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The Best of On My Mind
The Best of On My Mind
Faded Banner Publications
Category:
Essays
Publisher: Faded Banner Publications
ISBN-10: 0965920148
Type: Non-Fiction
Pages: 160
Copyright: August 2014
ISBN-13: 9780965920148
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
The best of Don Allison's award-winning columns from the pages of The Bryan Times newspaper of Bryan, Ohio.
During more than three decades as an editor with The Bryan Times, a daily newspaper in Northwest Ohio, Don Allison has supplemented his work in news with columns touching on a variety of topics. Since 2006 his columns have appeared weekly under the title "On My Mind."
These columns range from hard-hitting pieces on topics in the new, to heartfelt family pieces, to humorous takes on life.
Beginning with his earliest days as a columnist, Don's writing has earned recognition from United Press International and Associated Press, and individual pieces have been picked up by other newspapers through AP.
His readers, too, have praised Don's writing.
"To be honest, I broke into tears (the good kind) when I read it," one reader wrote in response to a column on a personal topic.
"I admire your courage in being willing to tell it like it is," another reader shared after reading a column chastising politicians for catering to special interest groups.
"Wow!" was the simple comment of another reader, reacting to Don's column about a chance conversation with Pete Seeger.
This volume brings together some of the best columns from the early years of "On My Mind." They are some of Don's favorites, and he hopes you enjoy them as well.
Excerpt
Following is an excerpt from one of Don's column, ‘The War’ sparks memories of one vet’s service
I found the images and stories of the PBS series The War compelling, even mesmerizing. In spite of that, my eyes were continually drawn to two small wooden frames on the wall near our television.
One frame, a triangle, holds the now folded flag that covered my father-in-law’s coffin during his funeral in 1996. The other displays his patches and decorations from World War II.
Those items tell more about Merle Eutsler’s service than he ever shared with his family. The War, for him, was not something to be talked about. A technical corporal’s stripes give away his rank. The tech part came with his job ─ laying telephone wire to forward artillery units, to allow their fire to be directed by commanders.
The 9-V patch is for his unit, the 95th Division. Merle’s division came in on the Normandy beaches soon after D-Day, and fought across Europe into Germany.
As he always did when asked about The War, Merle would deflect any questions about the Bronze Star that now hangs in the frame. He would just change the subject, or make a joke. “Never missed a meal,” he quipped when I asked about the medal.
What he never said was the Bronze Star is awarded for heroic or meritorious achievement while in military operations against the enemy, in Merle’s case Nazi Germany. Whatever that heroic act may have been, Merle wasn’t about to call attention to it.
Among the other awards and service pins in the frame is one medal that stands out from the rest ─ the Purple Heart. Only those wounded or killed in combat receive it.
I saw the scars on his abdomen once. “Those are my rooster tracks,” he joked, flexing his muscles and effectively thwarting any prying questions.
For years my questions to Merle about The War ─ just like those from any members of the family ─ were met by that firm but friendly stone wall. Information simply was not forthcoming.
One evening Merle was visited by one of his World War II comrades, and as they talked they caught up on their lives and shared war memories. For once, Merle opened up about The War, in his private room, over a few beers with his buddy.
I was with them, but made sure not to get in the way.
I kept my ears open and mouth closed for the next several hours as they rehashed their parts in The War. Merle’s job laying wire, it turned out, was much more difficult than I ever could have imagined.
He told of getting rousted from his sleeping bag in the middle of freezing, snowy winter nights because somebody cut wires leading to an artillery unit. That “somebody” was likely a German patrol, laying in ambush knowing that an American repair crew was on the way ...
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