https://www.talespress.com/blog daily 0.75 2026-02-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1611022412423-47YG8RHOO9L9KJAD0IP5/49054352_1936756213098775_4018073185378369536_n-removebg-preview-removebg-preview.png Ray's Blog https://www.talespress.com/blog/pittman-remembrance-feb-21-in-urbana-81-years-after-being-kia-on-iwo-jima monthly 0.5 2026-02-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/720c4fba-aa33-4725-b743-bd4ff18e7560/MCL+corner.jpeg Ray's Blog - Pittman remembrance Feb. 21 in Urbana – 81 years after being KIA on Iwo Jima - Make it stand out The Richard L. “Dick” Pittman Marine Corps League has a display set up in the VFW Post 630 at 1303 E. Main St., Urbana. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1718384913201-K3ROTHAE0ZEZ8CJIHY33/MCL_Pittman.jpg Ray's Blog - Pittman remembrance Feb. 21 in Urbana – 81 years after being KIA on Iwo Jima - Make it stand out Richard L. “Dick” Pittman https://www.talespress.com/blog/laughter-is-good-medicine monthly 0.5 2026-01-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/7d2c3dce-d12d-4e0a-b73d-dde8c918ea42/Laughing+emoji.png Ray's Blog - Laughter is good medicine - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/urbana-high-school-remembers-wwii-hero-and-former-historynbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbsp-teacher-charles-bazooka-charlie-carpenter monthly 0.5 2025-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/be7495b8-a467-4385-82a6-27d9d061f0e2/Carpenter+Plaque+final.jpg Ray's Blog - Urbana High School remembers WWII hero and former history teacher Charles ‘Bazooka Charlie’ Carpenter - Make it stand out The plaque about Charles Carpenter is displayed at Urbana High School. https://www.talespress.com/blog/100-million-gift-to-university-of-illinois-athletics-a-great-gift-and-a-travesty monthly 0.5 2025-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/914ac412-5c2b-47e4-9cde-b9c7c1e95e86/Memorial+Stadium.jpg Ray's Blog - $100 million gift to University of Illinois Athletics a great gift – and a travesty - Make it stand out Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois https://www.talespress.com/blog/reflections-on-a-life-too-soon-gone monthly 0.5 2025-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1632181347398-6J6WE5IZSWO20H1TAEJ0/rayandjim.jpg Ray's Blog - Reflections on a life too soon gone - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/a-long-ago-afternoon-with-granny-jones monthly 0.5 2025-08-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1c35c657-b529-4b41-a0a7-b556ade659c6/coffee+3.jpg Ray's Blog - A long-ago afternoon with Granny Jones - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/writing-reflections-after-suffering-loss monthly 0.5 2025-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/461ce7c6-6ffc-4fc0-8767-5c67eb591e17/Reflections.jpg Ray's Blog - Writing ‘Reflections’ after suffering loss - Make it stand out “Reflections” by Raquel Ramsey is available at Amazon.com. https://www.talespress.com/blog/reunions-remembrances-continue-80-years-after-sinking-of-uss-indianapolis monthly 0.5 2025-07-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/8f279d41-ed32-43a5-9358-aa6b921d674e/USS+Indianapolis+Memorial.jpg Ray's Blog - Reunions, remembrances continue 80 years after sinking of USS Indianapolis - Make it stand out USS Indianapolis National Memorial is located along its namesake city’s downtown Canal Walk https://www.talespress.com/blog/an-overdue-salute-to-bazooka-charlie monthly 0.5 2025-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/24f99a37-bbf8-4af5-b775-8ef16df88ebd/Bazooka+Charlie.jpg Ray's Blog - An overdue salute to ‘Bazooka Charlie’ - Make it stand out Charles Carpenter, aka “Bazooka Charlie” https://www.talespress.com/blog/nadine-ramsey-one-of-the-often-forgotten-women-airforce-service-pilots-of-world-war-ii monthly 0.5 2025-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/dee7d760-ce77-45a3-be13-38c94fdc2284/nadineramsey.jpg Ray's Blog - Nadine Ramsey: One of the often-forgotten women Airforce service pilots of World War II - Make it stand out Nadine Ramsey https://www.talespress.com/blog/quarters-still-mean-something-today monthly 0.5 2025-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/c707b234-da2b-4a45-a2ad-82c0ccb922a2/push+mower.jpg Ray's Blog - Quarters still mean something today - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/654d68ba-15ee-4852-8f36-ec226a9b1ed2/3+quarters.png Ray's Blog - Quarters still mean something today - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/servicemens-burial-flags-presented-to-local-marine-corps-league monthly 0.5 2025-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/7f6b5c36-edb9-4506-86fa-cc4122b99537/thumbnail_MCL+flag+presentation.jpg Ray's Blog - Servicemen’s burial flags presented to local Marine Corps League - Make it stand out Loda (Illinois) American Legion Commander Ronald Dudley, right, presents the flags on behalf of Norma Pittman to Marine Corps League #1231 Commandant Bill Schultz. