JANESVILLE, Wis. — Dave Sheen wore out his father's World War II field jacket during junior high. But like so many in the baby boomer generation, Dave seldom heard his father, Merle, talk about the war. He remembers Merle saying that wars don't solve anything. They just kill people. And he remembers hearing his father tell his mother that he wanted to return to France, Belgium and the Netherlands someday to see the countries "when they weren't all torn up." Merle never got the chance. The Janesville insurance adjuster died in 1976, before Dave ever asked him about his wartime experiences. But Dave was lucky. His father, who earned the Silver and Bronze stars and Purple Heart, survived some of Europe's most horrific fighting, and the Army kept a paper trail of his push into Germany with the famed 30th Infantry Division, The Janesville Gazette reported. Known as Old Hickory, the 30th Division was regarded as the cream of the crop among U.S. fighting units. The 30th fought at … [Read more...] about Wisconsin man retraces father’s WWII footsteps in Europe
Fight family guy
NBA not looking so fearless in face of China controversy
Former NBA player and Hall of Famer Yao Ming, president of the Chinese Basketball Association, and Joseph Tsai, the new owner of the Brooklyn Nets, denounced Morey’s tweet, which has since been deleted. Several Chinese companies, including the sneaker manufacturer Anta, have either divested from the NBA or threatened to, while a Chinese television network decided not to broadcast the Nets-Lakers games. It was a difficult week for Silver, who has the unenviable job of trying to appeal to a major NBA sponsor and cash cow and also defend his employees’ right to free speech. Meanwhile, many coaches have stayed clear of the issue, including the Celtics’ Brad Stevens, who offered full support of Silver but nothing else. Steve Kerr and Gregg Popovich have expressed support for human rights but not spoken directly on the Chinese issue. There is a collective hush around the NBA. Silver, representing the NBA’s best interests, is hoping this situation blows over and … [Read more...] about NBA not looking so fearless in face of China controversy
The angel on Methadone Mile
You can rest your mind assure That I’ll be loving you always They’re not here because of a medical crisis — not in the way emergency rooms define it. There are no wounds to be tended or surgeries to be performed. There is hunger, addiction, and homelessness along Methadone Mile. A half dozen twentysomethings get out of the car and get to work. They hand out bottled water, ripe bananas, and freshly cooked protein pasta primavera. “Are you hungry?” “You want some pasta?” “How about a banana?” Every Sunday since June, Celsea Tibbitt has cooked and delivered a couple hundred meals each week. She’s given out over 1,800 meals in four months with just a few friends. People on the sidewalks, some coming from Methadone Mile and nearby parking lots where Bostonians experiencing homelessness and addiction gather, are grateful. Some put the food in their backpacks. Others go tell friends so they can eat. A few find a … [Read more...] about The angel on Methadone Mile