Phil and Ross would occasionally catch a movie in the evenings, but increasingly the duo played bridge against other competitive players on base. [1]

They found their years of working together made for an excellent bridge partnership. Word got around of their prowess at bidding and winning tricks.

General Eisenhower, an avid bridge player, invited the two of them to play at Quarters One[2] from time to time. The joke around Fort Myer was that Eisenhower was planning to snatch them because one of the unwritten qualifications for serving on Eisenhower’s staff was an officer’s ability to play a decent game of bridge.

Phil remembered when Ike told them he had “augmented” his meager cadet stipend playing poker at West Point, but the card game did not sharpen his mind like bridge, a game of “strategy, percentages, and bluff,” the general said. Ike considered anything less than total concentration to be a sacrilege to the game of bridge, but he could become quite animated during the playing of hands.

His wife, Mamie, would serve refreshments for the men as they sipped beverages and chain-smoked during their spirited games, which were always serious competitions.

One time, Mamie bragged to Phil that a world-class bridge expert said her husband was a “fine player.” When Ike was stationed in the Philippines in the mid-1930s, he would play with the country’s president, Manuel Quezon, who called him a “bridge wizard.”

“Do you play bridge with the general?” Phil asked.

“Rarely,” she replied. “He yells at me when I make mistakes,” she added, winking.[2]

~~~~~

[1] Larimore, At First Light, 319.

[2] Quarters 1 at Fort Myer is a historic house on the grounds of Joint Base Myer–Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia. Built in 1899, it has been the residence of Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Army since 1910, notably including George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower and Douglas MacArthur. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1972 and is a contributing element to the Fort Myer Historic District.

[3] Larimore, At First Light, 319-320.

Learn more about my book about my father’s heroics and exploits at Amazon’s First Light page here. You can also read more of my WWII blogs here!

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2025.

December 24, 1945M

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You Version writes this about this new devotion:

Part 2 “Order Your Steps 10 Days to Focus, Guidance, and Wise Decisions

How do you know what step to take next? God rarely reveals the entire journey? He invites you to walk with Him one step at a time.

Over these 10 devotionals, you’ll discover how to trust God when the path is unclear, discern His voice in everyday decisions, and walk forward with faith rather than fear.

This is not about perfect decisions. It’s about faithful direction.

This is Part 2 of 12 in “The Intentional Life: 120 Days to Clarity, Calling, and a Life That Lasts” series.

Here’s the entire upcoming series: with the approximate 2026 release dates

1. May 1 – Organize Your Life – 10 Days to Peace, Purpose, and Priority
2. May 15 – Order Your Steps – 10 Days to Focus, Guidance, and Wise Decisions
3. June 1 – Find Your Purpose – 10 Days to Meaning, Calling, and a Life That Matters
4. June 15 – Stay Organized – 10 Days to Order, Consistency, and Christ-Centered Living
5. July 1 – Stay on Course – 10 Days to Flow, Momentum, and Steadfast Living
6. July 15 – Keep Walking Wisely – 10 Days to Trust, Discernment, and Obedient Steps
7. August 3 – Hold to Your Purpose – 10 Days to Identity, Resilience, and a Life That Lasts
8. August 14 – A Life That Multiplies – 10 Days to Influence, Investment, and Kingdom Impact
9. September 1 – A Life That Outlasts You – 10 Days to Legacy, Devotion, and Eternal Perspective
10. September 15 – Invest in Others – 10 Days to Mentoring, Encouragement, and Spiritual Reproduction
11. October 1- Finish Well – 10 Days to Perseverance, Integrity, and a Life Well Lived
12. October 15 – Fully Surrendered – 10 Days to Rest, Surrender, and Living Fully for God

Here are the other devotions I’ve done for You Version (with over 25,000 subscribers from 164 countries):

General Devotionals

• Discovering the Ancient Faith That Anchors Christianity A 47-Day Devotional to the Cross Through the Nicene Creed click here
• What the Bible Says About – Volume 1 – 12-months of Devotions: click here,
• What the Bible Says About .-  Volume 2 – 6-months of Devotions: click here.
• Calling Abba: 30 Days of Bible-Based Prayers (Month 1): click here.

Seasonal Devotionals

• LENT: A 47-Day Lenten Journey to the Cross Through the Nicene Creed click here
• THANKSGIVING: What the Bible Says About Thanksgiving, Rejoicing, Generosity, and Blessings – 30 days of Devotions:: click here,
• ADVENT: What the Bible Says About Advent – 29 Days of Advent Meditations click here
• CHRISTMAS: What the Bible Says About Christmas – 31 Days of Meditations: click here.

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2026.

The post Just Released — The Intentional Life Part 2 – Order Your Steps – 10 Days to Peace, Purpose, and Priority appeared first on Dr. Walt Larimore.

During this time, with more exposure to caskets, funerals, and salutes from guns and artillery pieces [at Arlington National Cemetery], difficult memories began to explode unexpectedly in Phil’s mind.[1]

He also started to experience an increase in extremely disturbing nightmares. When his mother complained about his infrequent letters, he wrote:

Honest, I promise to try to do better from now on, but
when I get in one of these darn moods where I don’t feel like
writing, there just seems to be no way to get me out.

As Phil became more of a recluse, he lost his appetite for food and friendship. He contemplated seeing a psychiatrist, but with Ross’ encouragement, he met with one of the post chaplains. He found the visits surprisingly encouraging, similar to what he experienced during his chaplain visits at Lawson.

Ross also came by daily and recommended they begin attending the weekly Protestant service and get out together more often for social events around the post. Meeting new people lifted Phil’s spirits, and he found his mood improving.

He focused on pleasures that brought him the greatest joy, such as having lunch with Ross on most days and riding Tuckern, usually when his workday was over. He loved feeding and grooming him afterward.

Phil decided that he didn’t like the name Tuckern—too German- sounding to his ears. He played with a few names in his mind.

First, he thought of “Chugalug,” but then decided that he liked “Chugwater” the best.

Something about that name reminded him of the mighty Mississippi River, so Chugwater he became. As his love grew for this Thoroughbred.[2]

