Sunday, November 6, 2011

Leaving the Ghosts Behind - An Interview with a WWII Vet

If you're following the tour, you probably just came from Gracen Miller's blog. After you leave a comment, continue the tour by visiting Sherry Ellis's blog.

It's me again. I seem to be getting more face-time than the Dime Store Novel characters lately. If you're here to read about them, scroll down...I hope you do...but first, I hope you read my interview with Lawrence Kennon, a WWII vet who I feel blessed to have as a friend.

Lawrence agreed to let me interview him as part of Blog Tour de Troops.
When you finish reading my interview with Lawrence, make sure to leave a comment to receive a free ebook copy of the latest Dime Store Novel The Reunion for you and a troop. Robyn M. Ryan gave it a great review...read it here.

Rachelle: Lawrence, you told me you served in WWII. Can you tell me where and when?

Lawrence: 1941 to 1945. European theatre of operations. I was stationed in Great Britain. You need to know that I was in the Army Air Corps. We had no such thing as the air force then. General Hap Arnold organized the Air Corp as part of the army and I was in the heavy bombardment...4 engine bombers. He saw the need for air power during the war. We didn't have any and he saw the need for it, so he worked with Pres. Roosevelt and organized the Air Corps which later became the Air Force.

Lawrence Kennon - Air Corps
Rachelle: Can you tell me a little about your role there?

Lawrence: Our main task overseas ...or main orders were...we flew up into the North Sea from Great Britain and flew around in the North Sea and jammed the German radar...that was our main task. We had to fight fighters off so that our other planes could go in and bomb them. I didn't know that until later -- the details, that is. I just knew we were jamming their radar. You see, we had the Norton bomb site to let us drop bombs acurately, but the Germans had it too. It was highly secret, but they had it. All they did was reverse it and they could shoot us down just like we could bomb them.

Rachelle: That sounds dangerous. Which mission do you remember most?

Lawrence: We went down into Germany. The orders were to bomb a little town – Dresden, I think it was. We came back out..well...we thought we were clear...but  we were shot down with anti-aircraft fire. We abandoned the plane, jumped out in parachutes, went into the North Sea and I was picked up by Air Sea rescue, which was stationed in France. They took me back to France and kept me a couple days out, then sent me back to Great Britain, where they assigned me to another crew...another plane.

I shall never forget Air Sea Rescue's code name that day was Colgate. We used words like Colgate, Pepsodent, Lucky Strike, Camels. But I remember the code name that day was Colgate.
There were 8 crew members that day. Seven of us were picked up. We never knew what happened to the 8th. He was a good boy. A friend.
Rachelle: Do you want to talk more about the war, or should we talk about your trip to Washington?
Lawrence Kennon - Now
Lawrence: Let's talk about the trip. The trip to Washington, for me, was a real experience. It was really a good trip. It was organized by a group called Honor Tour.
Rachelle: Was it all WWII vets?
Lawrence: Yes, but from different branches. Our group met in Poplar Bluff and we rode a coach to St. Louis, where we boarded a plane that flew us to Baltimore. From Baltimore, we took a coach again to Washington DC. They put us up in the Drury Motel, fed us all our meals and Saturday we spent the day visiting the different memorials. I was impressed with all of them, but mostly with the World War II memorial. It's really a fabulous thing – 50 columns, each named after one of the states. IT has 40,000 gold stars...each star represents 100 people who lost their life. That's a lot of people, isn't it? *shakes head sadly* War is obscene.
It's built in 4 sections, Pacific on one side and Atlantic on the other. There are eagles on each section...I think there were 4...they weigh 2 ton a piece. Can you imagine that? Each state's name is on a column with a big wreath. 
The other thing that impressed me tremendously was FDR memorial. That one is built in 4 sections, each representing a term inoffice. I think that's why I was impressed with it. That was my time. He died while I was in Great Britain fighting, so he was my president. The other thing that was really fascinating was the Navy museum...all of the navy from the beginning up until the present day. Every school student should have to go through that. *chuckles*
Rachelle: What made you smile on your trip?
Lawrence: *grins* There was a 3-star general who had served in Afghanistan. He was due to go back again soon. He asked me why we wore off hats tilted off to one side. I said, "It's because that's the way the ladies like them." He chuckled at that.
Another funny thing was when I saw a lady and her husband. She was British -- I could tell that by her accent -- and she asked me where and when I had served. I said "A little town called Tring." Her husband said "That's where we live. Right by the runway." Can you imagine that?
Rachelle: What was the most moving experience of your trip?
Lawrence: We watched the changing of the guard at Arlington Cemetery is very moving...very impressive. Those soliders who do that...they devote their entire life to bein absolutely spotless and perfect. They change the wreath on the unknown soldier.
Rachelle: It sounds like you enjoyed your trip.
Lawrence: It was a great trip for me. *touches heart* I've been carrying some ghosts around with me all this time...50, 60 years. I finally left those behind. Some of my friends who died over there...I never could bury them. This trip, I did. When I went to Arlington Cemetery, that's when I really...really I don't know how to say it. I just accepted the fact that my friends had died and that was it. I had closure on it. I buried them. I'm grateful I had that chance.
Rachelle: I am too. Lawrence, thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I hope more veterens are able to go on the Honor Tour. They deserve it!

