100 years ago on December 15th, my grandparents married on my grandmother Myrtle’s 18th birthday. Weeks later, Grandpa Bill received his draft notice to join the Army infantry. Earlier, when he’d tried to enlist, he’d been turned down for medical reasons. Now, in December 1917, he was determined fit. He underwent basic training and shipped … Continue reading World War I Era Family
Here is a very interesting article on the importance of the US in the Great War, and the importance of remembering. https://www.msn.com/…/has-the-us-forgotten-abou…/ar-BBFYGdz… We will be leading a phenomenal expedition to France next July 1-7 to do just that — remember America in World war One. The beautiful French countryside adds to the trip! Check-out the … Continue reading The Importance of Remembering
50 years ago last week Father Angelo Litecky, priest of 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, earned the Medal of Honor for his heroism in bringing 20 wounded men to safety in a very tough battle in Bien Hoa. The article in the link below tells the incredible story. Join us next April 16-29, 2018 as we … Continue reading Vietnam Hero
A year ago yesterday, Sheryl and I had the privilege, with our EHE guests and friends, to attend the national Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremonies on the 75th commemoration of that dark day. Our great additional privilege was to escort one of our guests, Stan Van Hoose, who had been assigned as a navigator’s assistant on … Continue reading Pearl Harbor Commemoration
“We cannot rewrite history, but we can right history.” ~ Judge John C. Hayes III of Rock Hill, SC in 2015 On Jan. 31, 1961, 10 black students sat at a whites-only lunch counter at a local Rock Hill store and asked to be served. Dragged by police from their stools, the protesters, from nearby … Continue reading Passing of Judge Finney, a Civil Rights Icon
“In the fall of 1941, mysterious letters appeared in the mailboxes of a select group of young women attending the Seven Sisters colleges. Chosen for their aptitude in such subjects as math, English, history, foreign languages and astronomy, the women were invited to meet one-on-one with senior professors. At Wellesley, the students were asked unusual … Continue reading “Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II”
“These young Gestapo guys don’t even check papers well anymore.” ~ Irv Refkin A young Jewish-American OSS (Office of Strategic Services) spy during WWII, Refkin spent a lot of time behind enemy lines, usually disguised as a German corporal (“No one has ever noticed a corporal,” he said). On this occasion he was having drinks … Continue reading WWII American Hero Dies at 96
By Lt. Col.(ret) Brian M. DeToy, PhD & Sheryl Rankin Shafer Photo Credit: Sheryl Rankin Shafer Vietnam. The word itself conjured up so many images, so many memories for my wife and me. It was associated so deeply with our youth. I was born in 1962 on an Army camp on Okinawa and Sheryl a … Continue reading Vietnam: Ghosts of Our Fathers
EHE partners Dr. Brian DeToy and Sheryl Rankin Shafer were recently published, along with several of Sheryl’s photos, in Destinations Travel Magazine! Check out the article entitled Founding Fathers: A Cuba Travelogue! http://destinationstravelmagazine.com/September2015/#/86 Cuba is hot this year. The Pearl of the Antilles is anticipating an influx of Americans out to discover this country so … Continue reading Founding Fathers: A Cuba Travelogue