Wartime radio operator recognised ... from the BBC

"A radio operator from Greater Manchester, who helped unlock German coded messages during World War II, has been recognised for his efforts.
Albert Garforth, 83, of Foxdenton Lane, Middleton Junction, spent the last year of the war helping the code-breakers at Bletchley Park unlock the Enigma code.
Their work meant the Allies gained vital information about German troop movements, securing victory in 1945.
Mr Garforth has received a Bletchley Park Commemorative Badge."

To read the rest of the BBC article visit http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/manchester/8296953.stm

The Veterans History Project

Moving the past from its isolation in hidden war trunks and unspoken stories to the forefront of our attention is exactly what Lisa Spahr did in her book World War II Radio Heroes: Letters of Compassion and precisely what the Veteran’s History Project is trying to do. In order to preserve the history beyond textbook-bare outlines, veterans from conflicts ranging from World War I to the Persian Gulf Wars are telling their personal achievements and stories. This project is the nation’s largest oral history undertaking. However, it is able to reach an even larger audience through court reporters who transcribe the interviews at lightning speed. Court reporters are expensive but some have become so taken with the documentation of history and the personal stories of the veterans that they have either volunteered or sought out family members to interview. Like Sphar, these men and women are creating a cultural repository for our generations and those to come. Many veterans do not even speak to their families about their times in war, but this work will memorialize the personal traumas and highlights that are the foundations of human existence. To listen to a veteran’s personal story of a battle can much more deeply ingrain history into people, more so than sometimes dry textbooks at least.

With this ambitious endeavor, our nation’s history through the multiplicity of voices is being told because we should not be a place with merely one story but one of many. While these voices are being heard, we can only hope that those that aren’t may soon be. For more information on the project and to listen to interviews, please visit: http://www.loc.gov/vets.

Join me Saturday December 5th at Heinz History Center

We had a great time last year. And, we're delighted they've invited us back. We'll be at the Heinz History Author Fair this Saturday, December 5th, from 10 AM until 2 PM. The event is free and open to the public. More than 40 authors will be on hand. It makes a great time to purchase a few books for gifts and any reader will enjoy the vast array of subjects.

Hope to see you there.

Military Connections- One Woman on a Mission

After discovering her brother had joined the marines in the wake of 9/11, Summer Tissue crumbled. She couldn’t believe he’d be leaving her, but eventually, as his letters came, she transformed her grief into something productive. She began to send letters and pack boxes with things he had requested and trinkets of her affection and America. One day, her brother responded to her gifts by asking her to please send to his friend who had received nothing at all. Moved, she began what has become Military Connections, a national non-profit organization. Summer Tissue works a full-time job yet still has managed to send over two million boxes to deployed soldiers throughout the last five years. Her brother is home now but she continues to send things like wet-wipes and Girl Scout Cookies and plans to do so until all of the soldiers are back home. Last year, she was even able to send Terrible Towels; although, she did worry about offending any Cleveland Browns fans.

Summer was able to create an enduring organization but she relies on the generosity of others. If you’d like to donate time, money, or would simply like to learn more, please check out her website http://www.militaryconnections.org/.

We've teamed up with Summer and Miltary Connections! With any purchase, you can send a book to someone serving for only $5. We'll ensure Summer gets the book and a note from you for the service member. We thank you for your continued support. Now, let's thank them.

What a Week!

Wow! We are coming off of one of our busiest weeks of the year.

Last week we toured the Pittsburgh area visiting with Redstone Highlands in North Huntingdon, Seneca Manor in Verona, the hosts of Word FM and KDKA Today Live, and began our journey to Bethlehem PA.

In Bethlehem we visited with the residents of Country Meadows and then had a sold-out book signing at the Moravian Book Shop, the oldest book shop in the country. We met up with our family and celebrated Thanksgiving early. It was a wonderful trip. On our way back, we stopped to pay our respects at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.

Now, we’re back to our busy lives in Pittsburgh. I’m hosting the Champions Conference call next week, on goal setting and achievement. Guests can join us for $20 live or listen to the recording at their leisure. We’re also preparing to close 2009 with a few more book talks, the release of our new book: The Coach’s Guide to Wedding Planning, and prepare for 2010. We expect it to be another great year with new milestones!

Watch the Author Interview on KDKA Pittsburgh Today Live

Celebrating Veterans Day this week, I was honored to be on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live show. View the show segment here: http://kdka.com/video/?id=65063@kdka.dayport.com

Veterans Day Author Interview on KDKA Television 9AM

Please join me on KDKA's Pittsburgh Today Live at 9 AM on Channel 2 in the burgh or online. I'll be featuring Flavius' Howard 430 radio from 1943- the actual one that he used to listen for my grandfather and other POWs. http://kdka.com/ptl If you miss the live show click on the link to watch it later.

Happy Veterans Day to you all.