Tomorrow is our nation's birthday. I'm so proud to be part of America and it's glorious history and fantastic citizens. We're not perfect but I'd still rather live here than anywhere else. Celebrate by thanking a vet for his/her service! This photo was taken of a young girl awaiting arrival of Honor Flight of Northeast... Continue Reading →
Bucket List: Take WWII Tour of Europe– Done!
My husband and I just returned from a 2-week World War II tour of Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany! The photo of my husband and me is on the patio of the 'Eagle's Nest', Hitler's retreat center, above the village of Berchtesgaden, Germany. We went with a group of 29 Americans and 3 Australians and one... 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 →
WWII Soldier Shocked by Graves at Guadalcanal
(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 →
WWII Soldier Fought Japanese; Liberated Prisoners
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 →
“Fear Has an Odor”
One of the strongest quotes I was ever given during an interview was by a World War II veteran was by Simeon Hain, Naval Aviator in the Pacific. “Fear has an odor,” he said. “It permeates your clothes and stinks. After getting back from a mission, I couldn’t wait to take a shower.” In honor... Continue Reading →
WWII Army Soldier ‘Heard’ Radioactivity from Hiroshima Bomb
Bill Yaney was born on March 7, 1925. To honor his date of birth, I’m highlighting his World War II time of service in this post. I'm glad to say this nice man and his wife were friends of my grandparents when they all lived as neighbors in their country homes. ** For most soldiers... Continue Reading →
Army Soldier Built Radar Unit in the Line of Fire
I read today about the death of another veteran from my book, World War II Legacies: Stories of Northeast Indiana Veterans. Arnold Keuneke served with the US Army in Africa and Europe. He was the first veteran I interviewed who had served in Africa and with radar. Here are excerpts from his story in my book:... Continue Reading →
Soldier Fought with Patton’s Third in Battle of the Bulge
Sleeping in foxholes under several inches of snow was the norm during the Battle of the Bulge. Beresford Clarke saw many casualties. “It was difficult seeing people go down," he said.
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.