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/678d4168-662b-4515-b881-1eaebe5f3fea/thumbnail_IWO+Fifth+Div+Cemetery-2.jpg Ray's Blog - Servicemen’s burial flags presented to local Marine Corps League - Make it stand out The 5th Marine Division cemetery on Iwo Jima after the battle, with Mount Suribachi in the background https://www.talespress.com/blog/thought-provoking-ebert-symposium-precedes-25th-annual-film-festival monthly 0.5 2025-04-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/07104142-7114-4695-8a78-6c891d8c1772/Ebertfest+Marquee.png Ray's Blog - Thought-provoking Ebert Symposium precedes 25th annual film festival - Make it stand out The Virginia Theatre in Champaign, Illinois, is the home of Roger Ebert’s Film Festival. https://www.talespress.com/blog/a-good-novel-comes-to-mind-about-patriots-objecting-to-the-takeover-of-their-country monthly 0.5 2025-03-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/94f79434-a7ea-42e9-b5b8-2b7748969539/Resistors+cover.jpg Ray's Blog - A good novel comes to mind about patriots objecting to the takeover of their country - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/the-ongoing-deplorable-treatment-of-iwo-jima-marine-ira-hayes monthly 0.5 2025-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/92c5f723-dcf7-47b4-9a16-8650e231629d/Iwo+Jima+Flag+Raising_uncropped.jpg Ray's Blog - The ongoing deplorable treatment of Iwo Jima Marine Ira Hayes - Make it stand out Pima Native American and World War II Marine Ira Hayes was among those who raised the second flag atop Mount Suribachi during the grueling 1945 battle of Iwo Jima. The Pulitzer Prize-winning image of that event, taken by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal, inspired a war-weary America and became one of the most famous photographic images in history. References to achievements by minority service members have recently been eliminated by the U.S. Department of Defense. https://www.talespress.com/blog/a-response-to-illinois-governors-proposed-cell-phone-ban-in-schools monthly 0.5 2025-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/cf301e7b-eda2-4184-a7ae-19d4d2f3bd07/Cell+phones.jpg Ray's Blog - A response to Illinois governor’s proposed cell phone ban in schools - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/see-you-at-ebertfest monthly 0.5 2025-03-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/9d5d71b8-aff1-4738-b4eb-7cbc6c5f8275/Searchers.jpg Ray's Blog - See you at Ebertfest - Make it stand out “The Searchers” will be the opening film at this year’s Roger Ebert Film Festival. https://www.talespress.com/blog/making-the-champaign-urbana-area-an-even-better-place-to-call-home monthly 0.5 2025-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/0aab1722-d4f5-4c85-8eb1-fa3a4200b50c/Pike+Place+Market.jpg Ray's Blog - Making the Champaign-Urbana area an even better place to call home - Make it stand out Pike Place Market in Seattle https://www.talespress.com/blog/enjoy-the-gift-of-roger-eberts-film-festival monthly 0.5 2025-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/d14b2f35-a340-4675-83d0-c5dc928c1f51/Ebert+logo.png Ray's Blog - Enjoy the gift of Roger Ebert’s Film Festival - Make it stand out Ebertfest.com https://www.talespress.com/blog/christmas-a-time-of-nostalgia-and-memory monthly 0.5 2024-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/03c504a3-c107-45a2-b593-466286039bf0/santa+2.jpg Ray's Blog - Christmas — a time of nostalgia and memory - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/leatherneck-magazine-article-republished-in-remembrance-of-pearl-harbor-attack monthly 0.5 2024-12-10 https://www.talespress.com/blog/public-service-journalism-educational-if-not-humorous monthly 0.5 2024-11-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/b63ebf68-c89a-4a4c-8520-f525614f13c4/grammar+police.png Ray's Blog - Public-service journalism: Educational, if not humorous - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/reflections-on-veterans-day-in-2024 monthly 0.5 2024-11-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/a84184da-cdc7-4a7d-bc93-ba909a3801c0/2024+Veterans+Day+image.jpg Ray's Blog - Reflections on Veterans Day in 2024 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/remembering-the-memorial-in-champaigns-memorial-stadium monthly 0.5 2024-10-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/72dde03f-7861-4c5d-be80-e02b1688631c/Stadium+columns.jpeg Ray's Blog - Remembering the memorial in Illinois’ Memorial Stadium - Make it stand out Some of the columns at Memorial Stadium that have the names of University of Illinois alumni and students who died in World War I inscribed on them. (News-Gazette photo) https://www.talespress.com/blog/writers-and-fighters-influential-to-kris-kristofferson monthly 0.5 2024-10-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/da18ac2c-41d7-45ec-a751-2a6b7ab4e1dd/Kristofferson_2002_VFauriePhoto.jpg Ray's Blog - Writers and fighters influential to Kris Kristofferson - Make it stand out Kris Kristofferson in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, in 2002 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/b95d36ad-b49a-4e90-9613-14f47cccd749/Kristofferson_Jones_Ebert_2002+copy.jpg Ray's Blog - Writers and fighters influential to Kris Kristofferson - Make it stand out Kris Kristofferson, author Kaylie Jones and film critic Roger Ebert at his annual film festival in Champaign, Illinois, in 2002 https://www.talespress.com/blog/friendship-with-company-commander-of-iwo-jima-flag-raisers-leads-to-new-book monthly 0.5 2024-08-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/cfe5ea2e-c27b-44ba-949d-2d95d44db384/Severance+Painting+sq.jpg Ray's Blog - Friendship with company commander of Iwo Jima flag-raisers leads to new book - Make it stand out Col. Dave E. Severance, USMC (Ret.) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/e27705e2-5e66-4a52-a54a-18b739db6c7a/Severance_2.jpg Ray's Blog - Friendship with company commander of Iwo Jima flag-raisers leads to new book - Make it stand out Ray Elliott visited Severance at his home in La Jolla, California, during family vacations and veterans reunions. https://www.talespress.com/blog/its-time-for-the-next-generation-of-marine-veterans-to-step-up monthly 0.5 2024-06-22 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/6eec6a8d-4209-4960-a7dc-a8f1237c1785/MCL_Pittman.jpg Ray's Blog - It’s time for the next generation of Marine veterans to step up - Make it stand out Richard L. Pittman of Urbana, Illinois, was killed in the World War II battle of Iwo Jima. