Albion Man Publishes Books About Area Vets By Dennis Nartker – [email protected] Friday, 04 February 2011 ALBION — An Albion man has turned his interest in history and area veterans’ war stories into two five-star-rated hardbound books. In 2005 Mike McCoy wrote and published “Bootprints,” the story of U.S. Army Sgt. Hobert Winbrenner’s experiences on [...]
It’s LFWW time again. This week we’ll feature a note from Lt. Bob Gage, of Albion, Indiana. Lt. Gage was a B-24 bomber pilot, serving with the 370th Bomb Squadron, 307th Bomb Group, 13th Air Force in the South Pacific. He and his crew had quickly made names for themselves. Lt. Gage was bumped up [...]
I just received word that two friends, and contributors to EVERYTOWN, USA have passed away. God rest their souls. Lucille Parker Steckley died at the age of 90, on January 13, in Pomona Park, Florida. Her brother, Donald Parker, a World War II airman, was featured in Chapter 55 of EVERYTOWN, USA. She was more [...]
This Wednesday, we’re featuring a letter from World War II infantryman, Ralph Conner. He fought through North Africa, Sicily and into Italy with Company L, 7th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division. Conner, while on the Italian Front, wrote this short December 1943 note to his little sister, Lois, back home in Noble County, Indiana. Dear Lois, [...]
I think I can safely say that we’ve all been amazed by the progress of Arizona Representative, Gabrielle Giffords, in the aftermath of the shooting at Tucson. Some would call her climb thus far nothing less than a miracle. We all certainly wish her well. It got me thinking of others, that I’ve talked to [...]
Positive feedback is beginning to pour in for EVERYTOWN, USA. These Five Star peer reviews are courtesy of Amazon.com. Many thanks to our ardent supporters. “Everytown, U.S.A.: From Main Street to the Front Lines” is more than a one-off book; for historian-author Mike McCoy this book is but a first step in a ‘mission’, both [...]
Although I know it is inevitable, it always pains me when another veteran, that I’ve come to know personally, passes away. Calvin Hawk died this last Sunday, and will be buried today. He was 87. I first met Hawk nine years ago, in January 2002, when I visited him at his home to learn about [...]
I think we are all intrigued by the unusual and out of place when it comes to history, especially regarding military battles. Amid the most horrific of circumstances, certain things stand out, not for their brutality, but for their humanity. The History Junkie loves irony. General Ulysses S. Grant’s advance on Richmond came to [...]
The 1942 Albion High School half-mile relay team caught the attention of many from near and far. The crew consisted of seniors Ed McGinley, John Hutchison and Robert Hanlon, with junior Paul Forker rounding out the foursome. Few competitors could match their combined speed. The unit placed second behind only Auburn at the highly competitive [...]
In June 1944, the submarine, USS Barbel, piloted by Commander R.A. Keating, took on supplies and completed final training at Pearl Harbor. By July, she was off to war. Only days into her first patrol, the Barbel narrowly averted disaster. “…On the 28th of July, one of the lookouts, Seaman First Class Lange sighted a [...]