Reach Out to an American Hero Today!

I was delivering a luncheon keynote recently to distinguished group of women in Upper St. Clair, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. One participant was delighted to share this website with me after my talk. It is a website where you can be matched up with a service member to share emails and letters. The website serves as a pseudo pen-pal matchmaker. I love the idea!

So, don't hesitate to check out www.AnySoldier.com and locate a deserving hero who would like to hear from you, your children's school, your organization, etc...

Let's keep in mind what a kind word from a stranger can do for someone who is serving our country in various capacities.

World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion is all about ordinary citizens reaching out to those in need during a difficult time in our history. Let's continue in that tradition by thanking and befriending our heroes today.

Bottom line: Let's show some love.

You'll be proud of yourself for doing so.

Mr. President, I am Disappointed.

From Left: Rebecca Neuburger; Michelle Lanier; Joy Ilem; and Lisa Spahr. The Salute to Heroes Ball, January 20, 2009, Washington DC.

I was honored to attend the Salute to Heroes Inaugural Ball in Washington DC. The Salute to Heroes Ball honors those who have received the Congressional Medal of Honor- the highest military honor you can receive. We had 48 of the living 99 Medal of Honor recipients present. It was an awesome feeling to be in the same room with them.

I attended this ball four years ago for George W. Bush's Inaugural also.

The President and Vice President (and their respective spouses) have attended the Salute to Heroes Ball since the 1950's. They usually stop by for 10-20 minutes and share their respect for this honorable group.

Not this time. President Obama and First Lady Michelle did not arrive at the Salute to Heroes Ball. We did receive a visit from Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill.

I was terribly disappointed at President Obama for missing this opportunity to show his appreciation for our heroes. I believe he had a responsibility to be there, particularly at a time when our country is at war.

If you'd like to learn more about our Medal of Honor Recipients visit: http://www.cmohs.org/recipients.htm

Let's show them our appreciation. And, I will hope that the President does the same.

Pittsburgh Magazine Reviews WWII Radio Heroes!

I just got it in the mail yesterday! Pittsburgh Magazine's January Edition has several book reviews. World War II Radio Heroes is one of them!

I want to thank Stephen Knezovich for his thoughtful review.

I am unsure if this review will appear on the website or just in print. The website is http://www.wqed.org/mag/index.php

If you are in or near Pittsburgh the magazine should be widely available. I subscribe to it, and have for years, because it always features some very interesting articles and things to do in the burgh.

I continue to be very appreciative of the positive attention we're getting with this book. Thanks to all!

Lisa

The Lincoln Highway Connection to WWII Radio Heroes

I first met Brian Butko in the summer at the Bridgewater Book Festival. He is the author of a half dozen books, the editor for the Western Pennsylvania History Magazine, and an all around cool guy. He has great interest in history of course, but his areas of interest are more obscure than most historians. He writes about the roadside landmarks you remember as a kid, the places and faces that we love but often take for granted.. until there gone that is.

Brian and I kept in touch over the months and he volunteered himself and his son, Andrew, to read for World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion (2008). Andrew was our youngest reader and read for our most prominent hero in the book, Flavius Jankauskas (who wrote to my family in 1943 as a 16 year old short-wave listener).

Brian and I most recently came together again at the Heinz History Center's Holiday Book Fair. It was perfect timing for me to give him his copy of our work- the audio book was completed a week prior.

I'm privileged to know Brian Butko. He's a very fascinating man with great stories- and road trips to tell you about.

Check out his site and latest book here: http://www.lincolnhighwaynews.com/ Take a stroll down memory lane.

After hearing Brian talk about the Lincoln Highway, which I drive frequently, I look at it differently. I'm eager for the spring so I can take a road trip of my own!

Giving Back for the Holidays

When you are making out your holiday card list this year, please include the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue,NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Many thanks.
Lisa

Today and Everyday We Thank You!

Thank you to all of our veterans, their families and support systems! On Veterans Day, and everyday, I wish to send our most heart-felt thank you to those who served and those who serve- in all capacities.

You are our everyday heroes! We salute you!

Happy Veteran's Day 2008!

Lisa Spahr
and Family

Review in CQ Magazine!

Hello everyone!

I am delighted to share CQ Magazine has featured World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion (2008) in their Review Section this month!

Thank you Bob Josuweit, Editor of Public Service for CQ!

Check out CQ at http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com/

Happy reading!

Lisa