Memorial Day 2008

I had the distinct honor of being on The American Entrepreneur Radio Show this past weekend for their Memorial Day Program. Ron Morris and Darryl Grandy were phenomenal hosts.

Ron interviewed me for about an hour on World War II Radio Heroes: Letter of Compassion. The interview can be found here www.taeradio.com

I am delighted to have the opportunity to thank the men and women who serve our country in all capacities each day. I am sorrow filled to think of all those we have lost along the way. I try to remind myself each day of the ultimate sacrifice of so many, so that I may live the life of my dreams in a land I love so much. Thank you to all of our service personnel and their families. We are indebted to you.

Happy Memorial Day- every day.

June 14th- Flag Day. Where will you be?

Flag Day is a significant day to many Americans. Unfortunately, some people are oblivious to what it means, when it is and what its for. I urge you to share the message with your friends, families and neighbors.

My education on the Flag began back in grade school. Our class would say the Pledge of Allegiance each morning with our hands over our hearts. In history class we learned about the addition of stars on our Flag over time.

When I went to work for The American Legion in Washington DC in 1998, my education on our Flag was enhanced even further. I learned that the Flag should be illuminated if you fly it at night or else it should be brought indoors. I learned that the Flag should not touch the ground. I also learned that it should be retired in an appropriate way, never thrown away.

Buying a flag pole and flying a Flag was an exciting part of owning my own home. I took great pride in my expression of honor for my country, our service men and women and the history of our Flag.

I take even greater honor as I prepare for Flag Day 2008 and the awesome ceremony that will occur at South Park (Pittsburgh, PA) as we retire dozens of our country's Flags that have flown all over the world in one of the only public ceremonies available. I have sat on the Committee preparing for this event for several months now. The other Committee members have been involved for years in building this event to what it has become. People from all walks of life will join together to honor the Flag. Media and politicians will take their place to be a part of the gathering too. We have singers and dignitaries coming in from all over the country.

I invite you to join us as we respectfully retire some of our nation's Flags. The event is June 14th, a Saturday, at South Park (Pittsburgh PA) at 6 PM.

Consider what the Flag means to you. When and how did you learn about it? Quiz others (in a friendly manner) and see what they think of Flag Day. Use this as an educational opportunity and a way to connect with others.

Feel free to email me for more information: author@powletters.com

Coaching For Writers- at the MWA

Wow. I've just returned from an energy filled weekend of fun AND education. I was a speaker at the Maryland Writer's Association Annual Conference.

I made an entire weekend of it. As I had lived in the DC Metropolitan area for several years, I decided to stay in Baltimore one night and then Annandale (VA) the next. I reconnected with some of my dearest friends, Austin and Denise Camacho at the conference, and Rebecca Neuburger and Michelle Lanier at their cool new home in Mt. Pleasant (DC). I also met dozens of new friends, all budding or accomplished writers who attended the conference.

I spoke to a standing room only crowd at my session titled, "Coaching for Writers: What keeps you up at night?" We began the session networking (something that many authors find REALLY hard to do) and then launched into identifying challenges AND resolutions to writing- and FINISHING your writing projects.

I must confess, this was one of the best talks that I've been a part of all year. Really. The audience participation and candor was tops. The energy to learn more, do better and achieve was awesome! I am guessing this session will become one of my greatest contributions to the writing world- outside of my own book World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion.

Thanks Austin, Denise, Ann Arbaugh (President of MWA)... you guys put on a great show.

Off to see a client.....
Lisa
Author, Speaker and Coach

Thank you Radio Operators, Listeners and Fans!

Wow.

This year has been a whirlwind one. They say that writing the book is 1/3 of the work. The real hard work comes in promoting it. Boy, were they right!

However, hard work does pay off. Not only have I had some really fulfilling book discussions this month but I've also been featured in two national magazines. Yes, TWO national magazines.

Both were cold calls. (Entrepreneurs will find that really exciting.)

The first is the Amateur Radio Relay League's QST Magazine. They were kind enough to review WWII Radio Heroes in their April 2008 edition. Humbly, they reminded me it was a small review. I braced myself. It was a huge (okay, so it was 1/4 page- I believe that is huge)! Thank you ARRL! I'm really looking forward to going to my first radio conference- Beltsville, MD June 5-7.

The second is America in WWII magazine. WWII Radio Heroes was one of three books featured in their review section, due out in June 2008. We received nearly a whole page of review! I was beside myself. This was a real honor.

What's next? I'll tell you- The American Entrepreneur Show on AM 1360 Pittsburgh with Ron Morris! The fun never stops!

