Although the first day of fall was a few weeks ago, here in Arkansas we tend to have several false falls until the actual fall. But October means closer to the real fall so I am excited!

Fall Giveaways!

Since fall is my favorite season, I’ve got several giveaways from now until the end of the year! You can go to my social media, follow me and then comment for a chance to win!

Remains is the first book I’m giving away. Here is an excerpt featuring Greer Bennett:

Her alert went up as she pulled her weapon. Goosebumps pricked her neck as her stomach dropped out. Carefully weaving through the row of cars, she stopped and pulled her phone, speed-dialing Rick.

“Yeah?”

“What?

“You called me.” The grizzled voice of Agent Sullivan came out and she groaned as she shoved the phone in her pocket.

Someone was watching, waiting.

“Bennett?” Sullivan’s voice echoed in the night air as she slowly approached her vehickle.

A shiver ran down her neck. She tried to turn but ended up in a chokehold. With a yell, she pulled at the arm with her free hand, then elbowed the man in the sides with no effect.

Stay off the case. Leave it alone,” the deep voice asserted into her ear as her hands pulled on the arm cutting off her air.

Digging deeper will put them in the killer’s crosshairs.

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Football has started, false fall is upon us here in Arkansas and although I know the heat will return, I’m putting up my fall decorations!

When do you start decorating for fall? Are you a Halloween decorator who has black and orange during October and then fall colors in November?

The post It’s the First ‘Ber’ Month! appeared first on Cindy Bonds.

Bradford second from left, top row.

On To Germany

After fulfilling his duties at Fort Hood, Bradford left on a train to New York City in November. From there, he travelled by ship to Germany. It took seven days for him to arrive, most of which he was seasick.

He arrived at Kirch-Goens, a German airbase.  Kirch-Goens became the home of Spearhead, the 3rd Armored Division of U.S. soldiers. Once he arrived, he was assigned to the 2nd MTB within the tank section.  His assignment made him a driver of a medium ton tank.

There are four stations within a tank: driver, gunner, loader and commander. As a driver, Bradford had three periscopes to see out during combat.

“The tank drove like an automatic car. There was a hatch and I could raise my seat up, that way I could see out.”

Here is an example of one of the tanks used in Germany. Bradford would be above the star, looking out as he drove.

The tanks were impervious to most shells because of the thickness of the armor. There is a point at the front where if struck, the shells would bounce off, unless armor piercing shells were being used.

Bradford’s duty within the tank regiment, was to monitor the boarder between Germany and Russia.

“We could see the Russian tanks from the boarder. We were told if something happens, we were supposed to hold the boarder until the others could arrive.”

War Games

While waiting for the threat of invasion, the troops participated in war games in the large area surrounding the camp.

During one of the war games, it had snowed six inches and Bradford was driving the tank at an angle up a steep hill. The new commander on board, ordered Bradford to turn left and go straight up. With the steep climb and the snow, the large tank became like a sled. The tracks started to spin and the tank slid back down, Bradford unable to see behind him or steer.

“We finally came to a stop, the tank levelled off. The commander ordered everyone off but me. I asked what was going on and he said the tracks were four feet over the edge of a bluff. I said, ‘Am I driving it out?’ and he said yes. Then asked if I wanted to get out and look. I said I didn’t want to see how bad it was.”

Putting the tank in low gear, Bradford managed to pull the tank off the edge and everyone climbed back in. The commander told him he could drive it however he wanted to after that.

Stateside

After Bradford’s two years active duty were up, he moved back to his job in Kansas City. The warehouse job with Avon was waiting for him. After a short stint working at a bicycle plant in Little Rock with several other Clinton boys, he moved back to Kansas City with Avon.

Soon after the second move, he met his wife, Suzanne. They dated and he drove back and forth every other week to Clinton to see her until they married. Their life in the city didn’t last long before they moved back to Clinton to start their family.

The Bradford’s were blessed with four sons, three of which served in the military as well.

When I asked Wendell about patriotism in today’s world, he said:

“There needs to be more. American History needs to come back to the schools.”

He asserted that even during the draft, everyone knew they were going to go. It was expected and you went, you did your duty to your country.

I hope you enjoyed Mr. Bradford’s story of his military career.

The post Wendell Lee Part 2 appeared first on Cindy Bonds.

Please go to my Facebook or Instagram pages, follow, like and share for a chance at a signed copy! I’ve got a few other giveaways lined up this month as well. Following my social media ensures you get notified each time a chance to win comes up.

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Good luck and I hope you enjoy!

–Cindy

The post Release Day appeared first on Cindy Bonds.

The beginning of August always points to the beginning of school. I have one in high school and another in junior high so the hunt for new clothes and shoes is on! How do you manage the beginning of each school year?

I also wanted to re-visit an older post regarding a good friend, Wendell Lee Bradford. He recently turned 90 years young! I’ve reposted his story below.

Wendell Lee Bradford from Clinton Arkansas found himself drafted into the Army in 1958. He served his two years to 1960 in the 2nd Armored Division in Germany as a tank driver.

When Wendell left his hometown to meet the other draftees in Little Rock, he found himself in interesting company. Elvis Presley had been drafted at the same time. Coming from Memphis, he was about an hour or so behind Wendell.

“Our bus had to stop at each town to drop off mail and there were girls lined up at each stop, trying to get a look at Elvis. We told them he was on the back of our bus so they would come on board.”

As they made their way to Fort Chaffee for the night, Wendell said he remembers seeing the flash of the photographer’s cameras as Elvis’ bus arrived. The next morning, Elvis was downstairs, handing out autographed pictures to everyone, Wendell received one as well.

Later that day, they all received their haircuts and clothes and as they left, Wendell found himself in line with Elvis. It wasn’t until later, he discovered he had made the pages of Movie Life Magazine.

(Wendell is far left)

Training

The group then left from Fort Chaffee to Fort Hood in Texas for training. After six weeks, the men were allowed to have a car on base. Wendell’s parents drove his ’54 Mercury up so he would have transportation.

After another six weeks, the men were given a three-day pass before being shipped out to Germany. Their only rules were they weren’t allowed to drive more than 150 miles from base.

“Well, I wanted to drive the car back and a guy from Little Rock wanted to go home too. We figured no one would know, so we headed out. Another man from Memphis was going home and said he would pick us up in Little Rock on his way back.”

Wendell got a call the day they were set to leave, his friend from Little Rock said the other guy had already been through and missed them. So, Wendell and his Little Rock friend jumped a bus and rode it all the way back to Texas. Their pass ended at midnight and they arrived at 8 the next morning, AWOL.

“Back then, during wartime, if you were AWOL, it was considered treason and you could be shot. But since nothing was really going on and we already had our orders to go to Germany, they decided to take it easy on us.”

For one long month, the two men stayed behind and were on KP duty and guard duty. They were able to receive their honorable discharges at the end of their service, but didn’t receive their Good Conduct Medal.

Learn more about Wendell and his service to our country on the next post on Friday!

The post August is Here! appeared first on Cindy Bonds.

Independence Day

The celebration of the 4th of July is not only a symbol of the beginning of a new country, but also a symbol of freedom. As you celebrate this weekend with family and friends, consider this: would you be able to celebrate with your loved ones had there been no one to stand up to tyranny and injustice? Would you have the freedom to do so if not the purpose?

We tend to take freedom for granted and I for one am glad there are men and women willing to sacrifice for my freedom. Servanthood is embodied in uniform and I’m proud to know so many willing to sacrifice so much!

Here’s a few I’d like to share:

Michael Rapp my dad.

AJ Rapp “Harpo” my grandpa.

Radio School IN

Navy Life

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