Posts Tagged ‘US Army’
The Best Christmas Present Ever
Seventy years ago, US Navy demolition teams, Army engineers, and hundreds of other American servicemen, all part of a UN force that weeks earlier had numbered over 100,000, watched as a massive explosion – the largest since World War II – erupted over a small port in North Korea. With docks, warehouses, and wharfs bursting…
Read MoreThe POW/MIA Day Story that Facebook Thinks is Too Political
With National POW/MIA Recognition Day held this past Friday, September 18, Americans from all walks of life and from every creed, race, and religion honored their fellow countrymen who became prisoners of war or were listed as missing in action and have yet to come home. As a Marine veteran, career educator, and writer who…
Read MoreI Don’t Hate Nobody Because Life Is So Short
“When I became a citizen it was one of the happiest days in my life . . . [the US] is the best country in the world, and I’m part of it.” – Tibor Rubin He survived more than a year in a Nazi concentration camp, was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions in…
Read MoreA Week of Terror in 1968
“We thought the president there was a stooge, an American collaborator. I hated him.” – Kim Shin-jo, member of a North Korean commando team sent to assassinate the South Korean president in January 1968 On the afternoon of January 17, 1968, a 31-man, hand-picked team of North Korean commandos who had been…
Read MoreJimmy Stewart’s Wonderful Life
With the holiday season once again upon us, it’s time to share a story I wrote a year ago about Jimmy Stewart. I’ve always admired the Academy-award winning actor for his role in the classic Christmas movie, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” and for his service as WWII bomber pilot. But it wasn’t until I started researching his…
Read MoreA Shining Example to the World
WW2 Army Air Corps veteran Jimmy Stewart WWII Veteran Richard Overton, US Army, who died at the age of 112 (PC: AP) Col. Ruby Bradley, US Army Nurse Corps (PC: findagrave) Marine veteran Jin Park, Iraq (PC: Jin Park) Korean War veteran and MOH recipient PFC Gene Obregon, USMC (PC: US Marine Corps) Veterans Day,…
Read More“What Would Sybil Say?” A POW’s Story of Love, Loyalty, and Survival
When asked what kept him going during his nearly three years as a Korean War POW, William “Bill” Funchess, 91, gives credit to his physical and mental toughness growing up as a “South Carolina farm boy;” his strong Christian faith; and his wife, Sybil. Reminiscing about “the most wonderful girl in the world,” Funchess said…
Read MoreThey Stood Proud and Strong
“We grunts never knew, one day from the next, where we were or what we were accomplishing. The mountains, valleys, stinking rice paddies, and frozen mountains all seemed the same to us. We were living and dying in our own violent little world.” – Marine serving during the Korean War with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines The…
Read MoreSo Much Life Ahead of Him
As we salute our brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces this weekend, we’re reminded that over 2 million current service members are stationed at military bases throughout the US and more than 160 countries on all seven continents. And they have one of the toughest jobs around. They endure long hours,…
Read MoreAn Angel in Fatigues
“Now don’t worry, you won’t be in any wars . . .” – US Army recruiter’s promise to Ruby Bradley in 1933 In a little-known chapter of WWII and Korean War history, thousands of women served and sacrificed as nurses. Although often overlooked, their expertise, dedication, and courage under fire were an important part of…
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