Earl and James Des Jardins: a legacy of respect

Earl and James Des Jardins: a legacy of respect

Earl and James Des Jardins left their family farm in Wisconsin more than 80 years ago, and never returned. But, thanks to the efforts of a nephew neither lived long enough to meet, their memory lives on. The two brothers each enlisted and served as WWII fighter pilots following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. [...]

A salute to Doug, to all veterans and to the freedom they defend

A salute to Doug, to all veterans and to the freedom they defend

Our friend Doug wore his honor consequently in the steel of his clear, blue eyes and the incorruptible straightness of his spine. But, he neither mentioned nor displayed the medals that honor earned him. A World War II veteran, he served with distinction in General Patton's Army. He earned an Oak Leaf Cluster, Victory Medal, [...]

And I won’t forget the men and women who gave that right to me

And I won’t forget the men and women who gave that right to me

I nearly danced into my polling place this year, so thrilled by the warm weather and the cheerful busyness of a democracy at work. You don't have to look too far outside of this country to recognize how privileged we are to participate in free and fair elections. We are a young, cantakerous, imperfect, vast [...]

A hardhat and soft heart for this country

A hardhat and soft heart for this country

Kevin Oelhafen wasn’t thinking about glory as he made his way 120 feet down into the frigid waters of the Atlantic Ocean 25 years ago. He was thinking about the 230 victims of TWA Flight 800 and their families. He’s still thinking about them today. “I have been asked about writing my story, but, out [...]