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/43223ed3-9b52-4afe-a467-bac2c23e6e29/MCL_wall.jpg Ray's Blog - It’s time for the next generation of Marine veterans to step up - Make it stand out Framed documents and artifacts on the wall of the VFW in Urbana, Illinois, attest to the positive impact the local Marine Corps League chapter has had on the community. It is a legacy it hopes to continue with future generations of veterans. https://www.talespress.com/blog/congress-would-do-well-to-give-a-feck monthly 0.5 2024-06-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/2f60c7fc-d443-4466-b986-7008bf6195fe/FECK.png Ray's Blog - Congress would do well to give a FECK - Make it stand out Chaz Ebert’s new book is trying to help make the world a better place. https://www.talespress.com/blog/sometimes-marines-go-off-to-war-and-come-home-in-a-body-bag-sometimes-they-never-come-home monthly 0.5 2024-05-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/f9607f98-3597-4a1e-8af8-e9a2d251f3db/David-William-Skibbe.jpg Ray's Blog - Sometimes Marines go off to war and come home in a body bag; sometimes they never come home - Make it stand out David W. Skibbe https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/19e98b00-c011-4721-be50-2baf3ae55dbe/david-skibbe_wall+of+faces.jpg Ray's Blog - Sometimes Marines go off to war and come home in a body bag; sometimes they never come home - Make it stand out This photo of 2nd Lt. David W. Skibbe, USMC, is featured on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s “Wall of Faces” website. The organization spearheaded the building of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. https://www.talespress.com/blog/trying-not-to-let-the-old-man-in monthly 0.5 2024-05-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/e5e7adb0-40c3-463e-ab76-6ce8eafa80a4/Father+Time.jpg Ray's Blog - Trying not to ‘let the old man in’ - Make it stand out Old Father Time https://www.talespress.com/blog/a-way-of-talkin-ive-heardsince-i-was-bout-knee-high-to-a-grasshopper monthly 0.5 2024-03-15 https://www.talespress.com/blog/my-favorite-meal-really-comes-from-love monthly 0.5 2024-02-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1575a64d-b342-4414-b1f7-e4d53ad81b19/fried+chicken.jpg Ray's Blog - My favorite meal really comes from love - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/stan-the-man-musial-a-true-cardinal-legend monthly 0.5 2023-12-28 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/d5870558-e964-4a9c-a928-1c1a83d54e8c/Musial.jpg Ray's Blog - Stan ‘The Man’ Musial, a true Cardinal legend - Make it stand out Stan Musial commemorative with signed baseball https://www.talespress.com/blog/about-the-sharing-of-a-toothbrush monthly 0.5 2023-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/cc7c6e02-5161-4e2c-8fad-2fdcb8149bc8/toothbrush.jpg Ray's Blog - About the sharing of a toothbrush - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/missing-the-classroom-discussions-from-teaching-days monthly 0.5 2023-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/5319b4b9-f22d-472c-a8c6-6448a7c3bc60/Students_sq.jpg Ray's Blog - Missing the classroom discussions from teaching days - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/in-politics-sometimes-the-ones-most-needed-get-overlooked monthly 0.5 2023-11-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/3eda8876-e323-49f3-83e8-d0aa2be510d7/Gwinn+at+Moonshine_1983.jpg Ray's Blog - In politics, sometimes the ones most needed get overlooked - Make it stand out Congressional candidate John Gwinn meets with patrons at the Moonshine Store in Martinsville, Ill., in 1983. https://www.talespress.com/blog/life-recalls-howard-beales-rant-in-the-1976-movie-network monthly 0.5 2023-11-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/df31d050-a42e-4082-aeec-c4e319605344/GDJ-Global-Peace.svg.png Ray's Blog - Life recalls Howard Beale’s rant in the 1976 movie, ‘Network’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/rpwszq9txv5umpr09b8r0vbu5zls39 monthly 0.5 2023-10-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/65f3ff8c-c27d-49bd-b1ed-c46a81deb3ac/Iwo+Jima+Flag+Raising_square.jpg Ray's Blog - Effort to name Navy ship after AP photographer Rosenthal gaining traction - Make it stand out Joe Rosenthal’s iconic photograph of the second flag-raising atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima during World War II. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/963d7299-29f0-4d49-a76f-d7af71327bdc/JOE+ROSENTHAL1990NancyWong+copy.jpg Ray's Blog - Effort to name Navy ship after AP photographer Rosenthal gaining traction - Make it stand out Joe Rosenthal in 1990. (Photo by Nancy Wong) https://www.talespress.com/blog/guest-blog-john-butler-on-the-loss-of-his-father-in-wwii-echoed-in-one-of-my-characters monthly 0.5 2023-07-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/d465310c-33d8-4f6a-9f8d-9ba07156b37b/butler1.jpg Ray's Blog - Guest Blog: John Butler on the loss of his father in WWII, echoed in one of my characters - Make it stand out Seven-year-old John Butler has his father's posthumous Navy Cross medal pinned to his white T-shirt by a Navy admiral in the family's Florida home. A framed photo of John's father, Lt. Col. John A. Butler, is on the mantle behind them. (Photo courtesy of John Butler) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/ad076b47-32bb-43c9-96ee-e84466cc7f80/butler2.jpg Ray's Blog - Guest Blog: John Butler on the loss of his father in WWII, echoed in one of my characters - Make it stand out The admiral presenting the Navy Cross to the Butlers shakes the hand