Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter:

1. Video Trailer for At First Light
2. At First Light well-received by readers
3. Article featuring At First Light in WWII Quarterly Magazine
4. Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) Review and Award Nomination
5. Another wonderful review of At First Light
6. Podcasts and Radio Shows about At First Light
7. Award Nominations for At First Light
8. Washington Examiner Op-Ed: What Should Our D-Day Anniversary Mean?
9. July’s “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living

1) Video Trailer for At First Light

Rick Portier is a videographer and feature reporter for WAFB 9News in Baton Rouge. We met during the World Premiere of the book when he did a news story about the book that was carried around the world by the Associated Press. Rick was kind enough to produce this video trailer for At First Light. Let me know what you think. Trailer – First Light – Portier – 1080 – 2022-06-29

2) At First Light well-received by readers

I’m delighted that my WWII book about my father’s exploits and heroism, At First Light: A True World War II Story of a Hero, His Bravery, and an Amazing Horse, has received 100% 5-star reviews on Amazon (43 reviews), Barnes & Noble (22 reviews), GoodReads (23 reviews), Walmart (16 reviews), and Target (17 reviews).

2) Article featuring At First Light in WWII Quarterly Magazine

A significant excerpt from At First Light, titled “For Love and County: A 3^rd Infantry Division Officer’s Story of Combat and Survival” is featured in the Summer 2022 edition of WWII Quarterly Magazine. If you’ve never heard of the magazine (I know I had not), they say this about themselves, “WWII Quarterly, the Hardcover Journal of the Second World War is printed in full vivid color on thick, luxurious paper. But as handsome as these editions are, it’s what’s inside each issue that will reward you the most. Each 100-page volume includes feature-length, in-depth articles that bring specific aspects of the war to life for you in ways very different from the same war stories or accounts found elsewhere.” Again, you can read the article here.

3) Military Writers Society of America (MWSA) Review and Award Nomination

The MWSA has given At First Light an amazing review and accepted it for consideration for several MWSA awards which will be presented later this summer. Here’s part of the review:

As we see Phil lead his troops through Italy, France, and Germany, we get a history lesson and a reminder of true American heroes. We get to know the characters, complete with photos, including the animals in Phil’s world. He trains mules to get supplies and equipment to the front lines.

He was also highly skilled with horses, but his love for them is what gets him through hard times, even after the war. The usually stark WW II story is humanized by this unequivocal expertise, and his romantic joys and heartbreaks.

Through years of research the author discovered that distinct part of life so many of our fathers and grandfathers couldn’t share.

Never before has a book moved me to tears, out of pride—for 2nd Lieutenant Phil Larimore’s legacy, and my own humble service in the U.S. Army. 

Review by Sue Rushford (June 2022)

4) Another wonderful review of At First Light

Dee Long’s review of my WWII book was an encouragement. She titled the review, “Books Make the Best Travelling Companions.” Here’s an excerpt:

Larimore and Yorkey have done a yeomen’s job of reporting Phil Larimore’s story in vivid detail. … It memorializes the efforts and sacrifices made by Larimore and his comrades during some of the darkest days of World War II. At First Light is also a great book choice for those who are relaxing in their backyard or den this summer and want to time travel to an era when decency, right, and respect were all shared values.

5) Podcasts and Radio Shows about At First Light

Here are several programs on which I was interviewed about the book that you might find interesting:

• Video Podcast (Christian Medical Association)
• Afternoons with Bill Arnold (Faith Radio Network and to be rebroadcast on July 4)
• Chris Fabry Live (Moody Radio Network and to be rebroadcast on July 4)
• Point of the Spear Military Podcast (Robert Child, author, and Emmy-winning documentarian)

6) Award Nominations for At First Light

Besides being nominated for a Military Writers Society of America Award, as mentioned above, At First Light has been nominated for:

• International Page Turner Award — nominated in 5 award categories: (1) best non-fiction book, (2) best audiobook, (3) best cover, (4) best co-authored book, and, you’ve gotta love this one, (5) best golden author’s books (for authors over 60).
• Society for Military History Distinguished Book Awards — nominated for best book in the “Biography and Memoirs” category.

8) My Washington Examiner Op-Ed: What Should Our D-Day Anniversary Mean?

The Op-Ed ran in the June 6 edition of the Washington Examiner newspaper in Washington, D.C. I hope it will be a blessing (and perhaps a surprise) to you. If so, please share this with family and friends so we can all remember together the amazing sacrifices, suffering, and successes of these incredible soldiers.

9) July’s “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living

I enjoy being able to answer questions from the readers of Today’s Christian Living magazine in my “Ask Dr. Walt” column. Here are my Q&As from pages 16-17 of the July 2022 issue:

• Are Teflon pans safe? Are there better nonstick alternatives? — Kitchen Cookin’ in Kentucky
• Can electric blankets cause cancer? — Burrowed in Bed in North Dakota
• What are the health risks of getting a manicure or pedicure? I’ve heard they can spread fungal diseases. Is that true? — Wanting a ManiPedi in Maryland

10) Answers to Last Month’s Prayers

• June 1-2, Barb and I were not able to attend the wedding in Denver as planned. Barb and I had mild breakthrough cases of COVID (we’re both vaxxed and boosted). We’ve since received our 2^nd booster and will likely have our third booster this fall (just approved by the FDA).
• June 4, Barb and I did our annual “Walk for Life” to support Life Network. Since Barb was still in quarantine, we did the walk in our neighborhood. Thanks to SO many of you who donated to our walk. We’re grateful.
• June 28, my every-10-year screening colonoscopy was once-again negative for colon cancer. I did have three pre-cancerous polyps removed (which is why this procedure is called a “cancer preventative strategy). My dad had colon cancer in two locations of his colon, so screening has been important for me. This history, plus my pre-cancerous (adenomatous) polyps mean that I’ll be on the 5-year plan now.
• June 29-July 7, Barb’s sister, Sue, and cousins, Pam and Robin, are in town for a holiday visit.

6) Prayer Requests for Upcoming Events

• I’ll spent much of July working on the scrapbooks that will contain dad’s war pictures, press clippings, and other memorabilia.
• July 21-28, Barb will be in Dallas with her sister, Sue, and our niece, Laura.

7) Past Editions

June 2022

• My and Barb’s Annual “Walk for Life”
• At First Light, the WWII book about my dad was featured on “Chris Fabry Live” on the Moody Radio Network
• At First Light was also featured in Today’s Christian Living (TCL)
• At First Light interview on “CMDA Matters” Podcast
• At First Light “sneak peek” chapters are available
• At First Light has received excellent reviews, articles, and TV coverage
• How to Fast in “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living

May 2022

• At First Light World released on April 19
• Meeting the Governor of Louisiana
• On “Chris Fabry Live” on Moody Radio
• On Dr. Dobson’s “Family Talk” Radio Program

April 2022

• At First Light World Premiere next week at LSU in Baton Rouge
• “Ask Dr. Walt” in Today’s Christian Living

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2022. This blog provides healthcare tips and advice that you can trust about a wide variety of general health information only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from your regular physician. If you are concerned about your health, take what you learn from this blog and meet with your personal doctor to discuss your concerns.