At this busy time of year (Merry almost Christmas!), I have been so happy to get some feedback from readers in the process or having completed reading The Heart of a Soldier! Very hopeful that this continues! I gathered some comments from email and texts I’ve received as well as conversations I’ve had with readers that I know. It’s been interesting to hear about the readers’ own relatives who served during World War II and their sharing of their soldier’s war and post war experiences and memories. I’m sure that my father’s letters might be quite similar to other soldiers’ letters. However, over the course of writing The Heart of a Soldier and talking to people about it, so many people have told me that a family member had some letters but now the family no longer has them or only kept a few. Hope that The Heart of a Soldier can give all readers a glimpse into the life of the WWII soldier and their thoughts and feelings. I’m sure they all missed their homes and the good old USA so much particularly at this time in 1944 when they were about to enter The Battle of the Bulge!! So here are some excerpts and descriptions from texts, emails and conversations regarding The Heart of a Soldier and thank you to all who shared these!! “I just finished reading the book. All I can say is outstanding.” “Great job” I LOVE IT! I couldn’t put it down! Stayed up till 5 am one night reading and 2 am another night! I can’t believe all your research! I have learned so much! Everyone should read this! (Paraphrased as she excitedly shared with me but Love her train of thought! LOL!) “Your book is amazing El! What an intro and forward! I am on the first chapter. I had no idea you did so much research on WWII” “Phenomenal research!” “If history books were written like this, I would have paid attention. This is awesome! Not liking it -- Loving it!” “…succinctly, it was superb. I used one word to balance out your thousands.” Finished reading it on Friday. There were times reading it I couldn’t put it down. Great book El. !!!

December 7th. 1941

Remembering our country and the lives lost and changed forever, on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. This headline is included in The Heart of a Soldier, courtesy of Williamstown American Legion Post 239. During the midst of writing this, I attended a dear friend's party being held at this Post. I walked in and was surrounded by historic newspaper headlines framed and hung all around the room. I felt like I had stepped back into the time period that I had been extensively researching. It was both deeply moving and somewhat surreal. I don't think many adults can think of this date and it's impact on this country, it's soldiers and citizens during World War II and not be moved. We were and are quite a country. Giving thanks for this country and those who stepped up to defend the USA and the Allied countries during WWII, and thankful for those who continue to defend this great country even today. #WWII #Memoir #LoveStory #WW2 #veteran #veterans #Soldiers #ww2history #worldwar2 #worldwarii #worldwartwo #worldwar2history #worldwariihistory #Pearl #pearlharbor

The MoMmY-Go-RoUnd is a Mom's Choice Awards Recipient!!

Excited to share that The MoMmY-Go-RoUnD is a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for parents and educators and is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. Using a rigorous evaluation process, entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media trust the MCA Honoring Excellence seal when selecting quality products and services for families and children.

When D is For Deployed

Available Now on Amazon! Stay tuned for future locations!

For immediate release: Author's new book receives a warm literary welcome. Readers' Favorite announces the review of the Children - Social Issues book "When D is For Deployed" by Eleanor D. Alspaugh, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09RP2NC14. Readers' Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the "Best Websites for Authors" and "Honoring Excellence" awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies. "Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite It’s never easy to have one of your parents sent overseas. When you’re young, you want your family close. But those who work in the military, both men and women, have to accept assignments far from home. That’s what it means to be deployed. One small girl is learning what it means for her daddy to be deployed. She can only see her daddy on the tiny screen of her mama’s phone. Through phone conversations, father and daughter try to keep the connection, but the excitement of welcoming her daddy home is slightly overshadowed by the fact that suddenly he looks so much bigger than his image on the phone. With patience, the two resume their father-daughter loving relationship. Eleanor D. Alspaugh’s picture book story, When D is For Deployed, is a touching look at military family life from a young child’s perspective. The author follows a young girl as she carries on with her life with her mama during her daddy’s deployment and the two share stories and special times over the phone, the lasting bond of love creatively being held together. There are lots of colorful photographs to help document the story and the simple language makes it easy for an early young reader to follow along. This is a touching story that will introduce the difficulties young military children face when one of their parents is deployed. Not only will military children appreciate the sentiments in this story, but non-military children will also learn what it’s like to have an absent parent for long periods of time. Beautiful and heartwarming story." You can learn more about Eleanor D. Alspaugh and "When D is For Deployed" at https://www.readersfavorite.com/book-review/when-d-is-for-deployed where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages. Readers' Favorite LLC Media Relations Louisville, KY 40202 800-RF-REVIEW support@readersfavorite.com https://readersfavorite.com