of John Sr.’s widow (Photo courtesy of John Butler) https://www.talespress.com/blog/waving-hello-simply-to-be-friendly monthly 0.5 2023-07-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/2ac82e4b-f866-40fe-8bd2-8a6492a9944b/wave.jpg Ray's Blog - Waving hello simply to be friendly - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/behavior-issues-in-high-school-and-a-fathers-reaction monthly 0.5 2023-06-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/286dcdc8-eed3-4719-bce3-744ca2f78f67/fencerow.jpg Ray's Blog - Behavior issues in high school and a father’s reaction - Make it stand out Image: Phil Roeder https://www.talespress.com/blog/remember-history-with-courage-to-make-a-better-future monthly 0.5 2023-06-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/eead9417-2b6e-402e-afc0-ea20c5dae9c2/couragetoremember.jpeg Ray's Blog - Remember history with courage to make a better future - Make it stand out The exhibit title poster at the Elks Lodge https://www.talespress.com/blog/general-store-times-over-but-not-forgotten monthly 0.5 2023-01-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/90c4fdb2-450d-4e19-98bb-f00b7fdb3c6d/generalstore.jpg Ray's Blog - General store times over, but not forgotten - Make it stand out A drawing of the Bellair, Ill., General Store https://www.talespress.com/blog/insights-and-updates-on-eternity monthly 0.5 2022-12-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/6327517b-b54b-415c-a073-0b9db865fae4/stuartbrayson.jpg Ray's Blog - Insights and updates on ‘Eternity’ - Make it stand out 'From Here to Eternity--The Musical' composer Stuart Brayson outside the Charing Cross Theatre in London https://www.talespress.com/blog/former-student-endures-more-than-her-share-of-challenges monthly 0.5 2022-12-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/d9e1d4a8-b306-465c-b2e2-80e5794f6849/1.jpg Ray's Blog - Former student endures more than her share of challenges - Make it stand out Sarah Brenner and me back when she was in school https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/ff002b19-e0d4-4c58-9989-97f5fe1cb084/1-1.jpg Ray's Blog - Former student endures more than her share of challenges - Make it stand out Sarah Brenner https://www.talespress.com/blog/participate-in-operation-green-lightfor-veterans-nov-7-13 monthly 0.5 2022-10-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/b684aa56-6949-4287-abdf-548cfa1f4769/greenlight.jpg Ray's Blog - Participate in Operation Green Light for veterans Nov. 7-13 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/how-tootsie-rolls-saved-marines-during-the-korean-war monthly 0.5 2022-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/a93af4e3-1ea6-4a60-ae15-bf71b2310962/tootsieroll.jpg Ray's Blog - How Tootsie Rolls saved Marines during the Korean War - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/jeffs-pirates-cove-a-peaceful-place-in-a-tropical-paradise monthly 0.5 2022-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/7cc6b4e0-3bb9-4586-9de5-723b5ab85965/jeffspiratescove.png Ray's Blog - Jeff’s Pirates Cove: A peaceful place in a tropical paradise - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/4bcaa294-0732-4bf5-be98-7e6bd45c8005/jeffspiratescove2.jpg Ray's Blog - Jeff’s Pirates Cove: A peaceful place in a tropical paradise - Make it stand out Jeff Pleadwell of Jeff’s Pirates Cove https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/8fbb7d75-6d6b-4713-bca0-1ca18ae645d5/jeffspiratescove3.jpg Ray's Blog - Jeff’s Pirates Cove: A peaceful place in a tropical paradise - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/recalling-times-with-a-lifelong-frienda-brother monthly 0.5 2022-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/b4af8f1f-15c5-4fc6-b78d-9a0547f19b20/lloyd.jpg Ray's Blog - Recalling times with a lifelong friend—a brother - Make it stand out Lloyd Askew displayed some of his many machines and artifacts of Singer products at a showcase in 2018. He became an expert on Singer Featherweight machines and was fascinated by the history and culture of the sewing machine company as part of the Industrial Revolution. (Road to California Inc. photo) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1005d1e4-68c7-465b-9754-5880d355eb18/lloyd2.jpg Ray's Blog - Recalling times with a lifelong friend—a brother - Make it stand out The small sewing machine Ryan Breidenbach had specially painted to commemorate Lloyd and the business he created around his passion. https://www.talespress.com/blog/memory-of-a-neighbor-back-in-the-day monthly 0.5 2022-07-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/e2fa629b-0a6b-4275-b774-718da4647f30/rosstrigg.jpg Ray's Blog - Memory of a neighbor back in the day - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/80fd0a37-13ef-409e-85d6-692e388fa9a1/rosstrigg2.jpg Ray's Blog - Memory of a neighbor back in the day - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/author-james-jones-family-legacy-meets-fifth-marine-division-legacy monthly 0.5 2022-06-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/58fb37a7-54c9-4b66-b5be-dbcc4328893a/raykaylieeyrna.png Ray's Blog - Author James Jones’ family legacy meets Fifth Marine Division legacy - Make it stand out From left: Ray Elliott with Iwo Jima Navy veteran Juan Montano and Eyrna Jones-Heisler https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/18a7932d-b5fc-4ffd-a60c-a922734b857b/kayliejones.png Ray's Blog - Author James Jones’ family legacy meets Fifth Marine Division legacy - Make it stand out Author Kaylie Jones https://www.talespress.com/blog/reasonable-gun-laws-are-not-in-conflict-with-our-rights monthly 0.5 2022-06-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/fb651726-daf9-4a90-9a82-03188e26d418/ar15.jpg