*An article in the May 17 edition of the Over the Mountain Journal, "In Memory: Support Our Soldiers Dinner Will Fund Care Packages for Troops Abroad," has the wrong photo for Marine Lance Cpl. Thomas Rivers Jr. The photo printed was of the late Ryan Winslow of Hoover, who was killed while serving in Iraq in 2006.Just more than one year after their son Marine Lance … [Read more...]
Reluctant Hero: First Alabama Vietnam Veteran Reflects on Real Tragedy of Any War
By Lee DavisJim Lawrence’s professorial looks and soft-spoken manner give him the appearance of a college dean or a teacher. In fact, Lawrence has been both. But he is much more than that. The Vestavia Hills resident is a war hero – even though he disputes that description. Lawrence, a Troy native, had just graduated from The Citadel in South Carolina when he decided … [Read more...]
Through a Vet’s Eyes: WWII Vet and Broadcaster Appreciates American Village’s Mission
By Sarah Kuper If you ask Sterling Brewer where he grew up, he won't tell you about his childhood in Nashville. "I grew up in New Guinea and in Japan. At the age of 18 coming in direct contact with the dead, dying and wounded changes you," he said. Brewer was drafted into the Army the week he turned 18. He served as a surgical technician in World War II. With no previous … [Read more...]
WWII Vet Running Coast-to-Coast to Raise Money for Ship Restoration
By Sarah KuperAt 93 years old, WWII veteran Ernie Andrus is on the verge of breaking the record for the oldest person to run from one coast of the United States to the other. Andrus isn't running to break a record, but rather to restore a piece of WWII history. His run is an effort to raise money to help repair the USS LST 325 so it can make the trip back across the … [Read more...]