Remembering the Man With The Heart of a Soldier

October 9, 1944 will always be a date to remember in my Father’s life. This is the date my Dad, 1st Sgt. George Donald, was wounded during WWII. And certainly, had things gone differently, I might not have been here to write this or his book that I call The Heart of a Soldier which I have been working on for a number of years. His action, bravery and determination to save his fellow soldiers that day earned him the Silver Star as well the Purple Heart. After he recovered, he rejoined his unit, the 44th Armored Infantry Battalion, part of Gen. Patton’s Sixth Armored Division, in time to serve during the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his action and leadership in that battle. Anyone that knew my Dad, knew him to be a quiet, sweet, fun-loving man, not the tallest man and probably not someone that you would ever suspect was considered a war hero. However, as the expression goes, he had the right stuff. In all the research I’ve done for The Heart of the Soldier, I’m amazed at the challenges those serving faced and overcame. In my Dad’s case, as part of the Normandy invasion, they landed in July, 1944. There were many days of fighting but on October 9th, their platoon was ambushed in France and there were 20 casualties, including the platoon leader who was killed. My Dad told us that the tanks were behind them, unaware of the ambush since the area they were moving through was considered secure. My Father knew they needed to alert the tank unit of the need for support. With little to no cover, Dad had to dive behind the only thing available, a farmer's field of cabbage plants. In the process, he was shot 3 times, once through the nose and also through his shoulder and arm but this did not stop him. My Mom would then always tell us that the Germans were aiming for his head as they knew what he was trying to accomplish. The Silver Star citation said that under heavy enemy fire, he rallied the remainder of the platoon and led them forward and that he led a section of tank destroyers into his area to cover his men while they took up new positions. Although wounded, he continued to lead until he was eventually evacuated due to his injuries. "His aggressive leadership and gallantry are in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Infantrymen." I’m very happy to share on this anniversary of my Father’s wounding, that The Heart of a Soldier will be published in early 2022. The Heart of a Soldier centers around Dad's letters written home during the war, my parents' wartime love story, as well as the path and experiences of Patton’s Sixth Armored Division. To provide background to the letters Dad wrote, the book also includes excerpts and discussion of select World War II historical events from both the European Theater and the Pacific Theater where my uncles also bravely served. It is my hope to honor not only my father and mother, but also my uncles and others from that generation. The Heart of a Soldier also includes excerpts from some of my uncles’ letters and letters from a couple of my parents’ friends who also served. The book definitely provides some insight into the lives of the many soldiers and civilians so greatly impacted by WWII. With so many lives lost during that war, I know my Dad and our family were truly blessed during those war years, even those of us who were at the time still just a “twinkle in my parents’ eyes.” Stay tuned for more updates!!

Sharing the Post of a Dear Friend In Need of a Kidney

Cindy, on right -- Not being forced to hold my book <3

Sharing a post from one of my dear childhood friends who is in need of a kidney.   We lived on the same road and have shared so many wonderful times together!  I was in her wedding with another dear childhood friend we lost to cancer in our thirties.  I have since survived breast cancer.  After too many years living far apart,  Cindy Marrone Cortina and my niece Rachel Staub  and I had such fun and they were both so supportive and helpful when I received my Readers’ Favorite book award.  But our history as friends is so much deeper than that with our shared memories with our families and especially our parents. I’ll be praying for Cindy and please also pray and spread the word for her need by sharing this. Thank you!! ️

My friend Cindy Marrone Cortina ‘s personal post shared the following : 

