Mystic93ca:

maggie61:

I have my old flags folded, but I still have to find out if the local VFW will take them for proper disposal.

Maggie

   

If the VFW won't take them, check with your local fire department, I seem to recall reading somewhere that most firestations will take them.

Like Pup-pal, I thoroughly am enjoying From Baghdad with Love: A Marine, The War and a Dog Named Lava.

 As a Lt. Col, the author knows that adopting a pet during war is against every rule, rules he generally agrees with. But Lava completely wins him over. And he will you too. I melted when I got to the part about the author thinking someone's short-sheeted him because he couldn't reach his feet all the way to the end, but then realizes Lava's found a new place to sleep.

There's a lot about the K-9 handlers too and what they and the dogs go through and what an immense contribution they're making in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It's a quick, easy, heartwarming read.
 

I just requested several of these books from our library, and I just finished reading one..."Once Upon a Town" by Bob Greene.  It was WONDERFUL.  It tells the story of how the communities in and around North Platte, Nebraska started a Canteen at their train depot in order to feed the soldiers who were travelling across country on troop trains during WWII.  There were up to 32 trains per day and these people met EVERY train, every day and night throughout the duration of the war!!  They served sandwiches, coffee, milk, fried chicken, pies, cakes, cookies, fruit and every imaginable treat and all at their own cost...and all of this during war rationing!!  North Platte was the only community in the U.S to run an ongoing depot canteen.  The book details stories of those who worked at the canteen and the soldiers who visited there.

The woman who started the canteen wrote a letter to her local newspaper editor, "I say let's get behind our sons and other Mothers' sons 100%.  Let's do something and do it in a hurry!  We can help this way when we can't help any other."  I couldn't agree more.  If you get time, you really should read this book...it is one of those stories that stay with you.  It is Kate Blaise's book next and then the one about the marine who adopted the puppy...the cover of that book...oh my!  Thank you for all of these wonderful recommendations.  Take care, Laura

Laura Hello!

 As I live in Nebraska I know of North Platte and the dedicated volunteers in WWII. Many lived over a hundred miles away and got up at 3 am to ride the train everyday to North Platte to cook and prepare food for the soldiers. Every evening they rode back to their home only to do it again the next day.

Many soldiers still to this day remember the welcome greeting in North Platte away from loved ones on their way to war.

We had many prisoner of war camps in Nebraska and the German Prisoners were used to help the farmers. They would be driven out to the farms to work. One day a prisoner missed his ride back to prison camp and ran all the way back because he didn't want to miss dinner. Over the years some of them have come back to thank the people for their humane treatment. Some talked of the inner gang of Nazi's full of hate but many German soldiers were just drafted and wanted to go home to their families.  We teach by example, door

Laura & Door:

I read a lot of WWII history and "Once Upon a Town" is one of my favorite books. It's an amazing story especially given the fact that certain foods, ingredients and gasoline were rationed and they still managed to keep the tables full at the canteen. I'm going to send my copy in one of the care packages. Did either of you see the PBS program based on the book? I also have a weird interest in POW camps in the U.S. that housed Axis prisoners of war during WWII and have several books on the subject. Door, you're absolutely right about some of those POWs returning to the U.S. after they were repatriated to their home countries. Fascinating stuff!

Jen

Hi Inkydigits(love that name!) and Door,

Wow...can you believe I never knew that there were German prisoner of war camps in Nebraska!!  I must read up on that as I love history.  Also, I would love to see the PBS special on the canteen...I must see if I can order it from their site.  We live in Michigan now, but we lived for 8 years in Lincoln, NE!  We lived near the Wesleyan University Campus, Door if you are familiar with Lincoln.  We had never been to NE prior to our transfer there, but we met many amazing friends, our oldest daughter was born at Bryan Memorial Hospital and truly enjoyed the city.  I also am interested in WWII history and any books you two could recommend I know I would love reading...my Grandpa was in an infantry division in France during the war, but those who have been to war rarely speak of it.  Great to meet you both here!  Laura

p.s..hey inkydigits...did you know that in "Little Women" Professor Baher knew Jo was a writer (when they first met)  because she had "inkydigits"???:)

Laura:

I would be glad to give you a list of books on WWII that I've read. I think it's best if you e-mail me with your e-mail address.

