Joy Neal Kidney's Blog, page 63

Five Surprising Things about Author Kayleen Reusser

Kayleen’s surprising answers:

1.   She grew up with a love for horses, took riding lessons and has ridden horses in 13 states, including Alaska.

2.   She interviewed an Indiana Supreme Court Justice for a magazine story on genealogy.

3.   For many years she focused on travel writing during which she saw her first rodeo in Billings, Montana – and was thrilled!

4.   She has not watched American TV/movies for more than a decade, preferring to view British and other European/ Australian shows and learn their cultures. Anyone else know what the bonnet on a car is?

5.   She will soon celebrate her 41st wedding anniversary to the best man on earth and undoubtedly the only one who could ever live with her.

Kayleen Reusser has written professionally for 30 years. She has contributed several stories for Chicken Soup series, written for magazines and newspapers and penned 16 non-fiction books for middle grades.

Ten years ago, her writing took a turn when she interviewed a WWII veteran.

Inspired by her interview with the Marine who fought bravely in the Pacific from 1941-1945 and her desire to better support the military (Reusser is the proud wife and mother of Air Force airmen) and build a higher level of patriotism among Americans, she changed her focus. Today, she devotes her writing and speaking to the 260 WWII vets she has interviewed and other aspects of the war. She has written nine books about WWII.

In 2017, Reusser and her husband completed a 10-day WWII Tour of Europe. Since then, she has spoken to thousands of people about the brave vets she has met who fought in Omaha Beach, the Battle of the Bulge, Paris, Hitler’s retreat called Eagle’s Nest, Dachau, and more. Beginning in 2020, she expanded her reach with zoom talks around the US. She posts regularly to her blog and sends out a monthly newsletter.

Panther Corner

Perry, Iowa, was a destination town during the 1950s, fun to shop in, and easier to drive to than Des Moines. Grandma Leora, who lived in Guthrie Center in those days, used to enjoy shopping there, too.

Grandma would ride the bus from Guthrie to Panther Corner along Highway 44 in Colfax Township. We waited for the bus in the shade of tall trees along the gravel road across from the Panther store and garage. Here’d come the bus with our precious grandma. Holding her pocketbook and small suitcase, she’d climb down the steps of the bus. We’d help carry her little bag back to the car. Perry is a short drive north from there (now Highway P-58).

The road to Perry is between the garage and the store, to the right in the photo.

After a day of shopping and lunch in a cafe, we’d take her home with us for a few days. Those made for special memories.

Grandma Leora always wore dresses until her daughters talked her into pants suits.Panther Store in the “olden days.”

These days, there’s only a memorial on that corner, but there are still plenty of people around who have fond memories of bustling Panther Corner.

Mom and my sister Gloria reading the storyboard for Panther Corner.

Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France

The history of the Lorraine American Cemetery, according to the official booklet about the cemetery and memorial, began with actions of the U.S. Third and Seventh Armies in NE France against Nazi Germany in late 1944. Thousands of men were lost during the Battle of the Bulge, along with the assault on the Siegfied Line.

“Most of those interred here gave their lives during the advance to the Rhine and the advance across Germany in the spring of 1945.”

A temporary American military cemetery was established in March 1945, about 1/2 mile south of the present cemetery.

 

The remains of Lt. Daniel W. Wilson, who was KIA in February of 1945, were finally located in Austria in late 1945. His parents were notified in January, 1946.

 

The next summer, an American Graves Registration team handled declarations from officials in the town where he was buried. His remains were disinterred and someone decided he would be temporarily buried in the cemetery above. His casualty records include checking all the facts, especially since the enemy had removed his ID tags, and noting the name of the chaplain who held the burial service.

A document from his 293 or casualty file shows that X-7341, BTB (believed to be) Lt. Daniel Wilson, was reburied at a new temporary American cemetery near St. Avold, France, September 9, 1946, at 1500 hours, in temporary plot KKKK, Row 3, Grave 64.

Permanent Burial

After his mother made the decision not to have his remains sent home to Iowa, Lt. Daniel S. Wilson, previously known as X-7341, was buried on December 21, 1948, for the third and final time at the new and permanent Lorraine American Cemetery–Plot D, Row 5, Grave 7.

