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

The POW/MIA Table

Hello friends.
I had the honor to attend a recent event that celebrated veterans and their families. The attention to detail was impeccable. The exhibits were museum quality and the volunteers that put it all together couldn't have been more passionate. The room was filled with memorabilia and artifacts. It included the POW/MIA table which I want to introduce you to- in the event you have not seen it or understood the elements involved.

The table is round to show our everlasting concern for our missing men and women.

 

The tablecloth is white- symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

 

The single red rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the life of each of the missing and their loved ones and friends, who keep the faith while awaiting answers.

 

The vase is tied with a red ribbon- a symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

 

A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured.

 

There is also salt on the bread plate- symbolic of the tears of the families, as they wait.

 

The glass is inverted to symbolize their inability to share this evenings toast.

 

The chair is empty. They are missing and missed.

May I suggest that we each include one or more elements listed here, or create our own, to honor our veterans at our own family table, especially at the holiday time but everyday is welcome as well. Thank you to each and everyone of you who have served. And, thank you to your families as well.

Messages from a Prisoner of War by Craig Henderson

I am so excited to share this link, photo and bit of news with you! I was approached by Craig Henderson some time ago, for a radio documentary he was doing with Mona Thornton. (Both Craig and Mona are pictured above.) He was featuring Mona's father's letters and records that he kept from WWII, which alerted her mother that he was a POW. His documentary is complete and can be found at: http://www.peachcityradio.org/programs/community/messagesFromAPOW.php

I will include this information in the second edition of World War II Radio Heroes, which will debut by Memorial Day 2013 at the latest!

I'm honored to have been a part of this. I'm thrilled that it will help us keep sharing this wonderful message with audiences around the globe. And, I'm thankful to Craig and Mona for their work and dedication.

Let me know what you think of the documentary.

Student Project Anyone?

I am looking for a bright and eager college or grad student who may want to use my Pow Message Relay, WWII, letters and related collection for a student project/thesis or dissertation. In exchange, and in addition to full access to all that I have, I would ask that they help me organize the materials more effectively and perhaps prepare the materials for ease of electronic sharing- for others to use/see. Private Message me if you want more information or know of someone. Thanks.

Springfield IL March 2, 2013

With great pleasure I announce a program on World War II Radio Heroes will take place March 2, 2013 in Springfield IL at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10302. Sponsored by: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10302 and the Sangamon County Radio Club W9DUA.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

Lisa Spahr, Author of “WW2 Radio Heroes – Letters of Compassion”

 The title of Lisa’s Program is “Radio Heroes – Letters of Compassion” - the Author’s Story.  This program will bring history to life, while also relating a touching human interest story that spans generations. For more information regarding the author and links to Radio Heroes interviews, please see the page below. .

 Where:    Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10302

                 2349 Stockyard Rd

                 Springfield Illinois, 62702

                 Phone: 789-4725

 When:    Saturday, March 2^nd, 2013  7:00 pm 8:30 pm

 Schedule: “Meet the Author” - 6:30 pm -  7:00 pm

                 Program: “Radio Heroes - Letters of Compassion” – 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

The program is provided as public service at no cost by the sponsoring organizations.

Directions:  From I55, take Sangamon Avenue Exit (100B) to Sangamon Avenue.   Proceed on Sangamon Avenue to Stockyard Road ,  Turn right on Stockyard Road, and proceed about 1000 feet (past the grain elevators).  The VFW will be on your left, parking on the right.   http://www.vfwpost10302.com/directions.php

 
An interesting link to a radio of the era:

http://n7rk.com/howard.htm

 
For additional  information, call 217.628.3697 or email  ed@efgaffney.com

 

23 Names Added to POW Message Relay!

As I am knee-deep in reading, writing, scanning and editing for the 2nd edition of the book, I was overwhelmed to find another list of POW monitors that I had not yet known. This list was found thanks to the copious amount of materials sent to me by T/Sgt. Heer, himself a former POW held by the Japanese who discovered the letters sent to his family. In his research he found a Coshocton Tribune article noting the letters received by the Shurtz family. The article listed each letter and postcard author! Here they are (apologies for formatting chaos, I had to get back to the book!):

Last Name	First Name	City/Town	State
Landis	Paul	Lancaster	Pennsylvania
Smetzer	Mrs. Olive	Bakersfield	California
Hagedorn	Mrs. Carl	Everett	Washington
O’Connor	Miss. Frann	Binghamton	New York
Fortier	Lt. B.D.	Kingman	Arizona
Ferguson	Clifford	Berwick	Maine
Workman	Mrs. W.	Burlingame	California
Gates	Mrs. Clyde	Lansing	Michigan
Zarback	Mrs. Evelyn	Tacoma	Washington
Umbriaco	Mike	Denver	Colorado
Myers	Mrs. Violet	Albuquerque	New Mexico
Neale	D.H.	Toronto	Canada
Gallagher	G.C.	San Francisco	California
Self	Roy H.	Roy	New Mexico
Medsker	Mrs. Louis	Boise	Idaho
Hart	Mrs. R.R.	Harley	Idaho
Dept. Electrical Eng.	Univ. N.M.	Albuquerque	New Mexico
Wright	Mrs. C.E.	Scotia	California
Branson	Stanley	Corvallis	Oregon
Wagner	Jesse D.	Medford	Oregon
South	B.O.	San Francisco	California
Hollarn	Mrs. G.L.	Santa Cruz	California
Snook	Mrs. I.J.	Pogosa Springs	Colorado