web stats analysis

Saturday, June 30, 2012

Old Glory



        It was January 1942, and five boys headed up the stairs to the haymow in the big red barn.  Snuggling down in the hay, the boys looked at each other, wondering who was going to start.  The cold wind whistled around the big door where the hay was lifted into the barn, causing them to snuggle deeper in the hay.

            After what seemed to be forever, Bud said, “We have to make something happen here in Gibbon to help the people show total support for our guys and gals in the service.  We have our own hero, my neighbor’s son, Dale Pitke, but we need something that would bring out “Patriotism” in individuals.

            Duncan stood up real excited and said, “How about rounding up some small American flags, and then march around our neighborhood showing support for our country”

            Donny jumped up and said, “That’s a great idea, Duncan!  Maybe we could also suggest that everyone fly an American flag in front of their homes!”

            These ideas fostered an idea called “The Flag Project” in a small town, in the middle of the country, at the start of World War II.  Five young boys inspired the small town of Gibbon to display their “Patriotism” through the flying of “Old Glory” in front of their homes; and by marching around this small town of under one thousand people with their small flags. 

It may sound like a small thing, but these young Patriots were effective.

This story can be found in "Gibbon's Secrets", budsbooks.com, and you can buy your signed copy of the book by ordering it Direct from the web site utilizing PayPal.  Please make sure to request a signed copy.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

“Gibbon’s Secrets” – Information & Background

“Gibbon’s Secrets” – Information

Many of the incidences and individual characters in this story reflect the time frame of the 1940’s; so I am classifying it as a Historical Fiction novel.  Some of the names may have been purposely changed or added to the story to complete the fictional picture.
With the “Great Depression” nearing its end, and the war in Europe appearing to be getting stronger; the small town of Gibbon, in the middle of Nebraska, acquired a look of change.  The story is developed around various individuals living in this small town and how they reacted on the “Home Front” during World War II.  Even though the war was far across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, it impacted the everyday routines in Gibbon.  Newspapers and radios added to this war influence through pictures and stories which in turn were  added to Bud’s dad’s scrap books, and will appear as a “Time Line” of World War II battles and happenings at the end of each year in the story. 
I am sharing my memories about growing up during the 1940’s and have included many of the everyday happenings of how it was back then in this small town in the middle of Nebraska.


“Gibbon’s Secrets” – Background

The story starts with Bud lying under a large elm tree with a full and showy form, turning the puffy clouds into animals or ships to pass the time of day, when he falls asleep.  Suddenly, he feels a sharp pain in his foot and cringes in fright when a ruggedly built man kicks him again.  The man, towering above him, is blonde, tall, and wide of shoulders.  He has arms like slabs of ham, and he has steely-blue eyes.  He reaches down to pick up Bud, who quickly rolls over and runs out of the park, across the street to his home…  This is the start of Bud’s experience with the Stranger.

The above is an example of the fictional happenings that occur in Bud’s life during the 1940’s.  You will read about typical boyhood adventures during this very important time in our United States history.  Spy’s, Boy’s playing in the “Big Red Barn”, fishing at Wood River, playing war games in the park across the street from Bud’s home (Gibbon Commandos), grade school plays, the “Flag Project”, “Scrap Drives” to help the war effort, Saving Stamps saved to buy War Bonds, Rationing (gasoline, sugar, etc), boy’s “Patriotism”, role model in the form of a Nebraska Highway Patrolman, family gatherings (Birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and special occasions), are all the types of happenings and events you will be reading about in “Gibbon’s Secrets”.

In addition to the stories of “Gibbon’s Secrets” I have included the personal memories of Frank Chambers about his World War II service during the “Battle of the Bulge”.  This Postscript will contain letters to his brother Jim relative to his training while in the states, and then a Journal written by Frank developed during the “Battle of the Bulge.”  Frank served our country well, and I am proud that I can record his letters and journal as a part of my book.  Frank is an example of one of our “Ordinary Patriots,” doing his part in World War II.

Please read “Gibbon’s Secrets” and take this fictional trip back to the 40’s in this small town of Gibbon, Nebraska.  My goal is to record these bits of history for our children and grandchildren as well as the reader’s children and grandchildren even though they are Historical Fiction.  Enjoy!!

Purchase Bud's Books Direct - http://www.budsbooks.com/books-2/


Thursday, June 7, 2012

Gibbon's Secrets kindle book FREE June 8 - June 9

My book, Gibbon's Secrets, A Boy's Memories of the 40's, is now available as a kindle book on Amazon.  The link is, http://amzn.to/KQpWaV

Gibbon's Secrets: A Boy's Memories of the 40's

 "Gibbon's Secrets" is a story about 'A Boy's Memories of the 40's'. 
In the story I am sharing some of the true incidences that happened to me and my four friends as we were growing up in the small town of Gibbon Nebraska. I have classified the story as fictional to give me the opening to expand my memories a bit and to add some fictional happenings to bring out the possibilities of growing up with World War II in the background. 


My father, Reg Phelps, left me several scrap books containing the headlines and pictures from local newspapers about World War II. I have developed a time line of highlights from the battles for each year in the book starting in 1940 and ending in 1945. 


I am Bud, the main character in the book, and you will be able to pick me out of the cover picture as the boy the 5th from the left with a jaunty straw hat. Other pictures I have included in the back of the book were actual photographs of houses and places featured in the book. 


As an added feature I have included, as a Postscript, shared memories from Frank Chambers about his experience during the "Battle of the Bulge". 


My friend from Gibbon, Duncan McGregor, gave me copies of various elementary school programs which I have used as part of the story. As an example: On December 15 1941 the Gibbon Grade School presented their Christmas program that they had been working on well ahead of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th. The crowd of people in attendance for this "Christmas Carol Program" started the evening with heavy hearts, but left the auditorium with smiles on their faces. They were all thanking the Lord for the innocence of these Gibbon Grade School students, and the joy they brought to everyone this night. Read and enjoy my enhanced remembrance of the 40's.


Take advantage of this Free Book offer June 8th & June 9th.