I wrote about my Dad, Rudy Hanson, being a veteran of the U.S. Army in a previous post. He recently joined a Combat Veterans’ Writing Group, which meets at the local library. The Western Herald, the newspaper for Western Michigan University, just published a piece on the class and showcased the stories of a few veterans. You guessed it–my dad’s was one of those selected!
Here’s a link to the article “COMBAT VETERANS’ WRITING GROUP RECALLS PLETHORA OF WARTIME MEMORIES.”
Extra special for me is how his story connects with the piece I wrote about his mother’s sewing talent. I think you’ll enjoy his story!
Way to go, Dad!
Dad and me 1955
The Family Kalamazoo 
Wonderful stories…I am so happy to see that someone created a writing group for the vets to write about history. I hope others did as well. Do you know if they all wrote books? I’d love to read their experiences. You must share this post with Pacific Paratrouper, who is always looking for personal accounts of the war experience.
I think the group is just getting started with their stories, Mrs. P. It’s such a wonderful idea. I’m so glad it was started! Yes, I love the PP blog!
Well, I think it’s a wonderful idea. Would it be all right if I shared the newspaper article on my Facebook. I’d like to promote it so that maybe others might take the hint and run with it. This could proved to be a very therapeutic tool for ALL vets.
I love that idea! Yes, please do!
Such a great story from you dad! Those little snipets of memory are great.
Thanks for reading, Deborah. It’s so true, and I’m glad my dad found a way to get them on paper.
It is one of the reasons I am posting my letters. I love it when he makes comments. He remembers silly little things that I would never think to ask him if we sat down and had a “formal” interview.
You’re so right, and that’s what I especially enjoy about the letters–the little personal touches.
How very special! 🙂
Thanks, Linda–I think so too!
How great! And I love that photo of you and your dad. You both look so happy! It’s such a jazzy shot!
What baby that young laughs like that? What a dork. Those were the days when men dressed like that with a nice suit and tie.
What an awesome idea for a writers’ group! And, the photo of you and your dad is wonderful. You were adorable.
It’s a fabulous idea for a writers’ group. Thanks, Sheryl. Hahaha, I don’t know about adorable, but definitely a silly grin on my face!
I love these stories. Isn’t it interesting that they don’t dwell on the horror. I have my father’s great and great great grandfathers letters from the Civil War and he chose to write about the most mundane daily activities. He asked about his mother’s canned peaches and what parties the family went to, the neighbors and even the house keeping. The human spirit really is amazing! Thank you for posting these.
I was thinking the same thing about what veterans choose to talk about. The day to day stuff. I love the canned peaches! Hoping to get another story out of my dad soon . . . .
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