Sisters Darlene and Doris at the grave of their younger brother, Danny Wilson. The Superintendent of Lorraine American Cemetery, Walter Gebhardt, in the foreground. October 1997.

General George C. Marshall wrote, in the June 1957 issue of The National Geographic Magazine, that “15,000,000 American men and women had answered the call to arms; of these, 360,810 died overseas. Most of them were buried near where they fell, in temporary graves on alien soil.” He said that more than half were “brought back to their homeland at the request of relatives.”

The remaining war casualties were left in the care of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

The permanent site of Lorraine covers more than 113 acres on the west edge of the Saar mining region. The cemetery and memorial had not yet been dedicated when Gen. Marshall wrote the 1957 article. The American cemetery in Europe with the largest number of graves, over 10,000, was finally dedicated in 1960.

October 1997

 

Five Surprising Things about Author William Ablan

William Ablan/Richard Muniz’ surprising list:

I did a 100-mile road march in Holland.

2. Put a bullet hole in the roof of my car (being stupid out of season).

3. Shared a beer with a real, live princess.

4. Met William Shatner and had a good conversation with him. I didn’t realize it was him until several minutes after I’d walked away.

5. Ran a marathon on a broken foot.

—–

This conversationalist with William Shatner is the author of The Lawman Series, including The Cross and the Badge and Against Flesh and Blood, stories “From the Case Files of Detective Will Diaz (Ret.)” The novels are based on stories from the author’s own compelling experiences from his years in law enforcement.

A native of the San Luis Valley in Southern Colorado, Rich was raised a cowboy. His sights were set on distant horizons, light years away in fact. He studied Astronomy at Adams State University, and in his senior year, began to suspect he was taking a degree in something he couldn’t get hired for.

He ended up working as a law enforcement officer for over twenty years. Somewhere in the middle of all this, events would dictate that he step out of his comfort zone. He enlisted in the United States Army as a Military Policeman. His experience as a civilian police officer proved invaluable in the Army as he worked undercover narcotics, plain clothes investigations, and VIP security. During this he deployed to the Persian Gulf for the Gulf War. After the Gulf War, he worked Emergency Management in the San Luis Valley.

Eventually he moved into the Information Technology field, and has worked in it for the past twenty years. He’s considered an expert in VMware, Security, and Auditing, and has written extensively on those subjects. He and his wife currently reside in Greeley, Colorado.

—–

Rich also has a website, where lately he’s been researching bad guys (and gals) and other fascinating stories from Colorado history. He also shares stories on Our American Stories and does his own podcasts.

Military New Testaments and a Great Grandmother’s Bible

The earliest Bible handed down in my family is Great Grandmother Laura Goff’s, next to a doily she made decades later.

Written on a black hard-to-read page inside is “Laura Goff, Key West, Minn.” Looks like she may have paid $1.35 for it. The Goff family moved to Minnesota with eight children 1903, and moved back to Iowa in 1905 with another baby.

Inside the old Bible are the military IDs for Laura Goff’s three sons (Jennings, Merl, and Wayne) who served in WWI, also the two who served in WWII (Rolla and Clarence).

Next is her daughter Leora’s note, “Mother read this Bible twice when she was with Clarence in Omaha.” (That would have been in the late 1930s.)

Under that is Laura’s signature and a notation that she joined the M.E. church at Dexter, Iowa, March 14, 1937, and was baptized there on March 28, 1937 (which was Easter Sunday) by Rev. J. H. Freedline. This is interesting because she’d moved to Omaha in 1935 and was living with her sons and two motherless grandchildren. She must have been visiting Leora’s family in Dexter when she joined the church (where she’d attended during the late 1920s and early 1930s) and was baptized.

This page is interesting because it notes that the Bible is a “Self-Pronouncing Edition” and was published by the American Branch of Oxford University Press.

“Translated out of the original tongues: and with the former translations diligently compared and revised, by his majesty’s special command.”

“Appointed to be read in churches,” it says.

 

 

World War I New Testament

The tobacco can wasn’t Clabe Wilson’s, but Prince Albert was his brand, noted in the old letters as his “P.A.” This was his pipe, and the WWI New Testament, probably one of Leora’s brother’s.

