Capturing WWII Stories, One Veteran at a Time
Richard Beach from Ohio was captured by the Germans in the Hurtgen Forest. This story in my weekly series of excerpted stories from my books is about Richard Beach who became a prisoner of war (POW) with the Germans. The POWs were a special group of veterans for what they endured. I was always excited... Continue Reading →
I’m happy to announce my third book in the WWII Legacies series in nearly complete! We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories will be available for purchase by Fall 2018. I love the cover that the design artist came up with. The faces of several of the veterans whose stories are featured... Continue Reading →
This week we honored May 8 – Victory in Europe or VE Day – celebrated all over the world in 1945. Can you imagine what this news meant to people who had been at war for many years? This is a photo of the actual room in Reims France where the Germany General Jodl signed... Continue Reading →
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 →
(This is an excerpt of a story from my soon-to-be-released book, They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans) Gaylord Conrad’s most vivid memories of the Pacific during World War II was not that of a bloody battle field but what came after it. In late 1943 Conrad from Leo, IN, was attached... Continue Reading →
Paul Rider of Fort Wayne is an interviewer’s dream. He could recite his story during World War II in clear fashion, had a scrapbook full of memories, a diary and many photos – and a story that had a peaceful resolution decades after the war. Remember to thank a veteran today for his/her service... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
I was saddened to hear of the death of a World War II vet featured in my book, World War II Legacies: Stories of Northeast Indiana Veterans. Robert ‘Bob’ E. Foster, 92, of Fort Wayne, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2015. I met Bob through a friend a couple of years ago. He was... Continue Reading →
Thirteen weeks after being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, Paul Zurcher of Monroe was on the front lines of battle in Italy. He was part of the 10th Mountain Division, a machine gun squadron in which Zurcher served as the ammunition bearer. Often, while burrowed in a foxhole during battle, 19-year-old Zurcher wondered... Continue Reading →
Writing of Kayleen Reusser 