Ray's Blog - Reasonable gun laws are not in conflict with our rights - Make it stand out An AR-15, as was used in recent mass shootings https://www.talespress.com/blog/new-iwo-blasted-again-review-the-horrors-of-combat-with-a-poets-awe monthly 0.5 2022-03-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1d0f13f9-4ac8-4c15-8cea-2906de24bfa5/iwoblastedagain.jpg Ray's Blog - New “Iwo Blasted Again” review: “The horrors of combat with a poet’s awe” - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/documentary-screening-highlights-groups-important-work-of-recovering-americas-missing-in-action monthly 0.5 2022-02-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/6f54a9fc-43e3-4556-b5f0-bf21ec349557/projectrecover.jpg Ray's Blog - Documentary screening highlights group’s important work of recovering America’s Missing in Action - Make it stand out Image courtesy of Project Recover https://www.talespress.com/blog/he-was-in-the-war-son-more-on-my-cousin-sgt-bruce-elliott monthly 0.5 2022-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/2610030e-7617-4ae6-858f-0b2f1140e0d3/bruceelliott.jpg Ray's Blog - “He was in the war, son”: More on my cousin Sgt. Bruce Elliott - Make it stand out My cousin, Bruce Elliott, in his WWII Army uniform https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/89545bd1-b6a8-48f7-948f-185417ffd63d/bruceelliott2.jpg Ray's Blog - “He was in the war, son”: More on my cousin Sgt. Bruce Elliott - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/remembering-a-good-man-who-left-a-great-example monthly 0.5 2021-12-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/78af2aa2-c121-4391-8787-9357008f3ec5/slatstrower.jpg Ray's Blog - Remembering a good man who left a great example - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/moonshine-for-moon-burgers-not-moon-pies monthly 0.5 2021-12-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/437d91ea-dd85-4290-bbb8-5466d990909f/moonshine.jpg Ray's Blog - Moonshine for ‘moon burgers,’ not moon pies - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/i-like-to-think-every-day-is-veterans-day monthly 0.5 2022-02-05 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/4bf723df-92b4-457b-bcea-c5c7d1de24c0/veteransday2021.jpg Ray's Blog - I like to think every day is Veterans Day - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/dads-on-duty-make-a-difference-at-school monthly 0.5 2021-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1635726304779-QCZR824GO2OSUH15DER8/dadsonduty.jpg Ray's Blog - ‘Dads on Duty’ make a difference at school - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/you-can-go-home-again-sorta monthly 0.5 2021-11-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1634081807550-WMASAPPGGVKT9JH52737/bellairstore.jpg Ray's Blog - You can go home again, sorta - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/a-portrait-of-a-man-long-since-gone monthly 0.5 2021-10-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1634081312267-X74054ZO4A3UA4RHFPM4/billrobinson.jpg Ray's Blog - A portrait of a man long since gone - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/family-not-just-to-whom-youre-related monthly 0.5 2021-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1631749125570-ZYE4H1AH7TWWBTOSQXRV/laurakoepke.jpg Ray's Blog - Family not just to whom you’re related - Make it stand out My wife Vanessa and me with our German exchange student Laura Koepke (left) https://www.talespress.com/blog/col-david-e-severance-dies-at-102 monthly 0.5 2022-05-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1630456240995-4RC6O6001AKF73HY5B5C/severanceportrait.jpg Ray's Blog - Col. David E. Severance, CO of company that raised both flags on Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi, dies at 102 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/retired-farmer-still-keeping-busy-two-decades-later monthly 0.5 2021-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1629324718215-5XVP6HHCSJ6EI1QR62QD/alvindecker.png Ray's Blog - Retired farmer still keeping busy two decades later - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/remembering-sissy-hankshaw-of-hitchhiking-fame-in-the-national-hitchhiking-month-of-july monthly 0.5 2021-08-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1626908023475-AIIACSD4N99TLHN67MOR/hitchhiking.png Ray's Blog - Remembering Sissy Hankshaw of hitchhiking fame in the National Hitchhiking Month of July - Make it stand out I went on my own hitchhiking trip across the country in the late 1970s. https://www.talespress.com/blog/remembering-charlie-dukes-1923-2021 monthly 0.5 2021-06-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1623973612701-V5UJ3XX0H7AUSJA1JVHL/charliedukes.png Ray's Blog - Remembering Charlie Dukes, 1923-2021 - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/we-can-all-get-along-if monthly 0.5 2021-06-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1622502260701-OSBBVX97F9CP1K7MN7RN/wecanallgetalongif1.png Ray's Blog - We can all get along if … - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/a-haircut-and-a-life-lesson-from-an-old-friend monthly 0.5 2021-05-11 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1620762993016-63TDO6JC5KVI48GB8137/bencorrell.png Ray's Blog - A haircut and a life lesson from an old friend - Make it stand out Ben Correll in the Marine Corps https://www.talespress.com/blog/facebook-brings-reminders-of-classroom-memories-and-some-hope-for-the-future monthly 0.5 2022-09-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1619453587819-AQZGPY2X03MP99MO33WB/pleadwell.jpg Ray's Blog - Facebook brings reminders of classroom memories and some hope for the future With Jeff Pleadwell (right) when I visited Guam