WWll – Page 7 – Cindy Hval

No extra charge for tear-stained copy

June 15, 2015 Cindy Hval

It was pretty quiet at the South Hill Hastings store at Friday’s signing event. But then a woman my age stopped to get a book signed. She called her mom over and her mom said she and her husband celebrated their 47th anniversary yesterday .
“He had a stroke seven years ago,” she said. ” I cared for him at home as long as I could, but he finally had to go to a nursing home. So, last night I broiled a steak and made a shrimp salad and took it to his room. We had the most wonderful celebration!”
And then her eyes filled with tears.
And so did mine.
PS: They don’t charge extra for copies dampened with the author’s tears

War Bonds

War Bonds and the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society

June 8, 2015June 8, 2015 Cindy Hval

Had a wonderful time sharing excerpts from War Bonds with the Eastern Washington Genealogical Society on Saturday afternoon. The group was celebrating its 80th anniversary.

The Q&A time was especially interesting as these folks had some thoughtful questions.

We talked about how our stories connect us. Whether it’s learning about our ancestors or celebrating the lives and marriages of members of the Greatest Generation, knowing our stories and sharing them creates a framework for our future.

War Bonds

Thanks for the memories

June 5, 2015June 5, 2015 Cindy Hval

Author Deanna Davis gave a copy of War Bonds to her stepmom and received this lovely thank you note which she shared with me.

Her stepmom writes, “The stories moved me to tears many times remembering your dad and the special relationship we shared.”

Notes like this lift my spirits during this busy and often exhausting season of readings, signings and speaking engagements. The greatest gift you can give an author is to let her know that you connected with the words on the page.

War Bonds

Every 3 minutes we lose a precious piece of history

June 4, 2015June 4, 2015 Cindy Hval

Approximately every three minutes a memory of World War II – its sights and sounds, its terrors and triumphs – disappears.

According to statistics released by the Veteran’s Administration, our World War II vets are dying at a rate of approximately 492 a day. This means there are approximately only 855,070 veterans remaining of the 16 million who served our nation in World War II.

In writing War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation, I was able to preserve the stories of 36 couples– their memories of the war and their reflections on building a lasting love in its aftermath.

Thirty six stories.

A drop in the bucket.

It’s the untold stories that haunt me.

War Bonds

War Bonds on Northwest Profiles: Watch Now!

May 29, 2015May 29, 2015 Cindy Hval

I’m really happy with the work Bob Lawrence and Bill Fitzner did on this segment of Northwest Profiles featuring War Bonds couples Harold and Shirley Tucker and Myrt and Walt Powers.

It’s so wonderful to have video of these special people and to be able to have them share snippets of their stories in their own words.

Click here to see the segment. http://video.ksps.org/video/2365498944/

PS: The War Bonds book giveway sponsored by Spokane Talks Online, is still going on. Enter to win here!

War Bonds

Win a copy of War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation

May 27, 2015 Cindy Hval

Spokane Talks Online is offering a copy of War Bonds in their latest give away!

Simply like the post below on their Facebook page and enter to win.

Local author of the book—”War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation”—Cindy Hval, was a guest on our show, and we are giving away her book for free! Follow instructions below to enter, and check out Cindy’s recording on Business Talks at SpokaneTalksOnline.com

1. Like this post
2. Confirm your entry here (won’t ask for any information, just to agree to rules & confirm: http://tab.fo/wsvcvqz (+ see rules)

For official rules click on the link above.

War Bonds

What Memorial Day Really Means

May 25, 2015 Cindy Hval

For our family Memorial Day has always meant more than a three-day weekend. The holiday used to be called Decoration Day and that’s what we still honor. We deocrate the graves of my father and father-in-law and pause to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country.

Of the men I interviewed for this 2007 story, only two remain.
I’m forever grateful for being able to share their stories.
“We all lost friends at Pearl Harbor,” Daves said. “We don’t need Memorial Day. We remember our friends – every day.”
For those who have no graves to visit– who don’t have family members who served their country- please tell your children what this day really means and allow yourself to be grateful for those who paid the price for your three-day weekend.

War Bonds

Stay Tuned: War Bonds to be featured on Northwest Profiles

May 19, 2015 Cindy Hval

So thrilled that two of the couples featured in War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation will appear in a segment of “Northwest Profiles” a program on KSPS TV.

Here are Harold and Shirley Tucker being interviewed by producer Bob Lawrence. The Tucker’s chapter is titled “Romance on Wheels.”

Have to admit I teared up when Harold said, “We love each other now more than ever.”

Bob Lawrence made sure to get their autographs!

Then it was out to Cheney where Myrt and Walt Powers were interviewed. They have a unique story “The Marine and the Sailor.” Myrt was the Marine. Or is the Marine. As she said, “There are no ‘former’ Marines.”

This six-minute segment will air at 7 PM on Thursday May 28th on KSPS TV. The stations coverage area includes Western Montana to Central Washington and from Oregon north to Central Alberta.

Hope you’ll all tune in to hear and see these amazing people. You’ll be glad you did!

War Bonds

Catching up with a sailor who became a preacher

May 13, 2015 Cindy Hval

I had a wonderful time catching up with James and Helen Loer, today.

Their story is featured in Chapter 7, “From Sailor to Preacher.” I hadn’t seen the Loers since I interviewed them for the book, four years ago. I’m happy to report they are still married, though James assured me during the interview, “I can tell you right now this isn’t going to be romantic!”

The Loers celebrated 67th anniversary in January.

War Bonds

A visit with a reader in Colorado

April 29, 2015 Cindy Hval

Yesterday, I got this note from Casemate Publishers.
“We had a reader call, and she would like to thank you for War Bonds. She was a WWII bride, who recently lost her husband.”
So, I called Gloria in Colorado and we had a lovely visit. She said, “I just finished War Bonds: Love Stories From the Greatest Generation and I wish it was TWICE as long. It just took me back.”

Like so many War Bonds couples, she and her husband met on a blind date. “When he got back to the barracks that night, he told his buddies, ‘I just met the girl I’m going to marry!'” Gloria recalled.

They married only to spend the first year of their life apart as her husband served overseas. “I loved being an Army wife,” she said.”My husband and I lived through all those things you wrote about.He passed away last month at 95. We had 69 happy years together.”

She thanked me for calling. “I just wanted to tell you how much I loved War Bonds. I can’t wait for your next book.”

I hung up the phone, humbled that she’d enjoyed the book enough to call my publisher and tell them. Conversations like this, from people who lived through WWll are a privlege I don’t take lightly.

Thank you, Gloria.