The PBS program on "Once Upon A Town" is available on amazon.com. Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/The-Canteen-Spirit/dp/B000E0OBDS

Jen  (I wouldn't call myself a writer just yet. I scribble a lot.)

Ditto:  Inside Delta Force by CSM Eric Haney...loved it.

          In the Company of Soldiers by Rick Atkinson...awesome book...you are there with the Soldiers.

          Early this morning, I just finished Lone Survivor....The Eyewitness Account of Operation Redwing and The Lost Heroes of SEAL Team 10.  Please, everyone here who likes to read, pick up this book.  You will experience so many emotions...pass the tissue, please.....but, in the end, you will be so proud of these men.  I experienced one emotion, too, which I won't mention here, but if you read the book you'll understand.

Just wanted to let everyone know about this book. 

Today I bought Not a Good Day to Die..The Untold Story of Operation Anaconda by Sean Naylor and Roberts Ridge by Malcolm MacPherson.  Both were highly recommended.  I'll let you know what I think.

Brenda

A book to add to this list and appropriate for this time of year -

We Were Soldiers Once... And Young by LT Gen. Harold G. Moore (RET.) and

  Joseph L. Galloway

This is the one the Big and Rich song is about.

Ann

Hello! Everyone!

I wanted to include Anysoldiers own George Kakaletris's book that has now been released since his Chicago Radio interview in July.

The name of the book is "Within The Warrior There Lived A Broken Child"

To see Georges last message to us go to Old Contacts and read his August 17th 2007 post.

Does anyone have his contact information? He was going to start a charity and I would like to know more.

If so please PM me whatever you have.

Thank you, door

• Yes Pat,I'm reading it right now (Once Upon a Town) .Amazing how a very small place in the road can make such a big impact on the soldiers coming through on the "Troop Trains"  If anyone is interested in reading it then I can send it when I'm done.  Happy Packing!!   Jeepgirl

Another book that may be of interest to people here, especially those with contacts in Afghanistan:

The Afghan Campaign: A Novel
by Steven Pressfield

From Amazon.com:

A Western army marches into Afghanistan, planning to conquer it in three months. Three years later, a deal is struck leading to an "honorable" withdrawal. Not a page of recent history, this is a haunting historical novel recounting Alexander the Great's ill-fated Afghan invasion. Told by a Greek foot-soldier, Pressfield's novel features a well-staged, crisp, and understandable story line and enough historical detail to fascinate without slowing down the relentless plot.
© AudioFile 2006

I'm reading it for my Book Group, and it's really interesting. At times I forget that I'm reading a story that takes place in 300 B.C.

Hi Jenifer - Hope you don't mind my posting a little different type of book here rather that starting a competing thread.  Since so many units have a program for soldiers to read to their kids on camera and then send the books and DVDs home, I found a few really great books about our country I thought would be good to send.

At The Christmas Tree Shops (north east/mid Atlantic States) -

'America the Beautiful' - by Wendell Minor.  It is the words of, You guessed it the beautiful song by Katharine Lee Bates - or should I say poem set to the music of Samuel Agustus Ward. (Hope I spelled his name right.), with beautiful illustrations by - Wendel Minor.  Really beautiful book.

Found it at the Christmas Tree shop for $2.99 - MSRP is 16.99 - larger format, not real big tho and skinny.

Ann

P.S.  When I find the others I will post - am organizeing my books - one is a great pictorial tribute to the Pony Express also on sale now at B&N stores.  3 or 4.98. for older kids.

PA Dutch:

... Today Lt. Harding posted that he was looking for a book called "Courage After Fire"  he wants everyone to go home with a copy.  He posted a link to amazon.  Maybe you should both look into that for help.