“Come on Texas!”

By Phil Padgett | August 27, 2022 |

The Battleship U.S.S. Texas will be on the move Wednesday, August 31, weather permitting.  A livestream video of Texas getting under tow, August 31, will be available on the Battleship…

Happy D-Day

By Phil Padgett | June 5, 2022 |

And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, But we in it shall be remembered— We few, we happy few, we band…

Return to “Wonderland”

By Phil Padgett | March 11, 2022 |

Finally, after two years of pandemic-imposed absence, a day spent researching at the National Archives in College Park (a.k.a. “Wonderland”)!  Working with the archivists to build the foundation for a…

A Community of Free Nations

By Phil Padgett | February 18, 2022 |

A coincidence almost surely, but within it a profoundly appropriate symbol of united resolve today to protect a Europe whole and free.  Some of the aircraft transporting U.S. forces to…

Eat Local Read Local Book Fair

By Phil Padgett | September 30, 2021 |

Cascade Library’s “Eat local Read Local” book fair returns on Saturday to Loudon County, VA,  October 16, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Address is 21030 Whitfield Place, Potomac Falls,…

Remembering 9/11

By Phil Padgett | September 11, 2021 |

Remembering my classmate, Susan Getzendanner killed in the collapse of the World Trade Center, and all the victims of 9/11 on that terrible day and over the twenty years that…

Happy Birthday, FDR!

By Phil Padgett | January 30, 2021 |

Happy birthday, FDR!  You would recognize our times.  Be certain of this: as we did in your time, we shall prevail again! President Franklin D. Roosevelt celebrates with Harry Hopkins…

Our Face to the World

By Phil Padgett | January 27, 2021 |

Now begins the rebuilding of American leadership in the world.  The right words are being said and the Biden foreign policy team is skilled and experienced.  No one, however, should…

Liberation Then and Now

By Phil Padgett | November 6, 2020 |

The metaphor keeps unfolding in the coincidence of the U.S. presidential election and the run-up to the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, December 16.  On Election…

First Atomic Detonation – 75 Years Ago Today

By Phil Padgett | July 15, 2020 |

Trinity, the first test of an atomic bomb, forever changed our world at Alamogordo, New Mexico, at 0530 local time 75 years ago today, July 16.  Although the first to…