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A Fox In Winter by J. Logan Nicholson

A Fox In Winter by J. Logan Nicholson

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Every now and then, a book slips past any convention of war stories, battlefield memoirs, and action-packed retellings of America's greatest hits and instead says, "Hey, sit down, grab a drink, and think about how you got here." J. Logan Nicholson's A Fox In Winter is one of those books.  A Fox In Winter — Beyond the Usual War Stories Don't let the woodland critter on the cover fool you. This isn't a Disney flick. It's a sharp, witty meditation on life's stages, told through the instincts of a fox that's a little too clever to just chase rabbits all day. Nicholson takes the reader through the four seasons of life, literally. Spring, summer, autumn, winter, and each section gives the fox a new mask to wear, a new trick to play. In spring, he's a young kit bounding into the world, paw-first and nose-down. Think boot camp hijinks, where nobody knows anything but everybody's sure they do. The fox in spring is curious, fearless, and dumb in a way that makes him bulletproof — at least...

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10 Wild Things You Didn’t Know About the SR-71 Blackbird

10 Wild Things You Didn’t Know About the SR-71 Blackbird

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The SR-71 Blackbird is probably the most recognizable American aircraft ever built, even to this day, and despite being retired for more than 30 years. It’s easy to understand, just by looking at one. Nicknamed “Habu” by the locals of Okinawa for the venomous snake it resembles, the Blackbird is one of the coolest-looking aircraft. Even SR-71 aircrews in their pressure suits have an iconic look.

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AFN Jamie Farr, U.S. Army (1957–1959)

AFN Jamie Farr, U.S. Army (1957–1959)

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Jamie Farr, best known for his iconic portrayal of Corporal Maxwell Q. Klinger on the classic television series *M*A*S*H*, brought an irreplaceable sense of authenticity to the screen—largely inspired by his real-life service in the United States Army. While millions remember him for his comedic antics and cross-dressing attempts to secure a Section 8 discharge, Farr’s genuine military experiences were far removed from the character he played, rooted instead in duty, discipline, and personal growth. This article delves into Farr’s journey through the U.S. Army, exploring how his military service shaped not only his career, but his very outlook on life. Jamie Farr’s Early Life Born Jameel Joseph Farah on July 1, 1934, in Toledo, Ohio, Jamie Farr grew up in a tight-knit Lebanese-American community. His mother was a seamstress. His father was a grocer in north Toledo. He was raised in the Antiochian Orthodox religion. The son of immigrants, Farr’s upbringing instilled in him values of...

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AO2 Zachary Bryan, U.S. Navy (2013–2021)

AO2 Zachary Bryan, U.S. Navy (2013–2021)

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Zach Bryan is a name synonymous with raw authenticity in the country music world today. But before his rise as a celebrated singer-songwriter, Bryan served an honorable eight-year tenure in the United States Navy. His military service not only shaped his character and worldview but also deeply influenced his music, providing a unique texture and depth that resonates both with civilians and veterans alike. Here, we explore the details of Zach Bryan's military career, his transition to music, and the recognition he has earned as a civilian artist. Zach Bryan’s Early Life and Enlistment Zach Bryan was born into a family with a strong naval tradition. His birthplace was Okinawa, Japan, where his parents were stationed during their military service. He grew up surrounded by the values of duty and service, with his father, grandfather, and even great-grandfather all serving in the Navy. Zach spent the majority of his youth in the rural haven of Oolagh, Oklahoma, with the Grammy-nominee...

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Who Brings an Accordion to Vietnam? by V. E. Flango

Who Brings an Accordion to Vietnam? by V. E. Flango

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Army veteran Dr. Victor Eugene Flango usually writes about court reform. He has authored more than 100 publications and articles (and even a web video) on the topic. His 2024 book, “Who Brings an Accordion to Vietnam?: A Lighthearted Look at the War,” is a standout, not only because it’s not about court reform, but it’s also not a combat memoir, because Flango didn’t serve in a combat role.

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The Tragic Defeat of the Bonus Army

The Tragic Defeat of the Bonus Army

Desperate times call for desperate measures. In 1932, the Great Depression was in full swing, and American citizens were increasingly homeless and hungry. Among those destitute masses were tens of thousands of veterans of the trenches of World War I. Their only hope came in the form of a promised "adjusted compensation certificate," a cash bonus for their dedicated service worth the certificate's face value with compound interest.  The only problem was that the payment wasn't supposed to come until 1945. Men with families to feed couldn't wait. So they gathered together in what the American press called the "Bonus Army" and marched on Washington to demand their payments. Washington responded by clearing the homeless veterans with drawn guns and fixed bayonets.  Life After the Great War The years following the end of World War I were marked by an economic boom in the United States. It was a period of conspicuous indulgence and consumption we remember today as "the Roaring...