I'm grateful for the freedom to live my life as I want to. It's people like Lawrence and all the men and women serving today who risk their lives for my freedom. After you leave a comment, continue the tour by visiting Sherry Ellis's blog.



101 comments:

  1. Thanks for your participation in this. It's a wonderful thing you guys are doing. My email addy is ladymargaretrose@yahoo.com

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  2. This is a wonderful you and the other Indie authors are doing.
    Thank you to all of our service men, women, and families.

    kindle3.user@verizon.net

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  3. hi! that was an amazing interview! thank you Lawrence for sharing your story.

    thanks as well to you Rachelle and John for your contribution to the troops and for participating in the tour.

    aobibliophile(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. Thank you both for commenting and sending an ebook to the troops. We are all doing our small part.

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  5. Thanks aobibliophile. I will let Lawrence know. He's a terrific man and I'm glad you got to know him a little.

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  6. Thank you for taking part in the Tour and thank you to all that have served our country.

    andreagrendahl AT gmail DOT com

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  7. Thank you for participating in such an amazing cause and thank you so much to Lawrence for sharing his experiences :) My Granddad was in the RAF and fought during WWII, as a big reader himself before he died I know he would have loved the idea of the Tour de Troops.

    shroudedheart(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  8. Thank you for this book tour. Thank you for sending books to our troops. pringpringles(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. Thank you for participating in this wonderful tour.
    I can't wait to read your book!
    Thanks Again,
    Laura G.

    cardinoles@gmail.com

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  10. What a great interview. My father was a WWII vet, but he wouldn't talk about the war. He was in the Battle of the Bulge but all he ever told us was that he saw Gen. Patton. He took his stories (or maybe demons) with him when he died.

    Thank you for doing this and supporting our troops. This book looks like a great read!
    tweezle(at)gmail(dot)com

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  11. That was a very moving story. Thanks to both of you for sharing. I already have a copy of The Reunion if you would just send my copy to the troops as well. Thanks!

    pefrw at yahoo dot com

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  12. My grandfather was also a British soldier in World War II. Sadly, he passed away a couple of years ago. I never got to talk to him about his experiences because I grew up in a different country to him and we rarely saw each other. Yet I still feel a huge loss that he is no longer here. Thanks for sharing such a moving story.
    suzy.turner[at]hotmail.com

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  13. Tour de Troops rocks!! As do all of the authors who are taking part in it! Thank you so much!!!
    Georgeanna
    tdf.gb@bucksmont.net

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  14. Please thank Lawrence for #1--serving our country and #2--for sharing some of his experiences with us. Thank you, too, for sharing him with us!

    Saph
    saphsbookblog at gmail dot com

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  15. Thank you for participating and donating books.

    acm05@juno.com

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  16. This is a great project for a worthy cause. Thank you for sharing and for your generousity.

    tamsyn5 at yahoo dot com

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  17. Thank you for supporting our troops!

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  18. Great interview! Thank you for sharing your book.

    artgiote at gmail dot com

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  19. Dear Lawrence,

    Thank you so much for serving our country in WWII. I appreciate your sacrifice and am glad you were, at long last, able to lay your ghosts to rest. Know I'm thankful every day to vets like you who make all my freedoms possible.

    rivawriter(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. what a wonderful interview. Such a great cause. Thanks for sharing.
    divavixenqueen(at)gmail(dot)com

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  21. Thanks for being part of this tour and I hope your book makes somebody’s day better :)

    hellenlovesbooks (at) gmail (dot) com

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  22. Just stopping by for the tour. Thanks for that great post about your friend. You can send my copy of the book to the troops as well.

