Category Archives: American History

Say Hello to the New Guys

Posted on January 7, 2019 by

Recently I watched Band of Brothers.  One episode centered on new men entering Easy Company as replacements after D Day. The men are welcomed with less than enthusiasm and are not sure what to make of it. And I thought … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, 43 TFS, Air Force, Air Force lingo, Alaskan Air Command, American History, Band of Brothers, F-4 Phantom II, F4 emergency, F4 Phantom II, F4 PhantomII, Fighter Aircraft, Fighter pilot lingo, Fighter pilot slang, Thailand, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB | 2 Comments

Happy New Year

Posted on December 31, 2018 by

Originally posted on An American Family:
In 1969 two of my friends and I went to welcome in the future in Times Square. This is something that everybody has seen on TV year after year, but few have experienced. In…

Posted in American History | Leave a comment

Christmas in War Time

Posted on December 25, 2018 by

This was originally posted in 2015, but as many American men and women remain in war zones, I offer it again as I do each year at this time. Christmas is such a family time, its easy to forget that … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, Air Force, American History, Christmas, Veterans, Vietnam War, World War Ii | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Every year Santa came until 2015

Posted on December 16, 2018 by

Originally posted on An American Family:
Since 1971, Santa Claus has come to my house.   That was the first year that a 12 inch-tall standup Christmas card of Santa, holding a pipe with a heart applique in the billowing…

Posted in American History | Leave a comment

Alaska and Earthquakes

Posted on December 1, 2018 by

Originally posted on An American Family:
2014 marked the 50th anniversary of the great 1964 earthquake that hit Anchorage, Alaska. Many folks in Anchorage called it the Good Friday Quake because it hit the city on March 27,  1964. It…

Posted in American History | Leave a comment

Thanksgiving 45 years ago – long ago and far away

Posted on November 17, 2018 by

Military men and women often share moments that are seemingly out of time. These are universal events singular to the military experience, but shared across generations.  Some of these include: being hunkered down in a fox hole; moving across a battlefield … Continue reading →

Posted in 13 TFS, Air Force, American History, F4 Phantom II, Thailand, Thanksgiving, U Dorn RTAFB, Udorn RTAFB | Leave a comment

Speech Given at the First Annual Veterans Dinner at Finger Lakes Community College

Posted on November 7, 2018 by

Originally posted on An American Family:
Remarks by  Lt Col John E. Norvell (USAF Ret.)  November 10, 2017 President Nye, Dr. Pierce, ladies and gentleman and members of the College community,  thank you for inviting me to speak tonight. As…

Posted in American History | 2 Comments