We're Going for it! Presidential Medal of Freedom! We need you.

Friends,

Hello. I know it's been a while. Between working full-time, mothering the best I can and spending as much time in the sunshine as possible (it was 75 in St. Louis yesterday!), I've not been a solid author pitching her story, as I should be. Forgive me.

But alas I'm back and with big news and a big ASK.

The big news: You've heard me say for several years we want Congressional Recognition for the 295 men and women already identified as taking part in POW Message Relay. We've tried a few representatives here and there, with little luck. I've decided to go to the top. It's a big year with much at stake and rhetoric beyond our wildest imaginations- but that shouldn't stop us, in fact, it should push us toward wanting to recognize our best and not our worst.

Tomorrow I will mail a package to the Executive Office and ask President Obama to award either the Presidential Medal of Freedom or the Presidential Citizens Medal to each of the 295 people we've identified thus far. Yes, read that again. You don't get anything without asking and these people deserve for US to ask on their behalf. This story needs to be told.

Now, here's where you come in. You've likely heard me speak, once or more about this awesome story of home front heroes. You liked what you heard and have likely told a person or two, sharing the good news. I need you to do that again. If the White House is going to take US seriously, they'll want to see that people care about this. How will they know? How many likes we have on our Facebook page (World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion) and on our blog (here). Will you please ask everyone you know to like these pages by 2/29? And, will you please share this message on every FB page you are a part of- especially those related to ham, amateur or short-wave radio. Those men and women are who we are trying to recognize and trust me- they are powerful beyond words when it comes to getting the message out!

Fingers crossed, we'll be in Washington this year to accept the award on behalf of the 295 men and women we celebrate in World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion. And, I hope you'll be right there beside me.

My most sincere thank you,
Lisa (below a pic of my most-amazing grandfather and I, in the early 80's)

Celebrating Pauline Holtzclaw of Charlotte NC - another World War II Radio Hero identified!

Hello friends. The story repeats itself yet again. I find myself the recipient of another wonderful communication that goes like this:

"A few years ago I stumbled across an old 5X7 3-ring binder that belonged to my mother.  In it are neatly and almost perfectly typed words of hymns, songs, poems, quips and little sayings.  Strategically placed in the middle of them is a poem entitled “A Soldier Speaks” from the Office of War Information.  The 15 pages that follow that poem are typed and handwritten addresses, service numbers and short memos from a POW to a family member here in the US or Canada that my mother notated.  Up to now, I have made an assumption that because she was a Red Cross volunteer during WWII, in Charlotte, NC, that she may have jotted these messages to relay them to families stateside.   Unfortunately, my mom passed in 2003, so this all comes as a bit of a mystery to me.  Then I come across your video and hear how many people, all over the country would write the names, addresses and notes from POW’s that they heard on the radio and would relay those messages to those families.  I’m wondering now, if that was what my mom was doing, instead of it coming through her volunteering with the Red Cross..."

That was the beginning of my communication with Rick Bartlett of Georgia. He shared with me the beautiful contents of that ring binder he found after her passing. Like myself, Rick couldn't put the materials down. He read and reread each note and then began searching for the POWs that his mother wrote about. He has become far more of a researcher than I, in fact. His work is impressive. I'm including a few documents that he was kind enough to share, and grant permission to share.

Rick and I are friends on my World War II Radio Heroes Facebook Page. Please friend him and thank him for his efforts and preservation of this piece of the story. We continue to seek Congressional Recognition for those like Pauline, who supported our POWs and their families with these precious notes. Please continue to reach out to your legislatures and ask for their help. I have materials you can use to that end- simply email me.

Sanford Lowe to Southerton Family

Hello friends.

I was recently contacted by Michael Southerton of the Philadelphia area. He shared this penny postcard he found from our own dear Sanford Lowe to Michael's great-grandmother alerting her of his father's capture. Thank you Michael for sharing this- and for being as excited about this as we are. Sanford was in deed a very special person to us for his 10,000+ letters to POW families like ours.

Transcript:

December 12th, 1944.

Dear Mrs. Southerton,

Tonight at 8.13 P.M.,  E.W.T. Berlin short wave radio announced the following:

"Bernard G. Southerton, A.S.N. 33355234, born in Honesdale, PA.. was captured while fighting on the Western European Front on a recent date and he is now in a prison camp in Germany, safe and well."