Stay tuned. :)

My Most Enlightened Talk To Date

Last week I had the privilege to talk to the World War II Prisoner of War Survivor's Group at the VA on Highland Drive (for our Pittsburgh readers). There were about 50 survivors and their family members gathered in a room at the VA dedicated to them and their comrades who are no longer with us. This was a very well established group who meets once a month for updates, to share time together and to hear a speaker. This month I was that honored individual- and the honor was all mine.

I am used to talking with people who know "a little something" about World War II. I am used to also talking with people who know very little- especially about my topic- POW monitoring or the use of short-wave radios to hear and share messages of our POWs. But, this group was entirely different for me. I only hoped I could keep their attention- after all, they know everything I was about to share with them. They are... my grandfather- the amazing man that I lost at the age of 11. They were the prisoners. The postcards and letters that radio listeners were writing were about them. I was merely one who stumbled upon my families letters two years ago and decided to write a book about it. This was fairly new to me. But, to them, this was history- a very personal part of their own history.

I've been around veterans long enough to know my role. I was there to share what I could with them, as a grand-daughter of a POW, about my book... but I was there first and foremost to thank them for their service- and thank their family members for their support of our nations veterans. Then, the most exciting part for me came... I was to listen. Listen to all that they wanted to share with me- the author.

These men were beyond kind to me in their attentiveness and appreciation for how lovingly I spoke of my hero- my grandfather. They cautioned me that as I read letters from him to and from family members, namely his girlfriend (my grandmother-to-be), that I be aware that letters were censored. I shouldn't just read what was on the paper, but between the lines. I should know that alot couldn't be said that was desperate to be. Also, I couldn't believe that all was well even if my grandfather said it was. After all, if the Germans didn't like what you wrote it was thrown away before it could ever be mailed.

The former prisoners also were interested. Where was my grandfather's prison camp? Which Stalag? They gave me a few leads as to where I could post information to find anyone who might have known him. They were part historian and part detective. They were what makes our veterans so special.

I am honored to have been a small part of their gathering. I am honored that I was able to say thank you.

Veterans History Project

How many of you know about the Veterans History Project?

I am constantly meeting people who say that they've thrown away war letters, uniforms and other memorabilia because they didn't know what else to do with it. As generations pass these items become lost to a box in the basement, attic or, most sadly, the garbage.

Well, the Veterans History Project, a program by the Library of Congress, is interested in many of the collections and other items that you may find in boxes, attics or at yard sales.

Their website is very informative about what they accept and what they don't. Visit http://www.loc.gov/vets/ for more information.

I am planning to send 10 letters from my POW-relay collection to the Veterans History Project to ensure preservation of the materials far beyond my years. Join me in preserving our veterans history.

Putting life in perspective!

Book signings are not the fanfare that you'd expect them to be. For small-time authors like myself there are no lines of fans waiting anxiously as you enter the store. There is no applause. No cramping in the hands from constantly writing a note in books being taken home by wide-eyed readers.

There is usually a coffee involved. And, some nice book store staff to converse with over the course of 2-4 hours. And, there is always my favorite activity- people watching. After all, I'm a psychologist. I love to observe behavior. And, my years of customer service are revisited as I yell out "Hello! How are you today?" as someone comes into the store.

Now that I have a dozen or so signings under my belt I've decided that documenting the people I meet would make for an interesting read. Perhaps even another book someday!

There are the young people that come to my table for the candy- and I get to tell them a little bit about WWII and/or preserving old letters in their families.

There are the widows who spend at least 15 minutes with me reminiscing about their service-oriented husbands, brothers and fathers. One person I met this week was the child of a WW ONE vet! How fascinating! The stories are endless.

There are the bored and tired that just stop off at my table for a breather- and someone to talk to- about anything. Sure, they try to take interest in the subject but often fall short.

There are the ham radio aficionados who are drawn to the table because of the word "Radio" in the title. They always teach me a thing or two.

There are those who want to be more in touch with what their families went through during WWII because they were too young to really understand it all. They almost always purchase a book with eagerness to read and absorb it for all that they can.

But, the one man who has stood out during all of this was the man who patiently talked with me for about 10 minutes about WWII, a war he served in proudly. After a while he mentioned that his "buddy" had brought him out to get him out of the house for the day. He then paused. Tears welled up in his eyes and he told me about loosing his wife of 60+ years the week before. He was lost without her. He didn't know what to do with himself. He apologized to me for tearing up and for dampening my "big day".

I should have thanked him for reminding me what life is all about. The important pieces. He helped to put my "big day" of book signing in perspective. My life isn't about my book or my few hours spent at a signing to share my book. Its about the relationships we have with people- those we love. Although this book is about them in many ways and shared an amazing story of helping each other- I, the author, have to keep perspective on my own relationships to those I love. After all, we are not guaranteed a tomorrow.

Here's to the book store visitors everywhere! You never know how you may touch someone.
Cheers.