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  23. Thanks for your post. I'm so proud of all our troops and what they and their families sacrifice for us every day.
    rinald47@gmail.com
    Joe

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  24. What an inspiring story! Our WWII veterans do not seem to want to talk about themselves--getting this history recorded is so important, and a treat to read. Thank you to Mr. Kennon and all the soldiers who have and are serving our country! Blessings on all!

    PS Please send my copy of The Reunion to a soldier, too. I know he/she will enjoy it as much as I did!

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  25. Great interview; thanks for sharing and thanks to all our troops!
    egstanley(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. The interview was awesome!! Thanks for donating a copy of your book the the troops! Martha - MESchlegel3@gmail.com

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  27. Thank you so much, and thank you to Lawrence for his service, and for sharing his memories with us!

    I'd love to read your book. You can find me at DinozzoGibbs @ gmail.com

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  28. Rachelle, that was a great interview. thank you Lawrence for sharing your story with us.

    Also, thank you Rachelle and John for helping the troops score some good reading material and for participating in the tour.

    Brian
    brjf [at] yahoo [dot] com

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  29. Great interview, thank you Lawrence for taking the time to be interviewed. I love your humor and I am glad you are finally at peace with the friends you lost during the war.

    Thank you Rachelle for being a part of this tour!

    crystalfulcher(at)ec.rr.com

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  30. Thank you for supporting our troops through this blog tour. Thank you, Lawrence, for sharing your experiences with us.
    cmhswi(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  31. Thank you so much for participating in this lovely event. God bless our troops!

    Karen

    kmoaton@Hotmail.com

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  32. Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I will pass your messages on to Lawrence (if he's not reading them real-time).

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  33. Thank you for participating in this :)

    brittanyrose40 AT yahoo DOT com

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  34. Thanks to those who serve, their families - and to everyone participating in this tour. What a wonderful way to support the troops!

    beritlemons AT gmail DOT com

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  35. As a 24yr vet it has been my honor to serve.

    Thank you for your support.
    ryan.mills68(at)gmail(dot)com

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  36. Thanks for supporting our troops!
    Really neat interview!
    SWyland808@msn.com

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  37. Thank you for participating in the tour and supporting the troops.
    Have a great day!
    pauline@pjhandcrafts.com

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  38. Thanks for sharing Lawrences story. My maternal grandfather & 2 of his brothers served during WWII. One brother, Howard Conard, was killed near Winghausen, Germany by enemy fire on April 6, 1945 while serving in the Medical Corps. There is only one member of the family left that actually knew Uncle Howard, but he still holds a very special place in the hearts of all of us.

    drainbamaged.gyzmo at gmail.com

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  39. Thank you so much for supporting our troops!

    nook_heartnsole at yahoo dot com

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  40. Just another author on the tour checking in. It's been an awesome experience, being a part of the tour. Here's to many more, similar tours with similar success!

    ~ Erin M. Klitzke
    athensmcleod@hotmail.com

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  41. Thank you for taking part in this Blog Tour de Troops.
    Thank you to Lawrence for personalizing what some troops do.

    Janey
    jandhj2 (AT) yahoo (DOT) ca

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  42. what a great post! thanks for participating in BTDT
    diamondskye20 at yahoo dot com

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  43. I used to send books overseas via 'Books for Soldiers', and this is the best way I've seen yet to continue that effort!

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  44. I'd like to get your book.

    kolists a\t gmail dt com

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  45. Thanks for participating in the blog tour and for generously donating your book to a soldier and to the commentators.

    I enjoyed the interview and hearing about that tour. I didn't know they did those tours.

    sophiarose1816@gmail.com

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  46. Thank you for your participation in this event. My father was also in the Army Air Corps in WWII. Your interview brought back some memories for me.

    The email I use for ebooks is merikat1948 at hotmail dot com and I look forward to reading your book.

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  47. What a great cause - thanks for supporting our troops!

    I look forward to reading your book!

    Sandi(at)Beckman(dot)me

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  48. i love the interview and look forward to reading your book

    leahnassar@gmail.com

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  49. Thank you for taking the time and sharing this wonderful interview with us. I have had to tone down my emotions during the Blog Tour de Troops, as we have so much to be grateful to our troops and veterans for. This is such a wonderful event, thank you so much for participating and honoring our veterans on their day and giving to our troops the joy of a good book. I am also thankful for your providing us readers a copy of your lovely book as well. Your efforts are appreciated.