https://www.talespress.com/blog/country-memories-jarvey-dug-wellsby-hand-too monthly 0.5 2021-04-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1618272845399-XMII6RO8I0TXOLMYK8L0/oldwell.jpg Ray's Blog - Country memories: Jarvey dug wells—by hand, too https://www.talespress.com/blog/1950s-olympic-gold-medalist-pole-vaulter-inspired-a-florida-youth-back-in-the-day monthly 0.5 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1616789329181-JTTZYAI1FD4LWLKCU4CJ/richardsandbutler.jpg Ray's Blog - 1950s Olympic gold medalist pole vaulter inspired a Florida youth back in the day Bob Richards (left) and John Butler met in the early 1980s at the Masters Track and Field meet in Delray Beach, Fla. https://www.talespress.com/blog/effort-to-name-ship-after-famed-iwo-jima-photographer-in-jeopardy monthly 0.5 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1614622942868-JYLTE1Q2TXVRT9WUU5WD/iwojimaflagraising.jpg Ray's Blog - Effort to name ship after famed Iwo Jima photographer in jeopardy The famed image Rosenthal captured atop Mount Suribachi during the Battle for Iwo Jima, 1945 https://www.talespress.com/blog/a-brief-vacation-and-a-memorable-chance-meeting monthly 0.5 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1613698118146-UCF9RWT7WK98ELOBF41Q/burlives.jpg Ray's Blog - A brief vacation and a memorable chance meeting South-central Illinois native Burl Ives https://www.talespress.com/blog/shirley-was-right-school-wasnt-so-bad monthly 0.5 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1613697482544-W1KEQSEM4RTF485DROLH/shirleyandschool.jpg Ray's Blog - Shirley was right; school wasn’t so bad I’m the little kid second from the left in the first row. Shirley is just behind me, first on the left. https://www.talespress.com/blog/remembering-an-uncle-from-childhood monthly 0.5 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1613697803562-8VANQD7VSBJE07OHZAOG/uncleroy.jpg Ray's Blog - Remembering an uncle from childhood I, a bit younger here, sit atop the goat in the center, while you can just see Uncle Roy sitting crosslegged behind me. https://www.talespress.com/blog/nadine-ramsey monthly 0.5 2021-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1613698422754-5NV1E3VEOP3TRD4ODCSF/nadineramsey.jpg Ray's Blog - Nadine Ramsey: One of the often-forgotten women airforce service pilots of World War II Nadine Ramsey in the 1940s https://www.talespress.com/blog/card-shower-planned-for-former-wwii-pow-and-wife-celebrating-71st-anniversary monthly 0.5 2021-06-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1613775718317-BJK8ZGAV3R8ZM5UJZ62L/charlieandgraciedukes.png Ray's Blog - Card shower planned for former WWII POW and wife celebrating 71st anniversary Charlie and Gracie Dukes were married in 1949. https://www.talespress.com/blog/authors-death-prompts-new-support-for-writing-scholarship-honoring-mentor monthly 0.5 2021-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1613776072227-LJC0PH31LPPJ3GW1LT3S/jonshirota.png Ray's Blog - Author’s death prompts new support for writing scholarship honoring mentor Jon passed away this summer—2020. https://www.talespress.com/blog/robert-c-bob-or-mo-mueller-1924-2020 monthly 0.5 2021-08-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1616545878792-KTWWW8QU75CEBXS02TIQ/bobmueller.jpg Ray's Blog - Robert C. “Bob” or “Mo” Mueller, 1924-2020 Bob Mueller and I at the 75th anniversary West Coast Iwo Jima banquet at Camp Pendleton https://www.talespress.com/blog/researchers-reveal-more-about-individual-wwii-experiences-including-my-cousins monthly 0.5 2021-03-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1616550025214-DNONN4Z9FCX17OLFR67S/brucetankertidbit.png Ray's Blog - Researchers reveal more about individual WWII experiences, including my cousin’s https://www.talespress.com/blog/final-thoughts-about-editing-spearhead-news monthly 0.5 2021-08-31 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1630278193573-JP3VQ3LYPYVNJWPFWGNY/spearhead.png Ray's Blog - Final thoughts about editing Spearhead News and serving as Fifth Marine Division Association secretary - Make it stand out The cover of the final issue under my editorship https://www.talespress.com/blog/feb-23-1945-the-day-e-2-28-marines-raised-both-flags-on-iwo-jimas-mount-suribachi monthly 0.5 2021-08-30 https://www.talespress.com/blog/the-slings-and-arrows-of-outrageous-fortune-and-a-little-kindness-along-the-way monthly 0.5 2021-08-31 https://www.talespress.com/blog/cadillac-ranch-a-potent-image-out-in-the-texas-plains monthly 0.5 2022-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/ee428f9a-ba21-438e-aa41-845e1e3ddf91/cadillacranch.jpg Ray's Blog - Cadillac Ranch a ‘potent image’ out in the Texas plains - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/scared-straight-opened-your-eyes-back-then monthly 0.5 2021-08-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1629835753562-O0SVVXXN5952ANQD3VA1/arnoldshapiro.jpg Ray's Blog - ‘Scared Straight’ opened your eyes back then - Make it stand out Arnold Shapiro, director and producer of “Scared Straight” https://www.talespress.com/blog/scared-straight-aims-to-deter-youth-from-prison-life monthly 0.5 2022-09-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1629836166266-YEWQ37N523TYG2LWH0XO/scaredstraight.jpg Ray's Blog - ‘Scared Straight’ aims to deter youth from prison life - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/blog/reflection-on-a-life-too-soon-gone monthly 0.5 2021-09-20 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1632181347398-6J6WE5IZSWO20H1TAEJ0/rayandjim.jpg Ray's Blog - Reflection on a life too soon gone - Make it stand out Me and Jim when I was in California for his wedding https://www.talespress.com/news daily 0.75 2024-07-02 