I felt it would be very appropriate to give you a little taste (excuse the expression) of how Thanksgiving 1941 was.
From Chapter 18 - Gibbon's Secrets -
Thanksgiving is more than just a day to have a big turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It is a special day that one can make known to one's family and friends the things most thankful for. So, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, the boys decided to meet at the Big Red Barn to share the things they were most thankful for this year. They had already shared their Thanksgiving for God's protection when they were following the stranger.
Bud said, "I'm most thankful for my four friends, and all of the good times we had together this year - especially the secrets that we shared." Donny said, "I'm most thankful for the stranger being caught. The thought of him still makes me shiver, with a chill that seems to run from my neck and all the way down my back." Duncan said, "I agree with Donny and Bud, I'm thankful we helped catch the stranger and also for my four friends, and like Bud said, I'm thankful for the secrets." Wally said, "I'm most thankful for the fun times we had fishing and camping this last summer. Being able to eat the fish you catch just can't be beat." Stanley said, "I'm most thankful that you guys are such special friends for me. You're always there when I need you most, and I'll never forget it."
The Phelps' family was now seated around a Thanksgiving table overflowing with a plentiful harvest of food, and they all had so many things to be thankful for this year. Reg said, "First, I would like Erskine to lead us in our Thanksgiving prayer, and after dinner I will ask each of you to share the most important things you are thankful for this year."
Erskine asked everyone around the table to hold hands, and said, "Heavenly Father, we have so many things to praise Thee and thank Thee for this year. It is difficult to choose just one. We did so vividly see the healing power of prayer by simply looking into Reg's face, and thank Thee for granting our prayers for this healing power. We hear of the many heroic acts performed to either protect, or actually save individuals in the many war-torn cities in Europe. We thank Thee for protecting Bud and his friends as they encountered the stranger that was in our midst. Now, we ask Thee to bless this food that is set before us. May we use it to nourish our bodies for more complete service to Thee?" Everyone at the table felt the strength of Erskine Claar's prayer, and in unison they all said, "Amen."
They spent the afternoon together sharing the things that they were most thankful for. Jean shared her joy of finding the Indian Spear Point. Bud shared the satisfaction of tracking the stranger, and learning the importance of highway safety, as well as the friendship of Jack Shaunesey. It had been such a busy and important year; beginning with the tragedy of Reg's accident, and his miraculous healing that was the most important single thing for the entire family.
Now here it is Thanksgiving 2010, and each of us should share all the things we are so thankful for this year. Thank God as He continues to bless our family, and I thank Him so very much for his protection and for His healing power for several of our family members this year.
May God Bless all of you, and may you have a very blessed Thanksgiving 2010!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
USS Harry S. Truman's Photos
I am dedicating this blog to honor deployment pictures of the USS Harry S. Truman. It is my continued belief that the United States still has the most powerful Navy in the world. We need to continue this effort to protect and to keep us strong in the eyes of other countries.
The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in the ARABIAN SEA (Nov. 15, 2010
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, Arabian Sea (Sept. 19, 2010)
Sailors on the flight deck prepare for the morning cycle of flight operations.
ARABIAN SEA (Nov. 15, 2010) Three CH-53E "Superstallions" assigned to the "Fighting Griffins" of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266 on the flight deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, Arabian Sea (Aug. 28, 2010) -
Members of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 12 “fast-rope” from an HH-60H helicopter
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, Arabian Sea (Aug. 30, 2010)
A flight deck shooter aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) signals for the launching of an F/A-18C Hornet
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, Arabian Sea (Sep. 5, 2010)
A F/A-18E Super Hornet launches off the flight deck
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Veteran's Day - November 11, 2010
I am proud to say the I served in the United States Navy during the Korean Crises (1951-1955). The U.S. Navy is the greatest Navy in the world and I just pray that our Congressmen will continue to support funding necessary to maintain or increase the needs necessary to support and protect the citizens of the United States of America.
I would like to share some of my picture collection relative to Navy Service for your enjoyment:
World War II Navy Poster
World War II Navy Poster
A U.S. Destroyer pulling along side the USS Valley Forge for refueling
Picture taken @ Gtmo Cuba in 1953
Navy swimming pool @ Gtmo Cuba in 1953 - USS Valley Forge in background
And now for a glimpse of our modern US Navy, I will share a picture of the USS George HW Bush
A sharp turn into the wind - USS George H.W. Bush - 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
The World War II October Time Line from Reg's Scrap Book
Sorry I'm so late on the posting of October's Time Line battles but I have been way to busy for a retired guy! I have selected all of the October battles from my dad's scrap book as a quick reference for you.
