The inspiration for An Ozarks Homecoming began when I stood along side the road and watched the procession bringing CPL Donald Eugene Matney home to Seymour MO. I'd never seen support such as CPL Matney received on his journey. Even his Uncle commented in a presentation he gave at the Broomfield Veterans Museum in April of 2017 how the state of Missouri did his nephew (his wife's nephew) proud.
From what I understand, nearly every overpass from St. Louis to Seymour had people lined up with flags and saluting as he passed below. I didn't realize at the time the importance of that motorcade, only that a serviceman was coming home. Here's a news clip from one of our local new stations KY3 (Springfield MO)
You only need to see the first 6 minutes or so.
By the time I'd driven the ninety minutes back home (I was on my way home from Springfield) I had a story idea in my head. My brain always goes to the 'What If... " when something catches my attention.
The main reason the United States got involved in Korea was the purpose of doing everything possible to keep communism from spreading around world. *
United Nations Security Council Resolution 82 was a measure adopted by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on June 25, 1950. The resolution demanded North Korea immediately end its invasion of South Korea **
The resolution called on the North to immediately halt its invasion and to move its troops back to the 38th parallel. Seen as a diplomatic victory for the United States, the resolution was completely ignored by North Korea. This brought the UN and the US to take further action, setting the state for massive international involvement and the expansion of the Korean War.
The Korean Conflict was not suppose to be an all-out war. We were to be a police action... at least that's what the government told our boys.
In my research I learned so much about the Korean War and how our boys coming home failed to receive the welcome they should have. Very little is said about WW1. We hear about the economy boosts after WWII and what a political fiasco the Vietnam War was - the deplorable conditions for our soldiers, yet the Korean War truly has become 'the forgotten war'. After doing my research, I won't ever forget what our boys went through only to be treated as if their sacrifice didn't matter.
The following video is actually in regards to a WWII veteran but I wanted to share - This Old Army Hat by Bill Anderson.
As readers we think (or at least I've heard) that writing a book is easy. For those authors who are pumping out 4-6 books a year I just can't imagine. Do they not do anything but write? No other interests?
I have always had some experience, feeling, something to draw from and to add a dimension to my stories. With An Ozarks Homecoming, I started with a clean slate. The closest I have to experience with this book is 1) my passion for all things Eureka Springs and 2) my desire to in some way, pay my respects to Corporal Donald Matney, the Korean War Veteran who inspired the secondary story line.
For those of you who are authors, you'll understand what I'm about to say next. The Hero, Marc, informed me last night that his last name can NOT be the same as the Veteran, because his mother (the daughter of the late Cpl. Sterling) married. Marc's name would be that of his parents... not his mother's maiden name. (As I repost this I realize I've still not addressed this in the story. Hmm)
My strongest desires for this book are to do justice to Cpl, Matney and his family, to pay honor our Veterans, and to put out the very best book I can.
I'm going to be reposting older content. For one reason, I may have followers that have not seen them. The other reason is bring posts related to my current work in progress to the foreground. I'm getting closer to finishing An Ozarks Homecoming so it's time to bring some things back - refreshing both your memory (if you've been following me awhile) and my own. At almost sixty-five, this brain isn't always what it used to be in some areas.
Future posts will run on Wednesdays and the conference/ contest items will run on Thursdays, when available.
EDITED FROM JANUARY 2019 - How it all began.
I don't think I've told any of you yet, but Book 2 is centered around a young couple brought back together (there's that 2nd chance thing) through the events surrounding bringing home the remains of a Korean War Vet. I got the idea two years ago as I stood by the side of the road in solemn respect of a procession carrying Crpl. Donald Matney home to Seymour MO. Something about this young man spoke to me. While I've never believed in visiting someone at a cemetery, I find myself stopping by his resting place almost every time I travel through on my way to Springfield.
They say 'write what you know'. Many of my stories are influenced by my own personal experiences. I'm struggling with Book 2 because I really don't have anything to pull from. The other challenge I have is making sure I get all of the military information correct. I do not want to dishonor our service men and women by misrepresenting something.
Today's post is the last in this series about Cpl. Donald Matney. In the previous video, Tom gave kudos for the respect and the coverage given to his nephew's homecoming.
This video is the presentation from one of our news stations out of Springfield MO.
In keeping with the 'An Ozarks....' theme in my titles, the Soldier's Homecoming has become finalized as An Ozarks Homecoming... since I have two military men coming home in the story.
I first told you about how the germ of this story came about in THIS POST, introducing Cpl. Donald Matney.
I can't fathom the despair learning your son or daughter isn't coming home. Compound that heartache with not knowing where they even are! MIA - Missing In Action leaves a lot of questions unanswered for families.
Did you know that the Korean War was the first war where they returned remains to the US? Yet, they still refer to Korea as 'the forgotten war'.
Donald Matney's family never gave up. His niece, Sandy, grew up seeing her uncle's picture on the wall and asking 'who is that?' As she grew older and identifying remains in the Punch Bowl in Honolulu became a thing, she and her husband (Tom Gormley) began the long process of finding Donny and bringing him home. Tom has been invaluable in my research, both through his video presentation at the Broomfield Veteran's Museum in Broomfield Colorado and providing actual documents through email.
Beginning today, and for the subsequent four weeks, I'm going to share the video presentation from Tom. If you have someone you've been trying to find, perhaps the Gormley's story will give you direction. Along the way you'll get an inside look as to what those men and women in Korea endured on what was only to be a 'Police Action'.
Beginning today, I will be sharing things about my current work in progress (WIP)
The inspiration for An Ozarks Soldier's Homecoming began when I stook along side the road and watched the procession bringing CPL Donald Eugene Matney home to Seymour MO. I'd never seen support such as CPL Matney received on his journey. Even his Uncle commented in a presentation he gave at the Broomfield Veterans Museum in April of 2017 how the state of Missouri did his nephew (his wife's nephew) proud.
From what I understand, nearly every overpass from St. Louis to Seymour had people lined up with flags and saluting as he passed below. I didn't realize at the time the importance of that motorcade, only that a serviceman was coming home. Here's a news clip from one of our local new stations KY3 (Springfield MO)
You only need to see the first 6 minutes or so.
By the time I'd driven the ninety minutes back home (I was on my way home from Springfield) I had a story idea in my head. My brain always goes to the 'What If... " when something catches my attention.
The main reason the United States
got involved in Korea was the purpose of doing everything possible to keep
communism from spreading around world. *
United Nations Security Council Resolution 82 was a measure adopted by
the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on June 25, 1950. The resolution
demanded North Korea immediately end its invasion of South Korea **
The resolution called on the North
to immediately halt its invasion and to move its troops back to the 38th
parallel. Seen as a diplomatic victory for the United States, the resolution
was completely ignored by North Korea. This brought the UN and the US to take
further action, setting the state for massive international involvement and the
expansion of the Korean War.
The Korean Conflict was not suppose to be an all-out war. We were to be a police action... at least that's what the government told our boys.
As I researched for An Ozarks Soldier's Homecoming, I learned so much about the Korean War and how our boys coming home failed to receive the welcome they should have. Very little is said about WW1. We hear about the economy boosts after WWII and what a political fiasco the Vietnam War was - the deplorable conditions for our soldiers, yet the Korean War truly has become 'the forgotten war'. After doing my research, I won't ever forget what our boys went through only to be treated as if their sacrifice didn't matter.
The following video is actually in regards to a WWII veteran but I wanted to share - This Old Army Hat by Bill Anderson.