 

There’s no date in this one, but “The President’s Message” is by Woodrow Wilson, so would have been given to those who served in WWI. It probably belonged to one of Leora Wilson’s brothers.

The last paragraph reads, “When you have read the bible you will know that it is the World of God, because you will have found it the key to your own heart, your own happiness, and your own duty.”

This one plays a role in Chapter 30 of Leora’s Dexter Stories, when Clabe is comforted by verses about gossip.

 

World War II New Testaments

Claiborne Junior Wilson

Junior Wilson’s New Testament has pilot’s wings on it. The note is from President Franklin Roosevelt. “As Commander-in-Chief I take pleasure in commending the reading of the Bible to all who served in the armed forces of the United States. Throughout the centuries men of many faiths have found in the Sacred Book words of wisdom, counsel and inspiration. It’s a foundation of strength and now, as always, an aid in attaining the highest aspirations of the human soul.”

There are several clippings inside, along with this prayer in Leora’s handwriting.

 

 

 

Daniel S. Wilson

On September 26, 1945, a carton of Dan Wilson’s things arrived at the Wilson acreage south of Perry–sent from the Army Effects Bureau of the Kansas City Quartermaster Depot.

Clabe signed for the box. I suppose they opened it, but did they sort through their son’s eighteen pairs of socks, five cotton undershirts, three khaki trousers, and other clothing?  If they had, they would have found Danny’s wrist watch, souvenirs of his R and R to Rome over Christmas, a fountain pen, other items including a small New Testament.

Yes, the war was over, but life just kept on and on. . . .

According to Leora’s notes, she churned butter every week. Two cows had calves. Clabe helped a neighbor with field work.

At some point, they would have thumbed through the Danny’s small New Testament.

They would have found the page with the American flag pictured in color.

I believe this legacy of faith in God, from Great Grandmother’s self-pronouncing Bible to the military New Testaments, helped Leora Wilson’s family get through the Great Depression and the terrible losses of WWII with hope, resilience, and determination.

Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II and Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression have more stories about the Wilson family.

Military Service Members Related to Leora Wilson

Someone mentioned that Leora Wilson seemed to have several family members who’ve served in the armed forces, so I decided to see if I could come up with a list. Here’s what I found:

World War I

Three brothers: Merl, Wayne, and Jennings Goff–served in France with the 88th Division

World War II

Rolla Goff

 

Clarence (C.Z.) Goff, an earlier photo

 

Two brothers: Rolla and Clarence Goff.

I think Merl Goff also did war work.

Five sons Delbert, Donald, Dale, Daniel, and Junior

Delbert and Donald served in the U.S. Navy. Delbert’s service. Donald’s.

Dale, Danny, and Junior were pilots in the U.S. Army Air Force.

Dale Wilson, a B-25 copilot, was lost in combat off New Guinea. Danny Wilson, a P-38 pilot, was KIA in Austria. Junior Wilson’s P-40 exploded in training in Texas.

A nephew Merrill Goff, U.S. Marine, USS Pensacola

 

 

 

A son-in-law Warren Neal, U.S. Army Air Force pilot

 

 

 

 

 

Vietnam

Grandson Bob Scar, U.S. Marine pilot

 

 

 

 

 

Grandsons-in-law Guy Kidney (U.S. Air Force)  and Larry Willoughby (U.S. Navy)

 

Gulf War

Great Grandson Ken Scar, U.S. Army photojournalist, Afghanistan

Five Surprising Things about Author Robert Frohlich

Robert’s surprising answers:

