Haven’t updated my blog in a while due to getting very busy.
My family has grown, in age as well as members. A new grandson added to the fold. My wife and I attended a Fallen Hero Bridge Dedication Ceremony in South Dakota for my cousin, Lieutenant Colonel Gordon J. Lippman. Thanks to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem for sponsoring that event. I also attended the annual South Dakota Festival of Books in Deadwood, for the second year in a row.
Rotary International conferred on me a second Paul Harris Fellowship.
I spoke at numerous events throughout the year but one of the most endearing to me was for the Military Order of the Purple Heart at the WWI Museum in Kansas City.
I spoke at the Henry Leavenworth Chapter of SAR last March on the oratory of Patrick Henry, expressing my best rendition of his, ‘Give me Liberty or Give me Death!’ speech. I’ll be back at the Henry Leavenworth Chapter for their dinner meeting on March 28th to talk about the 249th anniversary of events taking place at Lexington and Concord, and the shot heard ‘round the world. Check out my EVENTS page for details and logistics and please join us.
This first quarter of 2024 has been an exciting and busy time for me as writing and volunteer efforts during my retirement have expanded tremendously!
Throughout the months of January, February and March, I have been actively engaged with developing work for the Frontier Museum of the United States Army Foundation. The Foundation is engaged in creating a new museum that will sit outside the front gates at Fort Leavenworth. I’m honored and excited to be part of this team. Our organizing activities thus far have been focused on getting all the right government documentation in place and making contact with various constituencies who will be involved in the program, funding and construction. My role as Program Manager is to provide operational assistance in moving toward these objectives. Stay tuned to learn more as get closer to our goals!
This past year, I took on the role of Scholarship Chair for the Military Writer’s Society of America. We just concluded that season this past month and have awarded money and certificates to the winners. Information can be found here: www.mwsadispatches.com. I continue to serve as one of their book reviewers.
Putting the school subject I hated most into action, I filled in as a Treasurer for three organizations in 2023. Math was my least favorite subject in school. I used to remark about never needing to know or use concepts from algebra and geometry once I become an adult. Wrong! It turned out to be one of the most utilized skills throughout my forty-year career in IT. So math and Excel have become a very common necessity that I use daily.
At the Henry Leavenworth Chapter of SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) I was asked to fill in as an assistant treasurer but that soon got upgraded when the Treasurer at the time decided to step down. Not long after, I was asked to step in for the Kansas City area George Washington Birthday Celebration Treasurer, and the third was for the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 75 of Leavenworth. So, I’m keeping my Excel templates and math formulas handy.
Working with SAR members across the state of Kansas, I participated in the recognition and reward of individuals and chapters for their service to promote the educational, historical and patriotic objectives of the SAR. More information to come in the months ahead as I intend to keep this blog more current.
These have all been exciting and worthwhile adventures for me.
In addition, my writing has picked up. Take a look at my ABOUT page for more information on that front.
Hope to see you all soon at a book signing, speaking event or coffee shop near you.
The next book speaking event scheduled is with the Sons of the Confederate Veterans on April 4th at 6:30pm. Look at my events page for details and logistics.