I don’t post very often but today I’m asking for your help and prayers. This is very difficult, but I will get right to the point - I need a kidney and am reaching out in case anyone knows of someone that is interested in being a living donor. I have renal failure due to polycystic kidney disease, which caused my kidneys to be filled with cysts. I will be on dialysis soon and I’m terrified since dialysis is very hard on the body and can cause many additional serious health issues. Polycystic kidneys is a hereditary disease that caused me to lose several uncles, cousins, my brother and father - all while on dialysis. Since I am very healthy otherwise, a transplant is a very good option for me and will allow me to live a full life. I have had many wonderful friends/family step up to try to donate (without being asked) and unfortunately all were denied for various reasons. Needless to say, this has been an extremely emotional roller coaster for the last 6 months for all of us and I am so grateful to have these special people in my life. Donors cannot have had cancer, diabetes, kidney stones, un-treated high blood pressure or low kidney function. I am A+ but a match is not necessary. Donors are screened carefully and are not approved if there are any risks for them. All medical costs for the donor are paid by my health insurance. Donor surgery is done laparoscopically, so recovery is not long and donors go on to lead a full unaffected life. I am currently registered at Cleveland Clinic and Miami Transplant Institute (Jackson), but I’m only going to continue at Miami since they have a much bigger program. Attached is the link for the donor sign up - and also a link to the website for anyone that wants to learn more. I would really appreciate if you could spread the word and share this in case someone wants to donate. There are special people out there that will give the gift of a kidney to a stranger so please help me get the word out. I am grateful for any help you can provide.

https://www.mtilivingdonor.org

https://transplant.jacksonhealth.org/programs/kidney-transplant/

The 75th Anniversary of October 9, 1944...A day that lives on in my heart...

This will always be a special day to me and so yes, I'll post this once again. October 9, 1944 is the date my Dad was wounded during WWII. His action that day earned him the Silver Star as well the Purple Heart. He later was awarded the Bronze Star for action during the Battle of the Bulge. Anyone that knew my Dad, knew him to be a quiet, sweet, fun loving man, and not someone that you would ever suspect was considered a war hero. In all the research I’ve done for The Heart of the Soldier, I’m amazed at the challenges those serving rose above and accomplished. In my Dad’s case, as part of the Normandy invasion, they landed in July, 1944. There were many days of fighting but on October 9th, their platoon was ambushed in France and there were 20 casualties, including the platoon leader who was killed. My Dad told us that the tanks were behind them, unaware of the ambush since the area they were moving through was considered secure. My Father knew they needed to alert the tank unit of the need for support. With little to no cover, Dad had to dive behind the only thing available, a farmer's field of cabbage plants. In the process, he was shot 3 times, once through the nose and also through his shoulder and arm but this did not stop him. My Mom would then always tell us that the Germans were aiming for his head as they knew what he was trying to accomplish. The Silver Star paperwork said that under heavy enemy fire, he rallied the remainder of the platoon and led them forward and that he led a section of tank destroyers into his area to cover his men while they took up new positions. Although wounded, he continued to lead until he was eventually evacuated due to his injuries. "His aggressive leadership and gallantry are in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Infantrymen." On a lighter note, when he awoke, he was actually found himself to be in the part of the hospital where the German soldiers were treated. We always suspected that it was due to his ruddy Scottish complexion. Anyway, he asked for a cup of coffee and the nurses went into shock, then action, when they heard him speak English. They immediately rushed to get him out of that section. 

I was actually working on The Heart of a Soldier today, my book in process that centers around Dad's letters written home during the war, my parents' love story, as well as the path and experiences of the Sixth Armored Division, serving under General Patton, and select World War II history. The latter two to provide some background as to what was going on as he wrote the letters.  While this book is still being fine-tuned, it is my goal that it will be published prior to the 75th Anniversary of the end of World War II in 2020.  I hope the book honors my Father and Mother, and others from that generation, particularly a few of my Uncles who also served. I’ve included excerpts in the book from some of their letters and a couple of my parents’ friends who served too.  Hopefully the book gives some insight into the lives of the many soldiers and civilians so greatly impacted by WWII.  With so many lives lost during that war, I know my Dad and our family were truly blessed during those war years, even those of us who were at the time still just a “twinkle in my parents’ eyes” as the saying goes.  Love and miss you Dad and you too Mom. Note: I’m proud to add that my father, 1st Sergeant George Donald (December 20, 1914 – October 7, 1995) was awarded the Bronze Star and the Silver Star for Valor in saving 15 to 20 men’s lives and received the Purple Heart for the three bullet wounds through his nose and shoulder in 1944. He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge and served in General Patton’s Sixth Armored Division, 44th Armored Infantry Battalion.