If you find this Time Line interesting you can purchase my book "Gibbon's Secrets" and have all of "A Boy's Memories of the 40's". The book is available at Author House, my publisher, or at the following: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, Indigo Bridge Book Store @ Lincoln's Haymarket, or any local book store can order it for you.
October 16th 1940 - Over 16,000,000 men register for the U.S. draft.
October 31st 1940 - This day marks the end of the continuous Luftwaffe raiding campaign against Britain. British forces land on the Greek Island of Crete, a strategically important island, and began to mine the waters off of Greece.
1941
October 31st 1941 - The German U-boat U-522 sank the first WWII US warship; the destroyer USS Reuben James.
1942
October 6th 1942 - Paving operations were initiated for the Kearney Army Air Base runways, with Reg Phelps hauling the first load of gravel for the paving mix.
October 7th 1942 - On Guadalcanal, the US 1st Marine Division breaks out from the beachhead to create a larger safety zone around the airstrip at Henderson Field.
October 11th 1942 - The build-up for the "Battle of Guadalcanal" continues, with the Americans landing 3,000 men ashore and the Japanese landing artillery, tanks, and other material but they lose more ships in the operations.
October 24th 1942 - "The Battle of Santa Cruz" starts on October 24th, as a long range naval battle between American and Japanese forces. The battle continues through October 27th, with the Japanese sustaining heavy losses on Guadalcanal.
1943
October 1st 1943 - The US 5th Army, commanded by Lt-General Mark Clark captures Naples Italy.
October 4th 1943 - French troops captures Corsica with the help of local guerrillas and the Germans evacuate Sardenia.
October 6th 1943 - Allies with the US 5th Army took Caserta and Capua and the British Army advances up the east coast of Italy. The German retreat continues and the Allies progress with little opposition.
October 15th 1943 - "The Volturno Line" in Italy is breached, the Germans make a fighting withdrawal to the the defensive lines, the "Barbara Line" and the "Bernhard Line", while creating substantial defenses on the "Gustav Line" behind rivers Garigliano, Rapido and Sangro.
1944
October 2nd 1944 – The Warsaw Resistance Army surrenders to German forces, after 2 months of heavy fighting which is a Polish disaster.
October 7th 1944 – “The Battle of Aachen” is the first German city to fall. The offensive of the American 1st and 9th Armies to the Rur, which included the battle of the Hurtgen Forest, “Operation Queen”, the largest aerial close support operation of the war against the German lines east of Aachen; a total of 2,807 planes dropped 10,097 tons of bombs.
October 18th 1944 - Volkesturm formed. These last-ditch defenders of the Reich were men aged from sixteen to sixty and were organized in their own districts, with few uniforms, and with any weapons they could find. They were under the leadership of any available officers, from the SS, SA, NSKK or Hitler Youth. Units of this home defense force varied greatly in quality. Young boys of the Hitler Youth were reputed to have fought with great ferocity.
October 23rd 1944 – “The Battle of Leyte Gulf” is the biggest naval battle to date, resulting in heavy Japanese Naval losses and the sinking of the U.S. aircraft carrier, “USS Princeton”. Admiral Kinkaids’s U.S. 7th Fleet escorts the first landing-parties from General Krueger’s 6th Army on Leyte. There was little resistance from Japanese 16th Division; the first day about 130,000 U.S. troops came ashore.
October 25th 1944 – Russians invade Norway, captures Kirkenes.
October 29th 1944 – Auschwitz’s last gassing.
Monday, September 20, 2010
The September happenings in World War II during each Year from 1940 to 1945
I thought it would be interesting to start a new feature on my blog - The September happenings in World War II during each Year from 1940 to 1945. I am listing the happenings for each of these Septembers from my book, "Gibbon's Secrets" by RG Bud Phelps, where you will find at the end of each "Year Group" a Chapter called Reg's Scrapbook. Fortunately Dad was a collector, and one of the things he collected was all of the 'Newspaper Stories' from the following: The Gibbon Reporter, The Grand Island Daily Independent, and the Omaha World Herald.
Of course the best place to read about this is all of the Chapters of Reg's Scrapbook in "Gibbon's Secrets" by RG Bud Phelps. "Gibbon's Secrets" has, since publication, been available as a paperback book through all of the major book outlets as well as local book stores and national wholesale book distributors. Three of the major outlets of "Gibbon's Secrets" is; Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and AuthorHouse. This year I have made "Gibbon's Secrets" available as a digital book therefore you can add it to your digital library for your Kindle, Nook, or as a download from AuthorHouse for your IPad.
