Chapter 40 - "Gibbon's Secrets - World War II Time Line 1944

I am going to share a few of the highlights from Reg's Scrapbook - 1944

August 24th, 1944 - Allied forces capture Bordeaux France

August 25th 1944 - The liberation of Paris, by Free French, United States, and British forces happened today.  General Jacques LeClerc accepts the German surrender.

August 26th 1944 - "The Great Liberation Parade" in Paris, led by armored vehicles under the Arc de Triumph.

August 31st 1944 - American forces reach the old French "Maginot Line".

August 31st 1944 - The US Task Force 39 executes raids on Iwo Jima and the Boninei Islands, the West Carolinian, the Plau Islands, Mindanano and the Philippines.

As you can see from the above listing for the last week of August in 1944 - the Allied forces were making positive inroads.  History is so important for us to remember and therefore please share these events with friends and family.  We want to keep alive these memories of World War II to show how important it was for the world.  We should always be proud of our American Heritage and never apologize for these actions. 

How many of you take your Health for granted?

Our health, excuse the expression, sometimes isn't important enough until we have a health problem.  It is a very fragile thing, "Our Health", and we really get serious when ourselves or our loved ones have a problem.  I was required to take my wife Pat to the hospital recently because of two weeks of continued diarrhea sapping her strength, taking away her potassium and fluid levels, and causing a quick loss of 5 pounds.  Pat is a small lady so she really didn't have the extra weight to loose.  When your fluid levels are depleted, your strength levels fall quite rapidly.

We checked her into the hospital, they started the fluids and potassium flowing through an IV, and wouldn't you know - her strength levels rapidly started back.  We need to be ready to turn our problems over to the Lord, rather than stewing about them.  He can direct the doctors to give us the treatments we need, and help our bodies to cope with whatever the problems are.  Why do we hesitate?  Human nature I guess.

Anyway, thank goodness, she is back home and now resting comfortably.  If you remember the last time you were in the hospital - the night noises can keep you from getting the proper rest.  We need to just get well enough to go home so you can catch up on the sleep we lost when we were sick, plus the night noises at the hospital.

All I'm really saying tonight is - Thank you Lord - and rest easy Pat.

Remember, don't take your health for granted.

Gibbon's Secrets - Ch 42 - World War II Time Line 1945

1945's Time Line of history, found as Chapter Forty Two in "Gibbon's Secrets".

From December 7th 1941 'till September 3nd 1945, which is just short of four years, the United States had been involved in World War II.  This won't be the end; occupation forces will be maintained, help to re-build the nations will be brought about, and the war trials will be held.  Unfortunately, this will not stop all evil in the world.  The United States will do its part to rebuild the nations of the world through aid and support programs, but... Again, unfortunately, this also will be forgotten by the same nations that we helped, and evil will still remain in the world.

Individual families that experienced World War II in their home towns will remember the sacrifices they went through, and their many contributions toward the war effort.  They will remember the ordinary patriots.

I dedicated my book "Gibbon's Secrets" to all of these ordinary patriots.  So much was accomplished in those four years - please remember and honor all of our vets!

Picture taken in front of our Grand Island townhouse

Never forget this image taken on September 11th - pieces from one of the planes that hit the tower went through the roof of the building where the Muslims want to build their mosque. 

USS Harry S. Truman CVN 75 - Another grand ship.

USS Harry S. Truman CVN 75

Leaving for deployment

100811-N-6362C-043 USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, Arabian Sea (Aug. 11, 2010) - An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 launches from the flight deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). VFA 105 is deployed as part of Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Tyler Caswell/Released)

August 13th 1955 - Grand Island Nebraska

RG Bud Phelps & Pat L Kelly were married at the Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Island Nebraska .  Seventy one people were in attendance for this 1st wedding ceremony in the Chapel.   Pat's family in attendance: her Father Lloyd, her Mother Vera, her Brother Bill and his wife Marge, her Brother Jim and his wife Angie, plus the children of her two brothers along with Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  Bud's family in attendance: his Father Reg, his Mother Addie, his Sister Jean and her husband Ken, along with some of Bud's Curtis and Grand Island friends.  Jerry Carney, Bud's friend that introduced Pat to him, had served with Bud in the Navy.

The reception was at the Gold Room in the Yancy Hotel - downtown Grand Island - and was attended by 250 to 300 people.  It was a very nice reception but somewhat of a blur 55 years ago tomorrow.  I do remember highlights of the reception line and the brother-in-laws pouring the champaign to the crowd with Lloyd trying to slow them down a bit.  The entire thing was a big deal to this country boy.

I have been blessed with Pat over these 55 years, along with the blessing of three daughters; Bridget, Shauna, and Wendy.  The grandchildren started with Bridget's children; Kelly first and then Cory.  Next Shauna's daughter Kalyn and finally Wendy & Mike's son Andrew.

The 55 years have flown by and how could anyone not say they were blessed when they look at this family!

"Man The Rails"

Sailors and Marines man the rails aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) as the ship arrives in Pearl Harbor for a scheduled port visit.


Isn't that a beautiful sight to see!  It makes me proud that they chose the name of this powerful carrier from the name of a president we all will remember.

Chapter 19 - Gibbon's Secrets - December 1941

     The radio was on, with a low pleasant sound of music in the background, when the song was interrupted with a news flash.  "It was just reported that Japan has delivered simultaneous bombing attacks on Pearl Harbor, the Philippines, Wake Island, and Guam.  Japanese forces have invaded Malaya and Thailand, seizing Shanghai, and declaring war on the United States and Great Britain"


     Everyone was in shock! Dale immediately contacted the Naval Headquarters in California, and was ordered to return at once. Bud said, "I want you to know that you are my hero, and I will think of you every day.  I promise that when I'm old enough I'm going to join the Navy, too."  "Thanks  Bud, I'd like you to do me a favor while I'm gone.  I want you to be my pen-pal, and keep me posted on what's happening here at home.  Will you do that for me?"  Dale said.
       "You bet!  I promise to write you every week, and probably my buddies will add little notes, too."  said Bud.


Like I said on the previous posting - I will honor the US Navy for the rest of my life.  


When we visited Winnipeg Canada in June, I purchased a silver coin honoring the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy - from the Canadian Mint.


See - I'm hooked on the Navy!!!    

Pledge made by a nine year old

As you will note by reading about that infamous Sunday - December 7th 1941 - in my book "Gibbon's Secrets"; a nine year old boy (soon to be 10 on January 31, 1942) made a pledge to a sailor that was home on leave in Gibbon Nebraska, when his ship was sunk at Pearl Harbor.  I told my hero Dale that when I grew up I would join the Navy to honor him, and did in March 1951 - serving four years.  I have loved the US Navy ever since that day and will continue to honor her by the pictorial inserts you see me place on this blog from time to time.

I am especially proud of the aircraft carriers and planes that fly off of and land on them because I served aboard the USS Valley Forge (a proud carrier that served us well during the Korean Conflict.

The above smaller pictures are of me and some of the friends that served with me in the Navy (the two on the left are of that "salty dog" - ME).  The center picture is of the swimming pool at GTMO Cuba in 1953 with the USS Valley Forge in the background.  I think the skinny young man closest to the rail in the center of the picture was me (my hair is about the short today).

A Destroyer Escort coming along side the Valley Forge for re-fueling.

Well now you know why I like to share the Navy pictures with you here on my blog - hopefully you enjoy them too.

Just a little wind in their sails ;)

 Quartermasters lower signal flags during an emergency breakaway drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).