I really enjoyed reading this. How did you learn about Milton Lee Olive III?
This really made me contemplate how I use my words. I imagine this must have so hard to let go:
"I think he remembered the three choices he gave his son — to either go to school, go to work or into the military,” Strausberg told the Chicago Tribune. “I think he grieved himself to death. The only peace he could find would be in making sure his son's story remains alive."
Thanks, Reginald. I believe I learned of him via a blurb in a "This Day in History" email from History.com, and I knew I wanted to write something around the time of his birthday. And then I started looking for information, and one story/tidbit kept leading to another. It just kept going and going and getting more and more interesting. And I agree about that last quote; his poor father and the guilt he must have felt, though no one could have known how bad it was when Milton first enlisted. I hope he found some peace in knowing his son's story was still being told. 💕
I love the way you write, Karin..always have. I had never heard of Milton Olive lll before reading this & now you have done your part in keeping his short brave life memory alive. This would’ve been a great piece to have had when the Newseum in DC did an amazing truthful exhibit on the Vietnam War & the stories of soldiers lives who fought. You’re a terrific storyteller!
Thanks so much, Nanci! It means a lot if I can play a part in keeping his memory alive and spreading the word about him. He knew exactly what he was doing in that moment—it's more than just the explosion, he shielded others from shrapnel—and he did it anyway. You're so right in that his story should have been in the Newseum.
Such a wonderful account of a humble man who achieved great things by his sacrifice for others. We need more Olive’s in the world. Thanks for bringing out his story. You are a wonderful writer.
I really enjoyed reading this. How did you learn about Milton Lee Olive III?
This really made me contemplate how I use my words. I imagine this must have so hard to let go:
"I think he remembered the three choices he gave his son — to either go to school, go to work or into the military,” Strausberg told the Chicago Tribune. “I think he grieved himself to death. The only peace he could find would be in making sure his son's story remains alive."
Thanks, Reginald. I believe I learned of him via a blurb in a "This Day in History" email from History.com, and I knew I wanted to write something around the time of his birthday. And then I started looking for information, and one story/tidbit kept leading to another. It just kept going and going and getting more and more interesting. And I agree about that last quote; his poor father and the guilt he must have felt, though no one could have known how bad it was when Milton first enlisted. I hope he found some peace in knowing his son's story was still being told. 💕
Me too 🙏🏾
I love the way you write, Karin..always have. I had never heard of Milton Olive lll before reading this & now you have done your part in keeping his short brave life memory alive. This would’ve been a great piece to have had when the Newseum in DC did an amazing truthful exhibit on the Vietnam War & the stories of soldiers lives who fought. You’re a terrific storyteller!
Thanks so much, Nanci! It means a lot if I can play a part in keeping his memory alive and spreading the word about him. He knew exactly what he was doing in that moment—it's more than just the explosion, he shielded others from shrapnel—and he did it anyway. You're so right in that his story should have been in the Newseum.
Such a wonderful account of a humble man who achieved great things by his sacrifice for others. We need more Olive’s in the world. Thanks for bringing out his story. You are a wonderful writer.
Thanks so much for reading! I agree we need more Olives in the world, hope I can play a part in sharing the stories of those I find along the way.
Yet another great piece! I wish everyone in the country could read about the bravery and selflessness of Milton Lee Olive III.
I wish they could, too. Trying to do my part to spread the word!