https://www.talespress.com/news/070224-company-commander-of-iwo-jima-flag-raisers-shares-his-story-in-new-book monthly 0.5 2024-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/171b6d63-50b8-4b9e-9dfd-bcd1337b5a09/myiwojimasaga.jpg News - 07/02/24 Company commander of Iwo Jima flag-raisers shares his story in new book - Make it stand out “My Iwo Jima Saga” By Col. Dave E. Severance Available Now https://www.talespress.com/news/011523-elliotts-leatherneck-essay-printed-in-the-february-edition-of-publication monthly 0.5 2023-01-18 https://www.talespress.com/news/102722-wild-hands-named-vfw-magazine-staff-pick monthly 0.5 2022-10-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/86dbce5b-865f-4ff0-aff9-5f49f0a3d1a0/wildhandstowardthesky.jpg News - 10/27/22 ‘Wild Hands’ named VFW magazine Staff Pick - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/news/100122-local-author-book-fair-at-danville-public-library monthly 0.5 2022-09-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/31ad75eb-80b6-40f4-a4fc-065a01bff074/localauthorbookfair.jpg News - 10/01/22 Local Author Book Fair at Danville Public Library - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/news/62622-elliott-receives-honorable-mention-in-leatherneck-essay-contest monthly 0.5 2022-06-26 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/47838878-bd48-408a-84e9-f015fd8cf2bc/leatherneckplaque.jpg News - 6/26/22 Elliott receives Honorable Mention in Leatherneck Essay Contest - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/news/32822-danville-public-library-local-author-spotlight-interview-with-ray-elliott monthly 0.5 2022-04-06 https://www.talespress.com/news/051322-book-talk-and-signing-at-fmda-reunion-in-san-diego-ca monthly 0.5 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/d2ae3605-db2f-4a78-838c-e153657eeff0/fmdareunion2022booktalkflyer.jpg News - 05/13/22 Book talk and signing at FMDA Reunion in San Diego, CA - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/news/031122-online-panel-to-discuss-importance-of-conflict-journalism-despite-the-dangers monthly 0.5 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/c3cb7d03-6260-43a5-9f5a-0a45b7256929/cpl.jpg News - 03/11/22 Online panel to discuss importance of conflict journalism, despite the dangers - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.talespress.com/news/project-recover monthly 0.5 2022-03-24 https://www.talespress.com/news/12622-book-talk-at-the-literary-book-bar monthly 0.5 2022-03-24 https://www.talespress.com/about daily 0.75 2021-03-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1614643124247-4Z10ZZ5A6U7U1MK3VA1J/talesbook.jpg About - After establishing a cultural journalism project in southeastern Illinois called Tales from the General Store and publishing a periodic magazine of historical features about the general store era of the early 20th century for more than 10 years, educator, writer and editor Ray Elliott started an offshoot publishing company in 1998 called Tales Press. Its purpose is to continue and to extend the original project's mission of preserving the history and culture of the Midwest by publishing non-fiction memoirs and works of fiction that document and reveal something meaningful and worthwhile about the human condition. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1610749905335-TFJBEEURPI5K0TDUSJKN/cemeterytree.jpg About - Author and publisher Ray Elliott grew up in a small Southern Illinois town and longed to see the world. He’s worked on farms and in oilfields, served in the Marine Corps, been a prison counselor, and was a high school and college English and journalism educator in American public high schools and universities for more than 25 years. He’s done many things and visited many places, but his passion has been constant: to tell stories that touch people’s lives and truthfully explore the effects of war, the power of family and the resiliency of the human spirit. During his enlistment in the Marine Corps, Ray served in the infantry with Charlie Company, First Battalion, Seventh Regiment, First Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, Calif., as a brig guard and turnkey in the guard company at Sangley Point, Luzon, Republic of the Philippines, and in the artillery with India Company, Third Battalion, Tenth Regiment, Second Marine Division at Camp Lejuene, N.C. He is an editor, newspaper columnist and author of “Wild Hands Toward the Sky,” “Iwo Blasted Again,” “With the Silent Knowledge” and numerous works of nonfiction. The strong interviewing skills and frank observations of human actions and motivations Ray has gained through his life experiences are reflected in his writing. After retiring from the classroom temporarily in 1999 to write full time, he later edited the alumni publication and taught journalism at what is now the University of Illinois College of Media. In 2013, Ray served as the military advisor on the Tim Rice and Lee Menzies original London production of “From Here To Eternity: The Musical,” based on the classic James Jones novel. Ray was the long-time editor of The Spearhead News, the Fifth Marine Division Association’s newsletter, as well as The Black Sands, published by the Iwo Jima Association of America. He is a board member and former president of The James Jones Literary Society (a group that promotes public interest and academic research in the author’s World War II novels), a board member of the Illinois Center for the Book, and a founding member of the Richard L. Pittman Marine Corps League in Urbana, Ill. Ray continues to work with and encourage aspiring writers of all ages to find those stories within their own lives that hold up a mirror to life and reveal aspects of life to which others can