American Legion Archives – Lindsey Alexander

August 5, 2014

On anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death, how her visit inspired one vet to keep going

Today is the fifty-second anniversary of Marilyn Monroe’s death. A veteran I spoke with late last year had a lot to say about what her life as a public figure meant to him as a lowly soldier in Korea.

When I spoke with Mr. Miranda about his time in the military, a photo bulb’s flash made for one of his brightest memories–evidence he had seen Marilyn in real life. On base in Korea, the troops were visited by Marilyn Monroe, right before she would marry Joe DiMaggio. To read about his encounter and what her presence meant to him, click here.

February 14, 2014

For Valentine’s Day, a Transatlantic love story

Need a Valentine’s Day pick-me-up? How about a real love story amidst all the saccharine candy hearts?

Read this story about two World War II veterans who found each other and fell in love during the war.

Though many celebrate this holiday as “Singles Awareness Day,” I’m happy to think of William and Joyce Hastings–who recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

Their friends contacted the American Legion to surprise them with a story. It was fun to write and research in cognito, and their friends were a hoot. Here’s to 70 more years of happiness and companionship.

December 14, 2013

December Veteran Story

When an unstoppable grade school girl found out her friend, a World War II veteran, hadn’t received his medals for his service, heads were bound to roll. Talking to Leanna’s mother and Mr. Mowbray, the veteran, it became clear to me how serious this student was, how true a friend and how fiery a spark plug.

Read this inspiring story of how one girl’s perseverance led to a quiet man receiving his due 67 years late.

Her quest began during a school project to record veterans’ stories for the Library of Congress. Listen to his war stories here.

October 1, 2013

September Veteran Story

Talking with Eugene Prieto about his quest to find out the truth about his uncle Roaul, who was KIA in World War 2. Roaul died when Eugene was just a boy. It shook him. Rather than accepting the terms of this tragedy, Eugene has pushed as far as Congress to get his uncle the peace in afterlife he feels he deserves. Click on the link above to read the story.

June 21, 2013

Feature: Small Ohio town pays tribute to its lost son

A vet at the American Legion, post 70 in Ohio, started this story by sending a link to a Wikipedia article about Pfc. Melvin Newlin, a young man who was KIA during Vietnam and posthumously received the Medal of Honor.

I was able to talk to one of his sisters, a brother, a former reporter, and a few townspeople who shared his story. Everyone from Wellsville seemed to know his story.

Newlin’s story is in some ways remarkable, but it doesn’t seem so to those that knew him. As his brother Joe said, “It wasn’t difficult for me to believe. I knew what he’d do. I knew what he was like.”

Click here to read his full story, one of valor, tragedy, and community.