my friend. We attend the same church and usually see each other weekly, but I didn't know Don Shady well when I interviewed him about his experiences in the Army Air Corps during the... Continue Reading →
WWII Vets to Share Stories on Upcoming Radio Interview
On Sat 2/28 my husband John & I will accompany 2 World War II vets from my book -- World War II Legacies: Stories of Northeast Indiana Veterans -- to University of Indianapolis to be featured on a Hoosier History Live radio show. It airs each Saturday, noon to 1 p.m. ET on WICR 88.7... Continue Reading →
Marty Wyall Last WWII WASP in Indiana
“Being a WASP changed our thinking about everything,” said Marty Wyall of Fort Wayne. Among the 25,000 applicants for the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots), Mary Anna Martin of Indianapolis was one of 1,830 women accepted and one of only 1,074 who completed the program. This is an excerpt from my book, World War II... Continue Reading →
Meet Distinguished WWII Vets at Free Event!
If you’ve wanted to meet a World War II vet and ask questions about his or her service, you’ll have a unique opportunity to do so on Sat, Jan 24 at River Terrace Estates in Bluffton, Indiana. Two vets from my book, World War II Legacies: Stories of Northeast Indiana Veterans, have agreed to... Continue Reading →