Salute To Honorable Men And Women

The OCS at Fort Knox Reunion held at the historic Sheraton Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas, from August 18 to 21, 2016, was the inspiration for this book that hails the stories of Fort Knox OCS Candidates who lived to return from the Vietnam War and other postings in the Cold War. Their stories about survival and readjustment to life in their homeland inspired me. These stalwarts took to the stage and delivered personal sagas that left the audience spellbound. The writing muse nudged me. Stories were gathered from these honorable men. Exciting highlights unfold about their lives before, during, and after the Vietnam War. Why stop? Stories were sought from ordinary people, men and women, who served on battlefields; Gold Star moms who grieved the loss of military pilots; a spouse whose husband was missing for thirty-plus years; a mother whose son has never returned; World War II Italy warriors fighting alongside their brothers; the elite 10th Mountain Division Alpine Mountain Men; the US Coast Guard with daring rescues and routine lives that were anything but routine; and the average citizen, pilots facing horrific crash scenes, naval maneuvers offsetting war-meet these unsung heroes, the fabric of our United States of America.

In The Tribute of Blood Peter M. Beattie analyzes the transformation of army recruitment and service in Brazil between 1864 and 1945, using this history of common soldiers to examine nation building and the social history of Latin America’s largest nation. Tracing the army’s reliance on coercive recruitment to fill its lower ranks, Beattie shows how enlisted service became associated with criminality, perversion, and dishonor, as nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century Brazilian officials rounded up the “dishonorable” poor—including petty criminals, vagrants, and “sodomites”—and forced them to serve as soldiers. Beattie looks through sociological, anthropological, and historical lenses to analyze archival sources such as court-martial cases, parliamentary debates, published reports, and the memoirs and correspondence of soldiers and officers. Combining these materials with a colorful array of less traditional sources—such as song lyrics, slang, grammatical evidence, and tattoo analysis—he reveals how the need to reform military recruitment with a conscription lottery became increasingly apparent in the wake of the Paraguayan War of 1865–1870 and again during World War I. Because this crucial reform required more than changing the army’s institutional roles and the conditions of service, The Tribute of Blood is ultimately the story of how entrenched conceptions of manhood, honor, race, citizenship, and nation were transformed throughout Brazil. Those interested in social, military, and South American history, state building and national identity, and the sociology of the poor will be enriched by this pathbreaking study.

The most comprehensive study available of neo-pagan religious movements in North America and Europe. Modern Paganism in World Cultures collects the work of specialists in religion, folklore, and related fields to provide a comprehensive treatment of the movement to reestablish pre-Christian religions. Detailed accounts of the belief systems and rituals of each religion, along with analysis of the cultural, social, and political factors fueling the return to ancestral religious practice, make this a rich, singular resource. Scandinavian Asatru, Latvian Dievturi, American Wicca—long-dormant religions are taking on new life as people seek connection with their heritage and look for more satisfying approaches to the pressures of postmodernism. The Neopagan movement is a small but growing influence in Western culture. This book provides a map to these resurgent religions and an examination of the origins of the Neopagan movement.

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

Black Elder Speaks is a collection of Dr. Frederick Douglas Harper’s poetry and prose on the topics of race, race relations, Black consciousness, Black pride, racial identity, and racism. In addition, Harper speaks from years of acquired wisdom in providing advice and insight on topics of holistic health and rightful living. The book is divided into seven major sections that include (a) Race, Racism, and Racial Struggle, (b) Honoring Black Women, (c) Honoring Black Men, (d) Honoring and Rearing Black Children, (e) Black Culture, Health, and Spirituality, (f) Black Consciousness and Black Pride, and (g) Black Elders Speaks on Life and from Wisdom (for example, on themes of love, peace, giving, forgiveness, purpose, freedom, truth, courage, pain vs. pleasure, and spirituality). The book concludes with a number of wise quotes and thoughts.