September 1940
September 7th - The "Blitzkrieg" of London, attacks from the air, marks the first air blitz of the cityh. More than 900 aircraft attack London.
September 16 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Selective Service bill and this begins America's first peace time draft.
September 20th - The Allied convoy HX-72 is attacked by a U-boat Wolf-pack and 12 of the 41 ships were sunk.
September 1941
September 4th - German torpedo attacks on "USS Greer" opens the shooting war in the Atlantic.
September 1942
September 1st - Construction of the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant west of Grand Island Nebraska, is completed.
September 5th - Construction was approved for the Kearney Army Air Base east of Kearney Nebraska.
September 10th - British troops occupy Madagascar.
September 13th - The "Battle of Edson's Ridge", Henderson Airfield, Guadalcanal, finds the defense is successful and the Japanese forces are turned back.
September 22nd - A contract was awarded to Kiewit-Condon Company; which included grading and paving taxiways, runways and aprons of the Kearney Army Air Base.
September 29th - A Japanese aircraft, deployed from a submarine off the coast of Oregon, flies over inland forests to drop incendiary bombs.
September 1943
September 3rd, Allied forces invade southern Italy.
September 6th - American and Australian troops land on Las (Northwest Guinea). They also land on Mono Island in the Solomon Islands.
September 8th - Italy surrenders to Allied forces and the Italian Army is disarmed.
September 9th - The American 5th Army land at the Gulf of Salerno.
September 10th - German forces seize Rome Italy.
September 12th - Ninety Nazi German paratroopers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Otto Shorzeny, liberates Benito Mussolini from the Grand Sasso Hotel.
September 13th - A fight between German and Italian troops at Korpoe results in the killing of 7,000 Italians.
September 1944
September 3rd - British forces, under Lieutenant General Sir Miles C. Dempsey, captures Brussels - Belgium.
September 4th - An armistice is declared between Finland and the Soviet Union. Finish orders: Germany must leave Finland by 16 September.
September 5th - The Soviet Union declares war on Bulgaria.
September 8th - The Germans launched the first V-2 rocket and hits London. The V-2 was launched from Wassenaar, a suburb of The Hague, still in German hands.
September 10th - President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill meet in Quebec - Canada.
September 10th - American troops capture Luxembourg.
September 11th - Units of the American Army crosses German border north of Trier.
September 11th - Patrols of the 2nd British Army cross Dutch border north of Leopoldsburg.
September 17th - "Operation Market Garden": Allied paratroops land inside the Netherlands, the biggest airborne operation every attempted.
September 20th - British Guards Armoured Division and U.S. 82nd Airborne Division have taken Nimwegen by a fast attack which captures the important bridge over the Waal; before the Germans could destroy it.
September 1945
September 2nd - Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signs the instrument of surrender aboard the battleship "USS Missouri", in Tokyo Bay - Japan.
The check up on all of the happenings in Reg's Scrap books - pick up a paperback copy or an electronic copy of "Gibbon's Secrets" by RG Bud Phelps. You will see World War II through the eyes of a boy growing up in the small town in the middle of Nebraska, called Gibbon.
Of course the best place to read about this is all of the Chapters of Reg's Scrapbook in "Gibbon's Secrets" by RG Bud Phelps. "Gibbon's Secrets" has, since publication, been available as a paperback book through all of the major book outlets as well as local book stores and national wholesale book distributors. Three of the major outlets of "Gibbon's Secrets" is; Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and AuthorHouse. This year I have made "Gibbon's Secrets" available as a digital book therefore you can add it to your digital library for your Kindle, Nook, or as a download from AuthorHouse for your IPad.
September 1940
September 7th - The "Blitzkrieg" of London, attacks from the air, marks the first air blitz of the cityh. More than 900 aircraft attack London.
September 16 - President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the Selective Service bill and this begins America's first peace time draft.
September 20th - The Allied convoy HX-72 is attacked by a U-boat Wolf-pack and 12 of the 41 ships were sunk.
September 1941
September 4th - German torpedo attacks on "USS Greer" opens the shooting war in the Atlantic.
September 1942
September 1st - Construction of the Cornhusker Ordnance Plant west of Grand Island Nebraska, is completed.
September 5th - Construction was approved for the Kearney Army Air Base east of Kearney Nebraska.
September 10th - British troops occupy Madagascar.
September 13th - The "Battle of Edson's Ridge", Henderson Airfield, Guadalcanal, finds the defense is successful and the Japanese forces are turned back.