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

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  50. It's a wonderful thing all these authors are doing with the Blog Tour de Troops. I was just reading a news article in which active duty troops were lamenting the lack of new books to read! Thank you for your generosity and the contest!

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  51. My dad was a WWII vet and landed at Omaha Beach on D-day. He didn't live quite long enough to go on one of the Honor Tours and he didn't talk about the war but he looked very dashing in the pictures.

    OmahaUrbanec AT aol Dot com

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  52. Thank you for supporting the troops! I think this tour is a wonderful idea and I'm glad so many authors are participating!

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

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  53. THank you for helping to support ouu troops. It means the world to them and those left here at home. My soldier is currently serving our country in Afghanistan. These books mean so much to both of us.

    betty.vickery.johnson@gmail.com

    My loving soldier Jon:

    provert247 AT gmail DOT com

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  54. I think what you all are doing for our soldiers is a wonderful thing! My husband served in the Navy, and my mother-in-law and daughter served in the Air Force, so our men and women are very close to my heart at all times, but especially on and around Veteran's Day :)
    Thank you for the free copy of your book! I am really looking forward to reading it:D
    jwitt33 at live dot com

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  55. Thank you for supporting our troops and thank you for sharing this story!!!
    magluvsya03@yahoo.com

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  56. Great Interview..we did something similiar way back in college...I learned so much about the war..and taking care of the elderly now I have learned so much more...thank you for what you are doing!
    twinmomx5 at gmail

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  57. Wow, he gave some really touching responses. Glad he got rid of his ghosts :).

    evanbartholomew@gmail.com

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  58. Thanks for the interview and for supporting our troops.

    Heather
    earthsbooknook at gmail dot com

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  59. My thanks to Lawrence for sharing his story.

    Thank you for supporting the troops with this wonderful event. Please donate my copy to a service member.

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  60. Thanks for taking part in this thoughtful cause.
    Carla63@windstream.net

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  61. Thank you for caring and brightening the day of many soldiers. christygibbon at juno dot com

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  62. That was so great thank you for sharing Lawrence! Thank you to all Veteran's and those still serving.

    miranda.grissomATgmailDOTcom

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  63. Thanks for supporting the troops and for sharing your interview with Lawrence. Please send my copy to the troops as well. Thanks again.

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  64. Thank-you for doing this.
    robyn.hummel@gmail.com

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  65. Thank you! appleblossoms977@gmail.com

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  66. This is a wonderful interview, there is so much to comment on. I did not know that we didn't have an air force during WWII, I think I assumed it was established during or sometime after WWI since planes were a decent part of the war.

    I'm glad he was able to get closure in DC, I've never been to the WWII memorial but next time I'm there I'll definitely look for it.


    Thank you for participating in this great tour, I look forward to reading your book!
    melorabrock {at} gmail {dot} com

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  67. I loved this story. I'm a Veteran and I love to hear about others who served! Thank you again!

    psdpoling@sbcglobal.net

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  68. This was such an amazing idea! Thank you for helping support our troops!

    ruby[dot]meek[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  69. thanks for doing this. As an army veteran of multiple deployments, I can assure you that reading provides sanity and a chance to explore worlds outside the dust/rain/dirt of the present un-fun. With the advent of eBook readers it has become even easier to read, try new authors and to feel less cut off from the world.

    sincerely - Holly (prosekniticATyahooDOTde)

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  70. Thank you for a wonderful post and thank your friend for a great interview. I appreciate what you are doing for our troops!

    glenn(at)keyaquests(dot)com

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  71. Thank you for supporting our Troops!
    t_manfredi@hotmail.com

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  72. Thanks for sharing your book and Lawrence's story with everyone.
    helpersarah2009@gmail.com

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  73. Thanks so much for supporting our troops! My dad and hubby are Marine Corps veterans. Semper Fi!

    kathleen_howard2003@yahoo.com

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  74. Hi Rachelle - thank you for sharing the interview and the pictures. I'm pleased to see that Lawrence hasn't lost the lovely twinkle in his eye, even after all he's seen.

