Walt and Barb's Family Update — April 2025

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter:

A proven formula for increased quantity and quality of life
My presentation at the Medal of Honor Gallery of the Center for American Values: The man that bullets could not stop
Dad’s posthumous induction into the U.S. Army’s OSC Hall of Fame at Fort Benning
Speaking event in Florida and visits with old friends
Top ten blogs from February
Last month’s family, health, and WWII blogs

1. A proven formula for increased quantity and quality of life

I enjoy being penning a bi-monthly column for the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine. Here is the link to the most recent issue, March 2025. My column, “The Excellent Eight: A proved formula for increased quantity and quality of life,” is on pages 36-37. For a sneak preview, here are the eight factors:

0 = no tobacco products and no/limited alcohol
5 = five servings of fruits and vegetables per day along with no/limited ultra-processed foods and no/limited added sugars
15 = minutes of silence, relaxation, prayer, Bible study, meditation per day
30 = BMI (body mass index) below 30
100 = FBS (fasting blood sugar) below 100
120 = systolic blood pressure (BP) below 120
150 = minutes of exercise per week
200 = cholesterol below 200

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2. My presentation at the Medal of Honor Gallery of the Center for American Values: The man that bullets could not stop

I was honored and privileged to have been invited to the Center for American Values to present, “The Teenage WWII Hero that Bullets Could Not Stop: The Youngest Commissioned Officer in WWII and an Amazing Horse,” in their Medal of Honor Gallery on Thursday, March 20.

The event was sold-out and standing-room-only. The book signing sold out of all of Dad’s books. You can view the presentation here at your convenience. I’d love to hear your feedback about the presentation. Just go hereand navigate to the “Leave a Reply” box at the bottom of the page.

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3. Dad’s posthumous induction into the U.S. Army’s OSC Hall of Fame at Fort Benning

Barb and I at the entrance to the National Infantry Museum

Dad’s four sons flank his OCS Hall of Fame portrait

Mar 27-28, my father, Philip B. Larimore, Jr., was honored and posthumously inducted into the U.S. Army’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) Hall of Fame at Fort Benning, Georgia. Dad was the youngest-ever and the only 17-year-old-ever graduate of the OCS and the youngest commissioned officer in WWII.

Barb and I joined my brothers, Billy (Karen), Phil (Erin and son Holden), and Rick); our daughter, Kate; our son, Scott, Barb’s sister, Sue; long-time friends Paul & Julie Lyons; and the man who led me to Christ over 50 years ago, Rich McGee, for the ceremonies.

My brothers and me accepting Dad’s induction certificate.

I loved the picture below that Scott serendipitously took of me, deep in thought, walking out of the National Infantry Museum in gratitude for all my Father had accomplished as a WWII military hero.

Long-time readers may remember that in 2023, Dad was inducted into the 2023 Class of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Infantry Division’s Marne Hall of Fame alongside Audie Murphy and Generals Marshall, Eisenhower, Ridgeway, O’Daniel, and McGarr. The last two were his commanders. The Hall of Fame has just placed the plaques of the three in their museum. I bet Dad’s awfully proud to be placed in their company.

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4. Speaking event in Florida and visits to old friends

Mar 4-6, Barb and I were in Bradenton, FL, visiting special friends, Dr. Peter and Cathie Armstrong. On Thursday, March 6, I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Care Net Manasota Pregnancy Center’s annual Banquet for Life Fundraiser. The event was sold out and the fund-raiser for this wonderful ministry was a lot of fun and very successful.

Then, Mar 7-12, Barb and I traveled to Inverness, FL, to visit with friends, Dr. Nick and Kelly Kurz. From there, we were off to Kissimmee, FL, to visit with more old friends – Jerry and Jennifer Adamson and John and Nancy Lyons. Unfortunately, my former practice partner and his wife, Dr. John and Cleta Hartman, were ill and we didn’t get to visit. I especially enjoyed being with my 95-year-old mentor, Bill Judge, who has graciously coached me since 1985.

5. Top Ten Blogs from March

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6. Last month’s health, family, and WWII blogs

A. Last month’s family blogs

B. Last month’s health blogs

C. Last month’s WWII blogs

I’m continuing a blog on most days following my father’s exploits and adventures during WWII. Each blog will represent what he and the men with whom he was fighting were doing 80 years ago on the exact day of the blog. Here are last month’s blogs:

D. Previous WWII blog lists

If you want to sign up to receive an email about each blog when it’s posted, sign up for free here.

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7. Last Month’s Happenings

Mar 4-6, Barb and I were be in Bradenton, FL, visiting special friends, and on Thursday, March 6, Iwas the keynote speaker at the Care Net Manasota Pregnancy Center’s annual Banquet for Life Fundraiser.
Mar 7-12, Barb and I traveled to Inverness, FL, and then to Kissimmee, FL, to visit with old friends. I especially enjoyed being with my 95-year-old mentor, Bill Judge, who has graciously coached me since 1985. (See my blog: I was mentored by an amazing man who was a Milker of Cows).
Mar 24-31, Barb and I were with the Atlanta Larimore clan (Scott, Jennifer, Katherine, and Sarah). We always love our time with them. While we’re there…
Mar 27-28, my father, Philip B. Larimore, Jr., was posthumously inducted into the U.S. Army’s Officer Candidate School (OCS) Hall of Fame at Fort Benning. See above.

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8. Upcoming events

April and May will be media months. The publisher of my WWII book, At First Light, is having a publicity push in honor of:
- The 250th anniversary of the birthday of the Army,
- The 100th anniversary of Dad’s birth,
- The 80th anniversary of the end of WWII and the birth of Army equine therapies that are today successful across our great nation because of the vision of my father when he was a 20-year-old amputee, and
- The 75th anniversary of military officers with a major limb loss being able to serve the military and the country they love because of a young amputee, my dad, who fought for them, their honor, and their future, instead of personal glory.

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9. Past Three Family Newsletters

February 2025
- Looking for a Daily Bible Reading Plan?
- “Ask Dr. Walt” column in January’s Today’s Christian Living magazine
- Top nine blogs over the last 28 days
- Last month’s family, health, and WWII blogs
- “Vaccine News You Can Use” column in Colorado Family Physician journal
January 2025
- Signed 1st edition copies of “At First Light” available
- Honoring my father’s 100th birthday
- My father was chosen for the 2025 Army Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame
- Our Amazing 2024 in Review
- Last month’s special Christmas, family, and health blogs
- “Vaccine News You Can Use” column in Colorado Family Physician journal
December 2024
- My Thanksgiving 2024 Prayer
- Last month’s family and health blogs
- “Vaccine News You Can Use” column in Colorado Family Physician journal
- List of last month’s WWII blogs