Archive for July 2025
Making Peace with Vietnam
(First presented in 2015 at the “Vietnam 40 Years Later Commemoration” at the American Freedom Museum in Bullard, Texas; published that same week as a Focal Point Column in the Tyler Morning Telegraph, Tyler, Texas; then updated a bit for another presentation on March 18, 2023.) “Thank you, Martha, for putting up with me and…
Read MoreWhatever Floats Your Boat
Friday, Dec. 30, 1870: “Stormy with wind from southwest… carried away our fore top mast sail and the sailors (could not take it off) until it was in ribbons. At noon, wind changed to northwest and a very heavy sea coming over her… the sailors were up to their knees in water nearly all day.…
Read MoreIn Search of the Batfish
“I can imagine no more rewarding a career. And any man who may be asked in this century what he did to make his life worthwhile, I think can respond with a good deal of pride and satisfaction: ‘I served in the United States Navy.” – President John F. Kennedy By DAVE BERRY We were…
Read MoreDays of Heat; Nights of Wonder
“I inherited that calm from my father, who was a farmer. You sow, you wait for good or bad weather, you harvest, but working is something you always need to do.” – Miguel Indurain By DAVE BERRY Some of my fondest memories are of lying atop the newly harvested wheat in the bed of that…
Read MoreStories from the Heroes Flight
“I saw a projectile go right between our stacks. Our sister ship got it amidships… the shell cut it in half. It folded up and sank right there… We picked up 250 survivors. They lost about 30 sailors.” – Gordon Barker. By DAVE BERRY Gordon Barker of Hideaway has a unique perspective on World War…
Read MorePatience and Persistence
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait – it’s how we behave while we’re waiting” – Joyce Meyer. By DAVE BERRY Patience for a photographer can be a lonely virtue. Sometimes the perfect photograph just isn’t there. And sometimes it never will be. You can’t just walk out the door any time you want…
Read MoreCampfire Stories
“The thing I took away as an early fan from Bob Dylan was the storytelling aspects. He can tell some wicked stories.” – Ed Sheeran By DAVE BERRY The campfire is a magical place – warm, welcoming and intimate. Imagine a circle of friends, faces flushed, knees warmed by the crackling flames. Conversations are casual,…
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