As the 20th Century began and hopes surfaced for a new and optimistic age, Winston Churchill in 1901 made the following comments hoping that they would come true: “Europe is now groaning beneath the weight of armies. There is scarcely an important government whose finances are not embarrassed; there is not a Parliament of people from […]
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD
The number of military suicides has exceeded the number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq and continues to climb even after war’s end. This affliction has bedeviled all soldiers for eons because eyes have witnessed that which should not be seen: death, torture, and mutilation. In World War 1, it was called shell shock, […]
My New Hero: George VI of Great Britain
I was born during the reign of Britain’s King George VI but knew him only from his face on postage stamps contained in my paltry collection. In college, I developed a passion for history. Somehow I overlooked King George VI while I focused on another hero, Winston Churchill. The movie, “The King’s Speech” opened my […]
Enemies Working Together
My first novel, “Hearts, Minds, and Coffee” shows enemies working together to survive. This theme is not new. Listed below are three examples where enemies showed their humanity. First, most know about the Christmas Truce of December 25, 1914, when German and British troops celebrated Christmas Day together, exchanging presents, food, and even played a […]
More of Winston Churchill’s witticisms
Given at a dinner to honor US ambassador, 1919: “The United States invariably does the right thing, after having exhausted every other alternative.” On Lord Arthur Balfour, Prime Minister: “If you wanted nothing done at all, Balfour was the man for the job.” On labour leader Ramsay MacDonald: “A sheep in sheep’s clothing.” Socialism is […]
Churchill’s Hope for Peace
As the 20th Century began and hopes surfaced for a new and optimistic age, Winston Churchill made the following statement: “Europe is now groaning beneath the weight of armies. There is scarcely an important government whose finances are not embarrassed; there is not a Parliament of people from whom the cry of weariness has […]
Sayings from Winston Churchill, Part 1
I love Churchill’s clever insights and incisive comments. Here are a few: If you have knowledge, let others light their candles with it. Saving is fine thing. Especially when your parents have done it for you. On military training at Sandhurst, 1930: Although always prepared for martydom, I preferred that it should be postponed. Nothing […]
How the British East India Company brought about American Independence
The British East India Company received its charter from the British crown in 1600 to trade in India and Southeast Asia, yet its greed and mishandling of its operation had the unexpected and seemingly unrelated effect to influence the American colonists to declare their independence in 1776 The East India Company expanded exponentially during […]
Enemies Working Together
The theme of my novel, “Hearts, Minds, and Coffee” shows enemies working together to survive, in this case the heroes were four U.S. Army soldiers and a Vietcong village. Some readers felt it was a stretch. Enemies don’t work together! One friend called my story a fable, a fairy tale, and not real. I thought […]
When I hear the word Vietnam, I cringe
I get outraged and sad when I think of our government’s handling of the Vietnam conflict. I’m angry that our leaders violated a trust and the finest traditions of our country when they sent the younger generation to fight an unprovoked and unwinnable war. I get sad that those vets, shunned when they returned home, […]
