American Legion provides classroom flags
Category: Personal Experiences
The George P. Vanderveer Post #129 of Toms River, NJ was advised of the need for new classroom flags for the Lakehurst Elementary School, and quickly provided them. After mold was discovered at the elementary school, the building was closed and the students relocated. Months later the school re-opened, minus classroom flags. Once the Legion heard that the students were saluting small desk flags, they quickly responded with brand new large classroom flags for each room.
Brothers meet in Holland during WWII
Category: Visual Arts
During WWII (Europe) Russell H. Souders, Sr. served in the artillery with the 9th Army while his brother flew a B-26 Marauder overhead during his advance. They had a chance meeting in Holland right before the Battle of the Bulge.
Six Months Wonder
Category: Poetry
What I learned Without Realizing It
“Where the Hell is Korea?” – Warfare in the land of Sorrow.”
Category: Visual Arts
The Korean War, often referred to as the “Forgotten War” is being remembered at the U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center (USAHEC) with a new special exhibit. On Armed Forces Day, May 18, 2019, and in anticipation of the 70th commemoration of the start of the Korean War in June 2020, the Center will open a new exhibit - “Where the Hell is Korea?” – Warfare in the land of Sorrow.”
Our Dad, Our Hero
Category: Personal Experiences
What I learned about my father, the paratrooper!
Ain’t No Justice
Category: Poetry
It seemed to me while in my youth Life is not fair and that’s the truth The rich the powerful the strong Impose on weak and poor a wrong A tank in World War Two I called “Ain’t No Justice” I was told You can’t do that change the name There are rule to play the game But fate stepped in another crew Went in that tank to Italy go And there a bomb five hundred weight Destroyed that tank the crew of fate And years of passing proved to me There “Ain’t No Justice” here I see And then I heard a wise man tell Justice is just a principle It’s not in truth reality While in this world for man to see But surely Justice must be served A day of Judgment is reserved When we shall stand before the bar A scroll unrolled tell what we are A bright remembrance of our guilt The Scales of Justice will not tilt Upon the final Judgment Day When Lord the Judge of all will say “Divide the Goats from our the Sheep… The Sheep with Me I’ll surely keep… All enter into joy with me Who kept My law so faithfully.
Spotlight on Jean Wilson - Dept. of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander
Category: Personal Experiences
What happens when you continue to serve; both in the American Legion as a Legionnaire and in the American Legion Auxiliary? The result is an interesting mix of a civic minded leader who continues to serve well after their Armed Service tenure has ended. I recently had the privilege of interviewing Jean Wilson, Department of Ohio 2nd Vice Commander; I was intrigued by what makes this remarkable woman tick.
The Next Best Thing
Category: Film / Documentary
Stalag Luft III - One Man's Story is told by WWII prisoner of war U.S. Eighth Air Force Bombardier Lt. Charles Woehrle, one of 10,000 prisoners in Stalag Luft III depicted in the movie "The Great Escape." Woehrle was shot down May 29th, 1943. His parachute malfunctioned when he bailed from his crippled B-17 yet miraculously he survived. At age 93 this remarkable man and gifted storyteller takes us back with vivid detail as he relives his experiences that include: a terrifying air battle, being captured by the Nazis, receiving an unexpected parcel from a watch company in Geneva, the 70-mile below zero "Forced March,” and liberation by General Patton after two long years of uncertainty and tremendous hardship. His personal account of how he survived is filled with grit and grace. His niece, Louise Woehrle, shares her thoughts on sharing his story in the documentary and what the feature means to her and many others.
Haboob Wind
Category: Books
Imagine your family member, co-worker or trusted friend is a member of a terrorist sleeper cell who would kill you without hesitation once an attack on American soil commences. This exact scenario plays out in Tommy Anderson’s thrilling debut novel, Haboob Wind (Coyote Mountain Publishing, May 2018, $12.99, ISBN # 978-1- 5136-34234). This gripping, ripped-from-the-headlines narrative has received rave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads and a commitment from Hollywood’s Global Edge Pictures to turn the book into a major motion picture. Shar Yonan of Global Edge Pictures said, “I knew by chapter two that Haboob Wind had the potential to be a blockbuster hit because it’s a true dedication to the heart and soul of our military veterans.” It’s 2021, 20 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on America and celebrations to the heroes and survivors are suddenly disrupted by a long-planned terrorist attack within the U.S. An Electronic Pulse Weapon (EPW) missile attack along with a ground terrorist assault is launched at a Southern California military installation — supported by thousands of sleeper cell members, who camouflaged themselves into the fabric of American society as patriots working in trusted positions in the government, law enforcement, FBI and CIA. The invasion, called Haboob Wind (a violent Arabic dust storm), is orchestrated by a radical jihad army formed after the U.S. pulled out of Iraq in 2011. A vintage strike force, led by veteran military officers, is called on to defeat the terrorist group. In an epic battle of good versus evil, Anderson confidently showcases the resourcefulness and patriotism of our veterans to protect our life, liberty, and freedom against all odds of modern warfare.
Honor POW/MIA
Category: Personal Experiences
A first POW/MIA Golf Tournament to honor a Fallen Soldier who could not attend the event