~~~~~

[1] Larimore, At First Light, 319.

[2] Ibid.

Learn more about my book about my father’s heroics and exploits at Amazon’s First Light page here. You can also read more of my WWII blogs here!

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2025.

December 24, 1945M

The post June 3, 1946 — Difficult memories invade Phil’s mind appeared first on Dr. Walt Larimore.

Here are the contents of this month’s newsletter:

9. Past Three Family Newsletters

• May 2026
  • We’ve moved to Georgia and our Colorado home is under contract!
  • Congressional Letter about my father, Philip B. Larimore, Jr. (and other WWII amputees)
  • Sweet note from the publisher about my next book, The Creed
• April 2026
  • We’re moving!
  • Update on The Creed
  • Beta readers praise The Creed
• March 2026
  • Our move to Decatur, GA (in the Atlanta area)
  • Three months of medical procedures
  • New devotions on the YouVersion App
  • Granulated sugar for hiccoughs???
  • Update on my next book, The Creed

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2026

The post Walt and Barb’s Updates — June 2026 appeared first on Dr. Walt Larimore.

On Thursday, May 30, 1946, Memorial Day[1], Phil had his first ceremonial and a small team were assigned to meet President Harry Truman at the White House for a Medal of Honor presentation.[2]

Afterward, the President invited Phil and Ross to ride with him to Arlington National Cemetery for a wreath- laying ceremony at the Tombs. Phil had never seen a United States president before, so this day, especially riding in the presidential limousine, was a highlight for him.

Phil later wrote this to his mother:

As you know, we were quite busy on the 30th   and the day before. We were with the President, so we had to look our best. I enjoyed the pomp and circumstance.[3]

~~~~~

[1] From 1868 to 1970, Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30. The Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved its date to the last Monday of May to increase the number of three-day weekends for federal employees.

[2] Larimore, At First Light, 318.

[3] Ibid.

Learn more about my book about my father’s heroics and exploits at Amazon’s First Light page here. You can also read more of my WWII blogs here!

© Copyright WLL, INC. 2025.

December 24, 1945M

The post May 30, 1946 — Phil’s first meeting with President Truman appeared first on Dr. Walt Larimore.

My dear friend, Mark Elfstrand, the long-time host of The Morning Ride on Moody Radio Chicago and now the Cultural Affairs Writer at Illinois Family Institute, penned a wonderful Memorial Day remembrance that I thought might bless you on this day, the theme of which should be, “Never Forget!”

An Unpayable Debt

You are your children’s most important teacher. They are listening. Explain to your children the price that was paid to stop the evil of fascism and the cancer of Soviet communism.

Tell them why there was a Berlin Wall, what happened at Okinawa, on the beaches of Normandy, at Ground Zero, and over the fields of Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Take a moment to teach your children and grandchildren to love the things we love and to honor the things we honor.

Finally, let’s remind ourselves that liberty is a gift from God and that each generation has paid in flesh and blood to preserve it. As General George Patton said, “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”

Or, as Jeff Foxworthy wrote on FB:

Today we remember the men and women who didn’t come home. Because of their courage and sacrifice, the rest of us get to enjoy the freedoms we too often take for granted. My prayer today is for the families who still feel that empty seat at the table, and my hope is that we never forget the price that was paid. God bless America.

Amen.

Copyright (c) 2026, Mark Elfstrand.

The post An Unpayable Debt – Memorial Day should be a solemn, not another “happy,” holiday appeared first on Dr. Walt Larimore.