Here are some recent articles of interest that I found this week for U.S. Veterans. Enjoy!
Surprises from History: 17,000 evacuated after huge WWII bomb found in Germany
Around 17,000 people are being evacuated from a residential area of Dortmund, Germany today following the discovery of a massive unexploded bomb thought to have been dropped by a British bomber during World War II.
The unexploded ordnance was uncovered in the city’s Hörde district during building work at a pump manufacturer. Everyone within a radius of 1.5km began to be evacuated at noon local time so the bomb could be be safely defused. Local authorities believe the type of explosive in the bomb is several times more powerful than conventional explosives, according to the Kolnische Rundschau newspaper.
Between 10% and 20% of all bombs dropped on Germany during World War II are thought to have not exploded on impact, which means ordnance continues to be uncovered 70 years later.
Read more here…
Helping Veterans: Gift from Katy Perry helps homeless Veterans secure housing
Thanks to the philanthropy of Katy Perry, 22 homeless veterans in Michigan and Texas will soon cross the threshold into permanent housing. Perry is a supporter of Veterans Matter, a growing national program that works with HUD and VA to house homeless veterans. As part of its fundraising efforts, Veterans Matter auctioned a Katy Perry Prizmatic Tour concert package with the winner, Scott Vaughn of Oakton, Virginia, getting to be the superstar’s VIP guest with concert tickets and to meet her backstage before her recent tour stop in Cleveland.
Read more here…
Historical Sacrifices: Six Months – Three Canadian Brothers – all killed in WWII
The Second World War took the lives of many young men who served in the military. But for the Wagner family, the loss was simply colossal. Sitting in her home in the hamlet of Teeterville in south-western Ontario, Lenore (Wagner) Floyd wondered how her grandmother coped with the ordeal while describing how all three of her sons were dead within six months of joining World War Two battles. Lenore’s great-uncles Howard, Ivan and Harry were all killed while fighting in Europe in the Second World War.
Read more here…
Veteran Advocacy: 11 tips for running a successful small business from one Veteran to another
Thomas Bernard is taking the skills that made him a successful soldier and applying them to his construction business — and wants to share what he’s doing with other veterans turned entrepreneurs. After serving two tours in Iraq, Bernard started ProCraft Interiors in 2010 with as he puts it, “$600 and a dream.”
Read more here…
History Maker: Lawrence Benner, the tail gunner tells his tale
Lawrence Benner, a crew member of the Lancaster bomber aircraft reflects on his journey as a tail gunner during the Second World War. A Tail gunner is a crew member of a military air craft who attacks the enemy fighters sitting at the back or tail of the aircraft. Lawrence Benner with his profound interest of becoming a pilot and serving the nation during the Second World War joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in September 1943. Benner is from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He was seventeen years old when he made this decision. However, now he say, “nobody likes war, it’s cost to many young lives.” “I wouldn’t want to go again, I sure as hell wouldn’t.”
Read more here…
History Movies: Mel Gibson, Andrew Garfield Set to Work on Upcoming WWII Film
Oscar-winning director and actor Mel Gibson will reportedly work with The Amazing Spiderman actor Andrew Garfield on upcoming WWII film about war vet Desmond T. Doss, the first ever conscientious objector and one of the only three to win the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the Second World War.
Mel Gibson, whose most recent movie was The Expendables 3, is billed to direct the said war film while Andrew Garfield, who became recently popular due to his role as Spiderman, is said to portray Desmond Doss’ character in the movie. The project has the working title Hacksaw Ridge.
Read more here…
Thank you for reading (and sharing). Stay tuned for next week’s weekly review for U.S. Veterans.
