Beth Reece, a former Army writer, now works at the Defense Logistics Agency public affairs office. She recently was recognized for writing the best feature article in the Defense Department in 2008. Beth’s gift is telling behind-the-scenes stories of unsung heroes.

She wrote about a former Nazi POW who then joined the same Army that had liberated him from a concentration camp, and went on to serve in Korea. She told the story of the “flag ladies” who sit in the flag room at the Defense Supply Center in Philadelphia, patiently embroidering the flags used by the President and Vice President.

Reece has learned the value of telling a good story, crafting a tale that everyone can relate to.
A hero doesn’t have to wear a red cape or have amazing super powers. One definition: a person who has shown distinguished courage or ability, admired for brave deeds and noble qualities. ... Read more here

April. This month means spring. New life. Growth.
I didn’t understand the drama of spring time until I visited parts of our country with long, bleak winters.
Where I grew up, winter was wet and green, fading to a gradual hot and brown with the summer sun. But for many places it is just the opposite - the bleakness of winter, complete with dreary colors, blossoms into a palette of color with spring flowers, green grass, and budding trees.
Emerging beauty. Change with hope written through it.
Another word could be redemption. It is interesting that two great world religions, Judaism and Christianity, celebrate holy days in the spring, this year both in April (often religious holy days follow a lunar month, so the days don’t always coincide with our solar calendar).... Read more here

‘Boy, it’s dusty today!’
‘Nice day except for the dust!’
‘I didn’t know it would be so dusty here!’
‘At least it’s cooler with the dust!’
Do these expressions ring a bell with you?
Yes, it’s dusty here in Baghdad this time of year, perhaps more so this year than normal according to one person from the area.... Read more here

Charlie was a man with big, burly hands, broad shoulders, and a mystifying face. His white, wavy hair served as a backdrop to his thick, dark eyebrows hovering over large, expressive dark eyes. He was the kind of man you wouldn’t forget meeting.... Read more here

L-O-V-E — it’s a simple word to spell. But it takes a lot more to do it!
In this month that includes Valentine’s Day, perhaps we should take a fresh look at love. Certainly love includes the romantic side of life, the type of love that is celebrated on February 14th each year. What a neat thing that is!... Read more here