relate. https://www.talespress.com/contact daily 0.75 2021-03-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1614637488176-DQEO2NM8PKE8ZYVGIZ61/typing.jpg Contact https://www.talespress.com/resources daily 0.75 2021-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1610851720027-DICK2B1A2GJ0M8W5VL53/iwojimaflagraising.jpg Resources - Military Resources Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, then select 1 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Fifth Marine Division Association Iwo Jima Association of America Black Sands Newsletter (IJAA) Military Historical Tours https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1614636548609-6O9VMBB0W4GG9YUKHJ9R/jamesjones.jpg Resources - Literary Resources James Jones Literary Society James Jones First Novel Fellowship Kaylie Jones Books Illinois Center for the Book Miles Harvey’s website (Tales Contributor) https://www.talespress.com/home-1 daily 1.0 2022-03-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1614115024879-UGZT508JXIY3GFOPKLUN/raysblogclickable.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1614115103969-WZZ0NOY6F61J4B0P60UX/spearheadclickable.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1614115134900-XX9MB04ACJ4QVU5MJ8LW/talesclickable.png Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1615002032121-ACA0MJL6393JNR6CTT1M/wildhandstowardtheskyclickable.png Home Young, fatherless John Walter McElligott grows up in a rural Illinois farm community during World War II and is inescapably drawn to the men of the area who served in the war and returned. Out of their own respect for John Walter's father, who was killed on Guadalcanal, these veterans treat the boy with a calculated deference and are compelled to teach him their hard-earned lessons about life, responsibility, duty and honor. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1615002068654-MBSCNCLC8GB4ZE624ZDV/iwoblastedagainclickable.png Home Iwo Jima Marine veteran Jack Britton has carried the horror of combat and the loss of his young wife and his buddies with him for the past 60 years. Now, in the last 36 hours of his life in a hospital intensive care unit, he revisits those aspects of his life and grapples with his long-suffering questions about fate and self-doubt through a psychological phenomenon known as sundown syndrome. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1615002104905-SU2MLWHN5FFK1294D7AF/withthesilentknowledgeclickable.png Home A smart, talented man from a privileged upbringing who’s also an alcoholic with sociopathic tendencies, Michael Callahan is his own worst enemy. He winds up in prison to fend for himself in a hard environment that doesn’t do much to help non-violent offenders break their self-destructive behaviors. With the help of Blaine, a well-meaning counselor, there may be a glimmer of hope that Callahan can finally get the help he needs. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1615002123346-7K12ZH8CIV6978KPFEFE/goodmorningclickable.png Home "Good Morning" is one combat soldier's experience as an infantryman on the front lines of World War II Europe, as a prisoner of war in a German work camp and as a displaced, disillusioned veteran shortly after the war's end. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1615002145757-CCOPXLCI77QE2Z6C70DB/bittersweetclickable.png Home Many families dream of starting a business and creating a long-lasting legacy for future generations. After a humble childhood filled with economic hardship, L.S. Heath pursued that dream for his family. One of the sweetest success stories in American business, the Heath Candy Co. grew from a small-town ice cream parlor and confectionery to a successful national company, only to unravel from jealousy, greed and selfishness by the time it was taken over by a conglomerate in 1989. https://www.talespress.com/squarespace-shop daily 0.75 2021-02-17 https://www.talespress.com/squarespace-shop/p/writings-from-the-handy-colony monthly 0.5 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1610773978386-P1QEZ4JR872PYLWEGVVI/handy_lrg.jpg The Tales Press Bookstore - Writings from the Handy Colony - writingsfromthehandycolony https://www.talespress.com/squarespace-shop/p/bait monthly 0.5 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1613604848961-9O2AYDNRWJTBR8PGSFKH/Bait.jpg The Tales Press Bookstore - Bait - bait https://www.talespress.com/squarespace-shop/p/born-in-the-illinois-cornfields monthly 0.5 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1610773142703-J6T8DXD6XMHI0Y2W54UI/born_large.jpg The Tales Press Bookstore - Born in the Illinois Cornfields - bornintheillinoiscornfields https://www.talespress.com/squarespace-shop/p/good-morning monthly 0.5 2021-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1610772819844-QIZTHFHJSV0KCN65NNKP/goodmorning_large.jpg The Tales Press Bookstore - Good Morning: But The Nightmares Never End - goodmorning https://www.talespress.com/squarespace-shop/p/bittersweet monthly 0.5 2021-03-06 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1610771886733-IZ2ED7BU6NDFXHVMVHN8/bittersweet_large.jpg The Tales Press Bookstore - Bittersweet: The Story of the Heath Candy Co. - bittersweet https://www.talespress.com/squarespace-shop/p/pin-a-medal-on-me monthly 0.5 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1610770372851-VUNQ79C8AU2SP3N8NC78/pin_large.jpg The Tales Press Bookstore - Pin A Medal On Me - pinamedalonme https://www.talespress.com/squarespace-shop/p/the-dawn-before-darkness monthly 0.5 2021-03-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fc6e5ee9849b27a00a3051f/1610737472850-M85S01Y6U5U19NJD8DAX/dawn_lrg.jpg The Tales Press Bookstore - 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