Family Newsletter

March 20, 2024

A recording of my WWII presentation at the LSU Military Museum

This presentation, “At First Light: How a Teenager Became a WWII Hero” was delivered at the William A. Brookshire LSU Military Museum in October 2023 as […]
March 19, 2024

March 19, 1944 – Not a single spot on Anzio Beachhead is safe from enemy gunfire

Journalist George Tucker wrote, “To appreciate Anzio it is necessary to remember that the beachhead is shaped like a fan, the handle of which is a […]
March 18, 2024

March 18, 1944 – To seize a beachhead like Anzio was one thing—to hold it indefinitely was another

The miserly affection with which the limited ground on the Anzio, Italy beachhead was coveted is shown by the fact that during March the 3rd Infantry […]
March 17, 2024

March 17, 1944 – Dad’s first medal of valor caused Mount Vesuvius to blow her top

Well, not really. But the two events occurred in close proximity to each other. Phil’s first medal of valor was the Silver Star the Army’s third […]
March 16, 2024

March 16, 1944 – Baptism by fire (Part 2)

“No soldier in any of our theaters of operations is better acquainted with this war than is the Infantryman, and no Infantryman knows war more intimately […]
March 15, 2024

March 15, 1944 – Baptism by fire (Part 1)

“In every battle, the last one hundred yards of the fight belongs to the Infantry. Armed with rifle and bayonet, Infantrymen must face and defeat the […]
March 14, 2024

March 14, 1944 – Skirmishes increase on the Anzio front line

The countless stone houses of standard design lined the few roads across the Anzio beachhead. To the front of Dad’s units the stone farm houses were […]
March 13, 2024

March 13, 1944 – Stories of Army nurses in WWII that will swell your heart

While writing the early drafts of my book, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse, […]
December 1, 2021

Monthly Family Update – December 2021

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: “The Best Gift” released November 16 Great Review for The Best Gift “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian […]
January 1, 2022

Monthly Family Update – January 2022

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: Last Day of Patient Care My Heart Catherization Book(s) Report (At First Light, The Best Gift, The Natural […]
February 1, 2022

Monthly Family Update – February 2022

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: Barb’s BIG Surprise Birthday Celebration “At First Light” – 77 days and counting to the April 19 release “At […]
March 1, 2022

Monthly Family Update – March 2022

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: “At First Light” – Six weeks and counting to the April 19 release “At First Light” – World […]
April 1, 2022

Monthly Family Update – April 2022

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: At First Light World Premiere next week at LSU in Baton Rouge “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian […]
May 1, 2022

Monthly Family Update – May 2022

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter: At First Light World released on April 19 Meeting the Governor of Louisiana On “Chris Fabry Live” on […]