Remember Pearl Harbor!
(Posted: December 7, 2014)Seventy-three years ago today at 7:55 AM on a quiet Sunday morning, America was thrust into WWII when Pearl Harbor was attacked! Approximately 2400 precious young lives were lost and over 1100 were injured in the blatant attack! It is “a date that will live in infamy.” We must never forget!
Rest in Peace, Joe O’Donnell
(Posted: September 24, 2014)I’m deeply saddened to say that my mentor, my hero and very special friend, Joe O’Donnell, passed away this morning, September 23, 2014. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Much of the content of this web site pertains to Sgt. Joseph P. O’Donnell and his “Shoe Leather Express” books.
http://www.remember-history.com/my-heroes/sgt-joseph-p-odonnell-pow-1414/
http://www.remember-history.com/category/the-shoe-leather-express-joseph-p-odonnell-pow1414/
May you Rest In Peace, Joe.
Remembering His Story With Hailey
(Posted: June 15, 2013)I love it…….when members of the younger generation express an interest in WWII history; … when you can see that a younger person gets it; … when it’s obvious that they realize that freedom isn’t free! I recently had the heartwarming experience of meeting 13-year-old Hailey Dunmire and her Mom. Hailey chose my book “What I Never Told You” for a report required in her class in school. Her Mom took the time to contact me via my web site and inquired if I could possibly meet Hailey and perhaps add to her project in “feeding her sense in this history.” I was delighted to meet them and give Hailey insight into my, and more importantly what I’ve learned of my Father’s experience. I took my Father’s original notebooks and talked about some of the pages. I commented on additional relevant facts and events that have come about since the book was published. I showed her a “souvenir” that I obtained from my Father’s crashed B-17 that was given to me after the book was published.
Hailey is a breath of fresh air and I wish more people her age would follow her lead and feel the same sense and values in our freedoms. I realize how easy it is to take it for granted when we’ve never lost it or had it threatened. It means so much to know that she understands and appreciates those who have served and are serving to maintain the level of freedom that our heroes in WWII fought for and won for us.
We enjoyed a meeting in a most appropriate place, Veteran’s Memorial Park, in Salamanca, NY. If you look closely at the photo, you will notice a memorial brick to the far left and three bricks down with my Father’s name, “John R. Kyler” inscribed. It couldn’t have been a more perfect venue for our meeting! When I showed Hailey and her Mom my Dad’s brick, I remembered that I obtained it for him several years ago for Father’s Day. I recalled how I had to ask my Father what branch he had been in and his service period, something I really should have known at that time. If only I had been like Hailey, I would have had more questions then and learned about my Father’s wartime experience from him rather than researching after his unexpected passing. I admire her awareness and curiosity ensuring that the price of freedom indeed lives on in the future generations.
D-Day as a POW in Stalag Luft VI
(Posted: June 6, 2013)Remembering Dad
(Posted: May 4, 2013)The excerpt from my journal describing that last day can be read at: http://www.remember-history.com/my-journal-the-endthe-beginning/
Joseph P. O’Donnell, POW 1414 Receives Award of Appreciation
(Posted: February 4, 2013)December 7, 1941: “A date that will live in infamy”
(Posted: December 7, 2012)Seventy-one years ago today at 7:55 AM on a quiet Sunday morning, America was thrust into WWII when Pearl Harbor was attacked! Approximately 2400 precious young lives were lost and over 1100 were injured in the blatant attack! It is “a date that will live in infamy.” We must never forget!
Facebook Page: What I Never Told You
(Posted: November 21, 2012)Follow me at this link on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WhatINeverToldYou?ref=hl
Honoring Those Who Serve: Patriot Ledger Article by Suzette Martinez Standring
(Posted: November 15, 2012)Please check out the following link:
What an honor to have my Father remembered in Suzette Martinez Standring’s column!
Remembering Dad & Crew on Veteran’s Day 2013
(Posted: November 11, 2012)I could not let the day pass without remembering my Father’s crew – The Cook Crew who I affectionately refer to as MY crew. . . . .
I have studied this photo and the names so many times that they are like family; they are a very special crew to me!
In the back row is: Thomas Mikulka, Tailgunner
John J. Alexander, Jr., Right Waist Gunner
Milo Blakely, Left Waist Gunner
Jay Joyce, Radio Operator
John Kyler (Dad) Ball Turret Gunner
John Booth, Top Turret Gunner/Flight Engineer
In the Front Row: Emmett Bell, Bombardier
Donald Caylor, Navigator
Robert Bangs, Co-Pilot
Lawrence Cook, Pilot