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Korean War Veteran

Lieutenant Alfred Sokolowski in his Navy summer white uniform

LCDR Alfred Sokolowski, U.S. Navy – Dreadnoughts to Destroyers: A Two-Ocean Sailor in World War II

Lieutenant Commander Alfred “Ski” Sokolowski, U.S. Navy (Retired), has experienced much over the last ninety-nine years. He had a front row seat in World War II as his ships plowed the North Atlantic, protecting convoys from German submarines. He fought on a destroyer in the Pacific, helping recapture islands lost to Japan at the start of the war, and then joined the fight again just five years later in the Korean War sailing off the coast of North Korea. As if that wasn’t enough, he took on the dangerous job of explosive ordnance disposal and managed weapons logistics in the western Pacific. He didn’t just watch U.S. history from a distance—he lived it over the course of thirty years. This is his story.

Service Photo of Arnold Fernandes in 1942

Episode 22 – Petty Officer Second Class Arnold Fernandes, U.S. Coast Guard

Welcome to Episode 22 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This episode features the story of Petty Officer Second Class Arnold Fernandes, U.S. Coast Guard.Arnold’s service spanned two wars, World War II and the Korean War, and two services, the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy. In World War II, Arnold served in one […]

Thurman Cousins in Vietnam 1966 - Featured Image

Episode 19 – Command Sergeant Major Thurman C. Cousins, U.S. Army (Retired)

Welcome to Episode 19 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This episode features the story of Command Sergeant Major Thurman C. Cousins, U.S. Army (Retired).Thurman Cousins is a soldier’s soldier. Steeled in battle during the Korean War, he went on to serve two combat tours in Vietnam and rose to the Army’s highest enlisted rank. […]

Keith Burton by airplane on USS Essex

AB2 Keith Bunton, U.S. Navy – Serving on USS Essex During the Korean War

Less than five years after the end of World War II, the United States again found itself at war, this time on the Korean Peninsula fighting Communist aggression. Despite 1.8 million U.S. military members serving in the theater of operations during the bloody three-year conflict, Americans know little of their service and sacrifice. Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Second Class Keith Bunton, U.S. Navy, experienced the Korean War off the shores of Korea onboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CVA-9), which launched airstrikes against enemy targets during two Korean War deployments. This is Petty Officer Bunton’s story.

Thurman Cousins in Vietnam 1966 - Featured Image

CSM Thurman C. Cousins, U.S. Army (Retired) Professional Soldier Through to the Core

I’ve had the honor of interviewing numerous veterans. Many were citizen soldiers, drafted in times of national need and answering our nation’s call. When their tours of duty ended, they returned home and got on with their lives. I could tell right away Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Thurman C. Cousins was different. Battle tested in […]

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Lessons from a Veteran’s Grave

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything and I thought I would revive a story I told several years ago because it really helps explain why I write. For me, writing presents an opportunity to make a difference. The difference may be as simple as making someone’s day a little brighter through an entertaining […]