A famous man lives near me, and I was just privileged to read his story. Bill Robinson is a large man. His personality is larger than life as well. He is one of our nation’s heroes and survivors of war. Bill Robinson is quoted as saying, “We sometimes fondly say that we classify ourselves as the longest rescue in history.” He can justifiably attest to that. He spent 2,703 days … [Read more...] about Meet Bill Robinson, A Great American Hero
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A Hero That Paid a Huge Price For All of Us
The change of seasons in the South is a time of beauty for most of us. No matter what the season, each has its own joy to offer those who look for it. To my dad, Charles Stephens, a World War II veteran, springtime and fall had special meaning and affected his mood, health, and memories. My dad was drafted into the U.S. Army in late 1942. His brother had already been in the … [Read more...] about A Hero That Paid a Huge Price For All of Us
POW, Patriot and Poet Extraordinaire. The Hero William Lawrence
Every state has a poem. They all express the loyalty, love, and beauty of each individual state of our great nation. Some have humble origins; others are as old as the state itself. Tennessee’s is unique. It was born of tragedy, but the poem is a triumph and a reflection of the man who wrote it solely in his mind. He had no paper or pencil to create his ode to the state of … [Read more...] about POW, Patriot and Poet Extraordinaire. The Hero William Lawrence
POW, Patriot, Hero
I grew up in a time of national turmoil. Body counts and horrific scenes from Vietnam were the regular features on the nightly news. By 1971 Americans were tired of the fatalities, the horrors, and the cost. Attempts at negotiation were made, but the peace talks in Paris were stalling, and increasingly the war was unpopular. I was a junior in high school that year. Young men … [Read more...] about POW, Patriot, Hero
The Former POW and Hero Next Door
Monday, July 4, marks the anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, commonly referred to as Independence Day. It is usually associated with hotdogs, fireworks, and price-slashing online/in-store shopping, with little thought of the heroes who have helped preserve our precious freedom. And although we have several occasions to remember our … [Read more...] about The Former POW and Hero Next Door