NORAD Tracks Santa Operations Center 2007. NORAD Public Affairs, Sgt. 1st Class Gail Braym. The NORAD Santa Tracker, a beloved holiday tradition, has its roots in the Cold War era. What began as a simple mistake turned into a powerful tool for boosting morale during a time of heightened tensions between the United States and…
By Paul Conway Founder Paul J. Conway’s firefighting heritage runs deep through 3 generations. His father, the late Charles B. Conway, served 34 years with the New Berlin, WI Fire Department (21 of them as Fire Chief). Following his father’s footsteps, Paul extended the family legacy from New Berlin to the Milwaukee, WI Fire Department,…
Moses said to the people, “Do not dread, but stand still, and see the great works of God… The Lord will fight for you, but you must keep still.” (Exodus 14:13-24) Stand still. Not as a stone, not as the dull weight of worry nailed to the earth, but as a mountain stands—rooted yet alive,…
Donovan presenting Stephenson with the Medal of Merit in 1946. Photo courtesy of The Intrepid Society, William Stephenson CC MC DFC, famously known by his codename “Intrepid,” played a pivotal role in the formation of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. As a British intelligence officer and the head of the…
Jack Hemingway entered the army as an officer with the military police; but spent most of WWII assigned to the OSS. Photo: Ernest Hemingway Photograph Collection/John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston. Cropped. Jack Hemingway, born John Hadley Nicanor Hemingway on October 10, 1923, was the first-born child of the legendary American author Ernest Hemingway…
The Eternal Child Does Not Relent by Donavon L Riley G.K. Chesterton once wrote that God “has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.” Think of it: not a gray-bearded god slumped on some throne, but a wild and restless youth, scattering stars…
Photo of Cary Grant from the film “North by Northwest” (1959). Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Cary Grant, the iconic British-born American actor known for his suave demeanor and classic films, led a life that was far more intriguing than his on-screen roles. Beyond his Hollywood fame, Grant played a significant role in real-life espionage during one of the most tumultuous…
By Michael Kurcina Mike credits his early military training as the one thing that kept him disciplined through the many years. He currently provides his expertise as an adviser for an agency within the DoD. Michael Kurcina subscribes to the Spotter Up way of life. “I will either find a way or I will make…
Despair Is Worse Than Sin by Donavon L Riley Faith in Christ is a door flung wide, a new sky blooming overhead. But before long, we stumble on another truth: this faith demands that we sit down with ourselves—alone, face-to-face. And this is where the wrestling begins. Sin is no abstract list; it sits in…
Pexels photo by Engin Akyurt. The Vesper cocktail, also known as the Vesper Martini, is a drink that has become synonymous with sophistication and intrigue, thanks to its association with the iconic British spy, James Bond. This cocktail was introduced to the world in Ian Fleming’s 1953 novel, Casino Royale, the first book in the…