written by Todd DePastino Sleeping quarters in Wöbbelin, a subcamp of Neuengamme concentration camp (National Archives) On May 4, 1945—just hours from the final surrender of Germany in World War II—the men of A and B batteries of the 319th Glider Field Artillery received unusual orders from 82nd Airborne Headquarters: they were
written by Todd DePastino Happy 95th Birthday to Popeye, one of the few Americans to serve in four branches of service (Merchant Marine, Coast Guard, Navy, and, yes, Army--more on that below). He was also at once the toughest and most tender-hearted of cartoon characters. He overcame a one-eye disability, a serious
written by Todd DePastino Last October, Elizabeth Anne Helm-Frazier contacted me to call upon folks to send birthday cards to Romay Johnson Davis, one of the oldest World War II veterans in the world, who celebrated her 104th birthday on October 29, 2023. Ms. Romay was a member of the famed 6888th Central Postal
written by Mary Klepper In Rogersville, Tennessee, is the Persia General Store, the kind of place where “if they don’t have it, you don’t need it.” It’s also the domain of Vicki Seay, who founded the store and has run it for almost 50 years. I walked in looking for Diet Peach Snapple (I
written by Johnny Lang Last June, we had the immense pleasure of hosting a VBC Happy Hour with the inimitable Johnny Lang, an Army veteran who served with Elvis Presley and seemed to channel Elvis's extraordinary energy. Johnny’s new book, My Army Days with Elvis: Friendship, Football & Follies, tells of hijinks and warm
written by Daria Sommers The VBC got to know writer and filmmaker Daria Sommers through her award-winning feature-length documentary Lioness, which tells the story of a group of female Army support soldiers who were part of the first program in American history to send women into direct ground combat. We screened the film and