No address was given but I hope this card reaches you and the above information will be a source of help and encouragement to you. 

Very truly yours,

Sanford Lowe

This is the 13,070th notice forwarded by me from Tokyo and Berlin.

 

 

Proud to Add Another WWII Radio Hero to Our Master List for Congressional Recognition. That makes 294 and counting...

I am delighted to add Bessie May Dean Adcock to our list of World War II Radio Heroes- men and women who aided families like mine, alerting us that our loved one had been captured and was serving as a POW.

Hero: Bessie Mae Dean Adcock (married to W.T. Adcock)  P.O. Box 98 or Reams Avenue Roxboro, North Carolina.

I learned about Ms. Bessie May as I learn about most others, by the word of a good citizen trying to help someone (and sometimes that someone they are trying to help is me). In this case, I received an email from Kathy Young, the Director of Person County Museum of History in Roxboro North Carolina.
One of her  volunteers brought more than 100 responses from letters written (by her Mother) to POW families and was wondering what to do with them.

If you know anything about this story, World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion, you know that we salute each and every person involved with POW message relay. Their service to POW families, the POW him/herself, and the country at large, is largely unknown but is priceless to those of us affected.

Thank you Ms. Bessie May. Thank you to her daughter. And, thank you to Kathy Young for reaching out to me. Adding another name to this list of exemplary Americans makes for a delightful start to 2014.

Happiest of New Years to all of you.
- Lisa

World War II Radio Heroes Second Edition is Available Via Kindle- Finally!

Friends, Dave Williams, my designer has pulled it off. Moments ago I submitted the finished Kindle version of the second edition of World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion. It will be made available for purchase within 24 hours. I'm announcing it here on my blog first, as a special thank you to those of you following it.

The Kindle version is $9.90 for US and adjusted at that same rate for other currencies around the globe. It is exclusively available via Kindle at this time.

If you purchase the paperback book from Amazon, you can also purchase the Kindle version for an extra $2.99. http://www.amazon.com/World-War-Radio-Heroes-Compassion/dp/0989191400/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1379554778&sr=8-1&keywords=world+war+ii+radio+heroes

This book will make a great read and gift for your friends and family who enjoy history, military history, particularly WWII, and those who simply love a true story that makes you feel good.

I want to thank you for your patience. This was no easy task. All of the images made the conversion very challenging for Dave. He hung in there and I am so appreciative. My eyes are crossed from so much review over the last 3 months. :)

Thank you for your support.

World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion SECOND EDITION IS NOW AVAILABLE!

Hello dear friends.

The time has finally come. The second edition of World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion (2013) has been published! As of yesterday, Ingram, my distributor released the title (book speak for "It's available") to book sellers (like Amazon). Now, each book seller is independent and will go at their own pace at listing it and making it directly available to you. So, that said, ask your book seller to look for it by title, author and ISBN:

 

World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion SECOND EDITION (2013), Lisa Spahr & Austin Camacho,  ISBN  978-0-9891914-0-1

 

Make sure it is not the first edition, which my publisher will take out of print/availability in the coming week. And, don't worry if they say they can't find it... that may be the case for a few weeks. Just keep asking, politely of course. :) Rest assured it is listed with Ingram and your book seller will have access to it, double-check the ISBN and ask again in a week.

 

The list price is $19.95 and it's more than 200 pages! I sure hope you love it. And, please help us spread the word and by all means, post a review on Amazon or elsewhere.

 

Thank you for your support. This wouldn't have been possible without such positive feedback from the first edition and your encouragement over the years. Thank you.

 

Lisa (and the entire cast of characters that made this happen)

Reviews Wanted!

Hello friends!

I am so excited to be weeks away from the Second Edition of World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion debut. We're expecting it to be out for Memorial Day 2013.

I am looking for 10 reviewers who can review the book in high-profile publications, outlets, etc... (more than one preferably) within 15 days of receiving it (expected arrival May 1st or so). Is that you? If so, email me and let me know where you could publish a review (or a list of places). Those 10 reviewers selected will receive a complimentary copy of the book as soon as I get them!

Help me spread the word about this great story!

All the best to  you- and as always, thank you for your support!

Lisa
www.powletters.com