September 22nd - A contract was awarded to Kiewit-Condon Company; which included grading and paving taxiways, runways and aprons of the Kearney Army Air Base.
September 29th - A Japanese aircraft, deployed from a submarine off the coast of Oregon, flies over inland forests to drop incendiary bombs.
September 1943
September 3rd, Allied forces invade southern Italy.
September 6th - American and Australian troops land on Las (Northwest Guinea). They also land on Mono Island in the Solomon Islands.
September 8th - Italy surrenders to Allied forces and the Italian Army is disarmed.
September 9th - The American 5th Army land at the Gulf of Salerno.
September 10th - German forces seize Rome Italy.
September 12th - Ninety Nazi German paratroopers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Otto Shorzeny, liberates Benito Mussolini from the Grand Sasso Hotel.
September 13th - A fight between German and Italian troops at Korpoe results in the killing of 7,000 Italians.
September 1944
September 3rd - British forces, under Lieutenant General Sir Miles C. Dempsey, captures Brussels - Belgium.
September 4th - An armistice is declared between Finland and the Soviet Union. Finish orders: Germany must leave Finland by 16 September.
September 5th - The Soviet Union declares war on Bulgaria.
September 8th - The Germans launched the first V-2 rocket and hits London. The V-2 was launched from Wassenaar, a suburb of The Hague, still in German hands.
September 10th - President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill meet in Quebec - Canada.
September 10th - American troops capture Luxembourg.
September 11th - Units of the American Army crosses German border north of Trier.
September 11th - Patrols of the 2nd British Army cross Dutch border north of Leopoldsburg.
September 17th - "Operation Market Garden": Allied paratroops land inside the Netherlands, the biggest airborne operation every attempted.
September 20th - British Guards Armoured Division and U.S. 82nd Airborne Division have taken Nimwegen by a fast attack which captures the important bridge over the Waal; before the Germans could destroy it.
September 1945
September 2nd - Japanese Foreign Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu signs the instrument of surrender aboard the battleship "USS Missouri", in Tokyo Bay - Japan.
The check up on all of the happenings in Reg's Scrap books - pick up a paperback copy or an electronic copy of "Gibbon's Secrets" by RG Bud Phelps. You will see World War II through the eyes of a boy growing up in the small town in the middle of Nebraska, called Gibbon.
Saturday, September 18, 2010
It's better to attempt & fail than to do nothing at all!
I'ts not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena . . . who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
---Theodore Roosevelt
Life is a challenge, but be in that arena and try your very best, because . . . It's better to attempt & fail than to do nothing at all. I know, because in my 78 years I have felt both the sweet feeling of success and the depressed feeling of failure. But, thank the good Lord . . . at least I tried. -- Bud Phelps
Remember all of the happiness in successes and the education you received each and every time that you failed.
---Theodore Roosevelt
Life is a challenge, but be in that arena and try your very best, because . . . It's better to attempt & fail than to do nothing at all. I know, because in my 78 years I have felt both the sweet feeling of success and the depressed feeling of failure. But, thank the good Lord . . . at least I tried. -- Bud Phelps
Remember all of the happiness in successes and the education you received each and every time that you failed.
Friday, September 10, 2010
My Special Dedication to 911
We dare not forget 911 - don't burn books but fly your flag in memory of the lives that were lost that fateful day.
Remember that day? Where were you when the planes started hitting the towers, or the Pentagon, or that field in Pennsylvania?
I was at Indian Head Golf Course just finishing my round of Seniors Golf and when I walked in the clubhouse it was being shown on the TV's. Everyone was in shock and really didn't know the significance of this terrorist attack on our country. The days, weeks & even months after the attack the mood of the country was very patriotic and prayerful.
Compare this to the attitude of the public today. Is their a turn around now with individuals talking more about their freedoms and what has been lost in this past year. Yes, I do think people are again reaching out for conservative politicians to take back our country. We do want our states rights and we do not want such a heavy hand from our government in Washington DC. We do not like the socialistic trend that has been happening and I do believe that the voters will speak loudly in November.
Please don't forget that there are terrorist still out there and the "War against Terrorism" is not over by a long shot. Don't make excuses for our great country. Tell everyone you know how great we really are and support the conservative movements that have developed over this past year. We need someone in the White House that will tell the world how great our country is - not someone that is prone to make excuses for something he feels we have done against the world. Check the cemeteries in Europe and in the Pacific that show the great number of our servicemen and women that died protecting freedom all over the world. It's like "Remember Pearl Harbor". Now its "Remember 911".
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