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235th Birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard

235th Birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard

August 4, 2025, marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the 235th Birthday of the United States Coast Guard. This day invites reflection on the storied past and vital contributions of this essential branch of the U.S. military. For over two centuries, the Coast Guard has been at the forefront of safeguarding shores, ensuring maritime safety, and responding to emergencies both at home and abroad. Historical Beginnings of the U.S. Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard was officially established on August 4, 1790, by the Treasury Department, making it one of the oldest continuous seafaring services in the nation. Initially named the Revenue Marine, it was tasked with enforcing tariff and trade laws and preventing smuggling. Its first fleet consisted of ten cutters, small ships designed for patrolling the coastlines and intercepting contraband. In 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service, leading to the creation of the modern Coast Guard. This...

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Fallen Comrade (A Story of the Korean War) by Walter Howell

Fallen Comrade (A Story of the Korean War) by Walter Howell

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There’s nothing wrong with writing a book that chronicles some of the most defining moments of one’s life or generation. American military veterans often write gripping books from their own perspectives. What’s really interesting about “Fallen Comrade: A Story of the Korean War” is that author Walter Howell chronicles the intertwined lives of three childhood friends from Clinton, Mississippi – Waller King, Joe Albritton, and Homer Ainsworth – who all enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and serve together in Korea. And at some point, uses their own words to do so.

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PFC Oliver Stone, U.S. Army (1967-1968)

PFC Oliver Stone, U.S. Army (1967-1968)

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Oliver Stone, renowned for directing bold and unflinching films such as Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July and JFK, is much more than a celebrated filmmaker. He is also a decorated Army veteran who proudly served during the Vietnam War. While many know Stone for his searing critiques of power and politics, his commitment to truth began long before Hollywood on the battlefields of Southeast Asia. Oliver Stone's Early Life and Enlistment William Oliver Stone was born on September 15, 1946, in New York City. The son of a French mother and an American father, he grew up in a culturally diverse household that prized both education and ambition. His father, Louis Stone, was a stockbroker and a staunch Republican, while his mother, Jacqueline Goddet, brought a European sensibility into the family home. He attended the elite Trinity School in Manhattan and later The Hill School, a private boarding school in Pennsylvania. After high school, he enrolled at Yale University, but after just one...

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Just Dust: An Improbable Marine’s Vietnam Story by Wes Choc

Just Dust: An Improbable Marine’s Vietnam Story by Wes Choc

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By their very nature, books on war deal with death, near-death experiences, injuries and all the unpleasant but inevitable aspects of war, like homesickness, bad food, substandard leadership, impossible missions and seeing friends die but above all, is the fear; fear of being killed, fear of losing body parts, fear of not living up to the challenge, fear of fear itself. Just Dust: An Improbable Marine's Vietnam Story has all of that but focuses more on the author's contemplation of the experience.  A Journey from Restlessness to the USMC Like any good book - and this one is brilliant - Choc follows a logical progression beginning with his dissatisfaction with college; his inability to feel important; his decision to join the Marines and his difficulty in boot camp; the challenges of Vietnam and his ultimate and surprising dissatisfaction of Marine life that did not include combat. But what makes this book stand out is how he processed all this and how he closely analyzed his...

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Historic Japanese Internment Camps At Risk!

Historic Japanese Internment Camps At Risk!

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Because of proposed cuts in the United States budget for 2019, the National Park Services would be severely reduced. This may have a negative impact on many NPS sites, including those where Japanese Americans were confined following America's entry into WWII in 1941. Japanese Internment Camps Began With Fear and Prejudice In 2006, the government set up the Japanese American Confinement Sites Grants Program via the National Parks and set aside thirty-eight million dollars to educate the public as to the importance of remembering this sometimes-controversial story in the nation's history. The grant money is typically used for site preservation, research, preserving oral and written histories, museums, educational materials, and archeology. As the years go by, fewer and fewer formerly incarcerated Japanese Americans are left to tell the stories. To keep those stories from fading away, work must be done, and that costs money. Ever since Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act in...

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PFC Sixto Escobar, US Army (1941-1945)

PFC Sixto Escobar, US Army (1941-1945)

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Sixto Escobar, of the United States Army between 1941 and 1945, was Puerto Rico’s first world boxing champion, and International Boxing Hall of Fame member. Remembered today with the Estadio Sixto Escobar, the San Juan home of River Plate Puerto Rico, as well as many buildings, roads, and statues, he is a favored son of the island territory. Not as many people know, though, that he served in the military during the Second World War as an Army PFC.

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