    Great post!
    Donna
    donna.haw@gmail.com

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  75. Thank you for the support or the troops the past, present and the future.
    Also thank you for all your hard work. I can't wait to read your book.
    tammi.hagberg@sbcglobal.net

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  76. Rachelle, this was a very touching interview. What a brave man. I have been sitting here staring at his pictures. I am glad that I have met Mr. Kennon through your blog. Thank you for putting together such a thoughtful post for this event. And thank you for your participation in this tour.

    Very truly yours,
    D. M. Kenyon
    author at lotus blossom book dot com

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  77. Thanks for supporting our troops by doing this. My father, Husband, and brother-in-law have served or are currently serving, and anything that supports them and our troops is something that is near and dear to my heart.
    Many Thanks,
    Andrea
    a_ariail(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  78. Thank you for participating in this tour! My grandfather was in the navy, so the military is special to me as well!

    nurse6030@gmail.com

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  79. I'm grateful to all the brave soldiers who made it possible for us to have the freedom we so take for granted every day.

    nancyg5997@gmail.com

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  80. I'm honored to be a part of this. Our soldiers are truly heroes. Thanks for your support.
    susan.byerly@comcast.net

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  81. Terrific interview. Thank you for participating in this event, I think the tour is a great way to show support for our troops and am happy to see so many participating authors. shadow31071 (at) suddenlink (dot) net

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  82. Thank you for participating in this wonderful project, and thank you to our veterans and their families for their service!

    lindaspencer@mac.com

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  83. Thank you for participating in this great event. And thanks to all the service men and women active snd retired and to those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could remain free and safe.
    MJB
    msmjb65 AT gmail DOT com

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  84. This such a wonderful giveaway and truly benefits all. I am thankful for the opportunity to be apart of it.
    Shauna
    shhaunna(at)live(dot)com

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  85. What a wonderful story, by what sounds like a remarkable man! I am so grateful to him and every other member of the service serving now and in the past!

    Thank you for supporting our troops in such a generous manner! I know that each and every book received will be greatly appreciated! And thank you for allowing me to be a part of it through you!

    iarvd@yahoo.com

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  86. Thank you for taking part in the tour! Please donate my copy of the book to a soldier. Thank you!

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  87. Great interview! I'd love to see more of these WWII stories recorded before they are lost. Thanks for participating in the Blog Tour de Troops! Such a great cause. :)

    ~Jesi

    jesilea(at)charter(dot)net

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  88. I admire what you all are doing. As a child of the military, (my mom, biological father, and step father, all are military, in various branches, not to mention aunts, uncles, and grandparents), it's always been part of my life, so I think it's really nice when people acknowledge what they spend their lives devoted towards.

    jamileigh17 at gmail dot com, kindle format preferred.

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  89. Great interview.
    Thank you to all that serve.

    Morganlafey86(at)aol(dot)com

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  90. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  91. Please give Lawrence my thanks for sharing and for his service to our country! My Dad was also in the Army Air Corp in WW2. Thanks for participating in this blog tour and supporting our troops!

    pk4kids(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  92. That was a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    stefscat@gmail.com

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  93. Thanks for your wonderful interview with Mr. Kennon. You did a great job.

    Thank you for being part of Blog Tour de Troops.

    Cordially,

    Ardee-ann

    sagemoon_cottage@yahoo.com

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  94. Great interview. And thank you Lawrence, troops in and out of service, veterans and heroes for all that you've done for us. You'll never know how much you are appreciated. I'll never look at colgate the same way again either.
    jessangil at gmail dot com
    -Jessica B

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  95. Thanks for supporting the troops.

    Marty
    puccagirl73@gmail.com

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  96. Awesome blog tour for a great cause! Thanks.

    quinnsmythwood(AT)gmail(.)com

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  97. I just got my email for the fourth day, I hope I'm not too late.

    I would like to thank all of the women and men in the military for their sacrifices, their honor and for keeping our country safe! I would like to thank the families of the military men and women for their sacrifices too!

    Pinky
    pinkmaiden821(at)gmail(dot)com

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  98. Thank you for sharing Lawrence's story, its amazing to hear about his experiences and what touched him.

    silverbluelily at gmail dot com

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  99. Thank you for participating in such a wonderful cause!
    waverlyn at hot mail dot com

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  100. I'm so glad he was able to leave those ghosts behind.

    waverlyn at hotmail dot com

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  101. Great interview! And yes, you never completely shake off the ghosts; the memories of all you've experienced stay with you and it changes you.

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