A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of attending the
Currahee Military Museum Weekend in Toccoa, Georgia to sign copies of my book, Home to Currahee.
The number of our World War II veterans is diminishing every year. Though
in their late eighties and early nineties, several of the paratroopers who
trained at Camp Toccoa made long journeys to be present for the weekend this
year. Camp Toccoa is the site on Currahee Mountain where the paratroopers
trained who jumped behind enemy lines on D-Day. Steven Ambrose in his book,
Band of Brothers, and later the HBO miniseries, told the story of Easy Company, the
506th regiment and part of the 101st Airborne who started
their journey at Camp Toccoa.
Eight years ago, when I wrote the first draft for Home to
Currahee, I interviewed Reed Pelfrey, a
pathfinder, who was one of the first to make the jump to set the drop targets
for those who would follow. Sadly, Reed is no longer with us, but the museum
features a display from his life.
It was a high honor to speak with these heroes who made such
an impact on our world, among them Al Mampre and Ira Morehart and Ed Pepping.
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Also, I had the joy of meeting a homeschooling family of six
children from San Antonio, Texas who arrived in 1940’s attire and delighted
everyone who attended that day. I was signing a book for someone when I heard
this operatic quality voicing singing, “There’ll be Blue Birds over the White
Cliffs of Dover. “ I turned to see fourteen-year-old Faith Philips serenading
several of the veterans.
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Every eye in the room was on them and most were filled
with tears. Here is her website, please don’t miss it.
Here on Veteran’s Day, find a veteran and thank them for
their service. You might even do a little serenading of your own. And let’s especially
remember to pray for those serving now
and possibly still in harm’s way.
If you’re not a football fan, you may have missed Chris
Botti’s rendition of the Star Spangled Banner this past Monday Night. He had big
football players in tears. Here it is.
To the home of the free and the land of the brave and all
those who defend it.
God bless you.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).