[June 6, 2023] Codenamed Operation Overlord, the invasion of German-occupied France had long been coming. Success was an outgrowth of the many leadership lessons from the failures at Dunkirk and other battlefields. Those lessons were hard-earned and cost the lives of tens of thousands of military and civilians. Yet, what did the military and civilian leadership gain from… Read More »
[June 3, 2023] Summer jobs, side jobs, and odd jobs. This article is my latest update to letters to my granddaughter. Growing up in the 1950s was good for me. By now, you know that we were rich (by local standards), and that meant my parents were married, my dad had a steady job on the railroad,… Read More »
[June 1, 2023] Did you ever see the face of a troop in a combat zone who sees, for the first time, a young beautiful Red Cross Donut Dolly? That troop is magically transformed from a mentally hardened, physically grubby and weary Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman or Coastie into a smiling, joking, happy, jolly, friendly person you… Read More »
[May 29, 2023] From the stories told by my parents, my first doggie – Rusty – was my forever companion. He was there when I was born and lived with us for many years. I’m convinced our close, very close bond was the reason for many decades of wonderful relationships with animals throughout my lifetime, in particular, pet… Read More »
[May 29, 2023] Memorial Day is a time of recognizing those military men and women who have given their lives for our nation. It is also a time of parades, speeches, cookouts, and the unofficial beginning of summer. Below is the Memorial Day speech that I gave nine years ago, at my retirement from 40 years in the… Read More »
[May 26, 2023] In two weeks, I will be at the memorial and military funeral service for a U.S. Army Soldier who died during the Korean War. His remains were recently identified and are now being returned to his home in Mays Landing, NJ, just a short drive from my home. I was asked to say a few… Read More »
[May 24, 2023] Last year, during my township’s 4th of July parade, I saw a small child stand and salute our Veterans as they passed. These Vets were holding our American and service flags. Some folks came out to hug them, a few sang patriotic songs, and many thanked them for their service. This brought great comfort to… Read More »
[May 23, 2023] This hits close to home. I often talk about WWII and Korean War veterans being a significant part of my upbringing. And now, one who died in the war has been identified. The U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has announced that unknown remains from the Korean War are identified as PFC Harry Hartmann, Jr. He… Read More »
[May 20, 2023] If there is one thing I would want from my grandparents today, it would be letters they wrote to me, telling me about their lives, what they believed in, what made them good men and women, and how they saw the world. Those letters would be more valuable than any token, money, or property. So,… Read More »
[May 19, 2023] Great stories never die. And neither do great myths; some of those heroes’ stories are popularized but false. In the mid-1970s, I was stationed in West Germany and heard from many of their citizens how rubble women were the mainstay of rebuilding a destroyed Germany. New evidence from Germany itself contradicts much of this myth.… Read More »