1. Was found unconscious in the school restroom. (Inept gymnast.)2. Fixed a truck with baling wire and drove it home.3. Skied in the Bavarian Alps.4. Enjoyed a European vacation for $24.5. Was a gasoline thief and a hero at the same time.—–This heroic gasoline thief has written a compelling memoir.“Why am I still alive?” That question was in the back of his mind when in 1965, Robert Frohlich was headed out towards Arizona to look for a job after serving in the army for three years. Escaping a splintered family and a troubled past, his car broke down in Wisconsin.Through a series of events that involved finding life-long friends, stable work, and the love of his life, he never left, finally finding a place to stay after wandering for most of his life. However, that was not the first time God caused Robert’s life to change direction, nor will it be the last. By learning to trust in the Lord and let things come as they may, Robert has led a fulfilling life serving God, his family, and his community. Aimless Life, Awesome God is the story of Robert Frohlich, but it is also the story of anyone willing to let God redirect their lives according to His awesome plan.—–What an amazing life, an amazing story of God’s hand on one man, in spite of a broken childhood and even poor choices. I love stories that show God’s surprising nudges in a life through the decades, and the influence of that life on those around him.His website is full of uplifting stories. I hope he’ll share blog posts about some of those five things we don’t not know about him!Here’s a delightful one called “The Big Green Pickle.”Robert has also had two stories produced on Our American Stories. Wheels. Hmm, they seem to have a pretty strong theme through his life.Learning to Drive lasts a delightful 19 minutes.3, 2, 1, You’re It! is an 11-minute story.

Five Things You May Not Know about Author Robert Frohlich

Robert’s surprising answers:

1. Was found unconscious in the school restroom. (Inept gymnast.)2. Fixed a truck with baling wire and drove it home.3. Skied in the Bavarian Alps.4. Enjoyed a European vacation for $24.5. Was a gasoline thief and a hero at the same time.—–This heroic gasoline thief has written a compelling memoir.“Why am I still alive?” That question was in the back of his mind when in 1965, Robert Frohlich was headed out towards Arizona to look for a job after serving in the army for three years. Escaping a splintered family and a troubled past, his car broke down in Wisconsin.Through a series of events that involved finding life-long friends, stable work, and the love of his life, he never left, finally finding a place to stay after wandering for most of his life. However, that was not the first time God caused Robert’s life to change direction, nor will it be the last. By learning to trust in the Lord and let things come as they may, Robert has led a fulfilling life serving God, his family, and his community.Aimless Life, Awesome God is the story of Robert Frohlich, but it is also the story of anyone willing to let God redirect their lives according to His awesome plan.—–What an amazing life, an amazing story of God’s hand on one man, in spite of a broken childhood and even poor choices. I love stories that show God’s surprising nudges in a life through the decades, and the influence of that life on those around him.His website is full of uplifting stories. I hope he’ll share blog posts about some of those five things we don’t not know about him!Here’s a delightful one called “The Big Green Pickle.”Robert has also had two stories produced on Our American Stories. Wheels. Hmm, they seem to have a pretty strong theme through his life.Learning to Drive lasts a delightful 19 minutes.3, 2, 1, You’re It! is an 11-minute story.

Perseids (poem)

Perseids

Earth pirouettesthrough Swift-Tuttle’s trail.Shooting stars flirt by.(2005)

President Eisenhower at the Iowa State Fair

I was nine years old when I saw President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the first president to visit the Iowa State Fair, during its centennial year in 1954.

(He was, in fact, the second president I’d seen. The first one was President Harry S. Truman, at the 1948 National Plowing Match at Dexter, Iowa.)

What was also unique about Eisenhower’s visit in 1954 was that former President Herbert Hoover was with him.

“In recognition of the current and erstwhile president’s appearance, the fair’s organizers announced that they would eliminate the admission fee to the annual agricultural spectacle for the duration of the speech. But not everyone was elated at the idea that Iowans could suddenly attend the fair — and see two famous Republicans — for free.”

A horse caravan consisting of 509 people, 471 horses and 40 covered wagons traveled from Fairfield (the location of the first Iowa State Fair) to the Fairgrounds in Des Moines to officially open the Fair that year.

Iowa State Fair Trivia

According to Iowa State Fair Trivia, the presidents who’ve come to the Iowa State Fair were Herbert Hoover and Dwight Eisenhower in 1954, Gerald Ford in 1975, Jimmy Carter in 1976 (as a candidate), George W. Bush in 2002, Barack Obama in 2007 (as a candidate) and in 2012 as President, Donald Trump in 2015 (as a candidate); Joe Biden in 2019 (as a candidate), Ronald Reagan broadcasted from the Fair as sports director for WHO radio in the 1930s.

The 2021 Iowa State Fair runs from August 12-22. Since it wasn’t held last year because of the pandemic, people are certainly ready for this one. One “run up” to the fair has been the New Food Feud, with local media personalities involved in the voting.