Reflections from the River Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:43:28 -0500 https://www.buzzsprout.com/1089968 en-us © 2026 Reflections from the River yes 4df47002-252f-531c-9653-bbfd4300a4d6 Bill Enyart episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Bill Enyart https://storage.buzzsprout.com/5dq47kzfb58uz0hhp9hog3skwehf?.jpg Reflections from the River Prospects for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine Prospects for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-14385711 Fri, 26 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0600 377 full false Southern Illinois ice storms or Be Prepared Southern Illinois ice storms or Be Prepared Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-14357032 Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:00:00 -0600 394 full false Israel-Gaza: One Hundred Days Later Israel-Gaza: One Hundred Days Later After one hundred days of fighting in Israel and Gaza, who is winning? Iran. Hamas, Gaza’s ruling political party and its military wing inflicted a stinging blow to Israel when it launched its October 7th attack killing twelve hundred mostly Israelis and taking hostage over two hundred others, about half of whom have now been released. Although a propaganda victory, this attack was not militarily significant. It has, however, become significant as a triggering event.

]]> After one hundred days of fighting in Israel and Gaza, who is winning? Iran. Hamas, Gaza’s ruling political party and its military wing inflicted a stinging blow to Israel when it launched its October 7th attack killing twelve hundred mostly Israelis and taking hostage over two hundred others, about half of whom have now been released. Although a propaganda victory, this attack was not militarily significant. It has, however, become significant as a triggering event.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-14321440 Tue, 16 Jan 2024 14:00:00 -0600 266 full false Spring gardens, wilted lettuce leaf salad and real strawberries Spring gardens, wilted lettuce leaf salad and real strawberries Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12810036 Mon, 08 May 2023 17:00:00 -0500 424 full false Six degrees of separation: a curly headed girl from Belleville, Illinois to Prince Charles and a lesson in history Six degrees of separation: a curly headed girl from Belleville, Illinois to Prince Charles and a lesson in history Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12720932 Tue, 25 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0500 521 full false Army field jackets, college campuses and Woody Guthrie Army field jackets, college campuses and Woody Guthrie Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12489273 Tue, 04 Apr 2023 00:00:00 -0500 405 full false Finding the right path, giving thanks to guide Finding the right path, giving thanks to guide Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12489245 Thu, 30 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500 356 full false Originalism is bunk: what President Grant got right and today's Supreme Court gets wrong Originalism is bunk: what President Grant got right and today's Supreme Court gets wrong To quote Washington Post writer Ruth Marcus in her Dec 1, 2022, opinion piece: “Originalism is bunk”. Marcus would have done well to quote former President Ulysses S Grant. And the Supreme Court would do well to consider his words...

]]> To quote Washington Post writer Ruth Marcus in her Dec 1, 2022, opinion piece: “Originalism is bunk”. Marcus would have done well to quote former President Ulysses S Grant. And the Supreme Court would do well to consider his words...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12457662 Sat, 25 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0500 605 full false Learning military skills: Floor buffer operation 101 Learning military skills: Floor buffer operation 101 As a veteran let me attest that the military teaches you some invaluable skills. Skills you will carry with you for a lifetime. Let me give you an example...

]]> As a veteran let me attest that the military teaches you some invaluable skills. Skills you will carry with you for a lifetime. Let me give you an example...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12457645 Sun, 19 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500 449 full false Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12417295 Wed, 15 Mar 2023 19:00:00 -0500 586 full false Outdoor gear guru Outdoor gear guru Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12417388 Fri, 10 Mar 2023 20:00:00 -0600 920 full false There's donuts, then there's REAL donuts! There's donuts, then there's REAL donuts! Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12109397 Fri, 27 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -0600 425 full false Ukraine Update Ukraine Update Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12109389 Tue, 24 Jan 2023 10:00:00 -0600 431 full false Lard sandwiches and oranges, a Depression era diet Lard sandwiches and oranges, a Depression era diet Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-12022519 Wed, 11 Jan 2023 08:00:00 -0600 417 full false Electing a speaker isn't really important, is it? Electing a speaker isn't really important, is it? Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11982615 Wed, 04 Jan 2023 20:00:00 -0600 487 full false Ukraine update Ukraine update Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11709537 Thu, 17 Nov 2022 20:00:00 -0600 784 full false A veteran honored A veteran honored Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11709528 Wed, 16 Nov 2022 14:00:00 -0600 409 full false Why engineers shouldn't write owner's manuals Why engineers shouldn't write owner's manuals Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11601882 Mon, 31 Oct 2022 11:00:00 -0500 771 full false Washington DC: Karma, or: What comes around goes around… Washington DC: Karma, or: What comes around goes around… Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11560940 Mon, 24 Oct 2022 16:00:00 -0500 438 full false Lessons in public speaking from a master Lessons in public speaking from a master Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11333820 Fri, 16 Sep 2022 16:00:00 -0500 418 full false Strategic Importance of Taiwan; a primer Strategic Importance of Taiwan; a primer The strategic importance of Taiwan 

Should China take control of Taiwan it would represent a breach of the Western Pacific strategic line the US holds from South Korea to Japan through Okinawa to the Philippines. Although the US no longer has military forces on Taiwan, it counts Taiwan as a staunch ally and sells military equipment, including F16s, to Taiwan. 

This would enable China to more easily project power, both military and economic, throughout Southwest Asia and the western Pacific. Japan would almost certainly feel more threatened, thus remilitarizing. Japan and China have fought multiple wars over the last centuries. With that history it is likely that we would see greater instability in Asia.


© William L. Enyart 2022

 Email: bill@billenyart.com

Audio production by Tom Calhoun, paguytom.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> The strategic importance of Taiwan 

Should China take control of Taiwan it would represent a breach of the Western Pacific strategic line the US holds from South Korea to Japan through Okinawa to the Philippines. Although the US no longer has military forces on Taiwan, it counts Taiwan as a staunch ally and sells military equipment, including F16s, to Taiwan. 

This would enable China to more easily project power, both military and economic, throughout Southwest Asia and the western Pacific. Japan would almost certainly feel more threatened, thus remilitarizing. Japan and China have fought multiple wars over the last centuries. With that history it is likely that we would see greater instability in Asia.


© William L. Enyart 2022

 Email: bill@billenyart.com

Audio production by Tom Calhoun, paguytom.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11306131 Mon, 12 Sep 2022 15:00:00 -0500 437 full false What's bob wire? Hint: it's not a name! What's bob wire? Hint: it's not a name! Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11185004 Mon, 22 Aug 2022 21:00:00 -0500 325 full false My first time meeting Barack Obama My first time meeting Barack Obama Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11184998 Mon, 22 Aug 2022 21:00:00 -0500 370 full false A primer on classified documents, the FBI and Donald Trump A primer on classified documents, the FBI and Donald Trump Here's what the media is missing about how the FBI knew exactly which classified documents were in Mar-a-Lago.

]]> Here's what the media is missing about how the FBI knew exactly which classified documents were in Mar-a-Lago.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11153848 Wed, 17 Aug 2022 08:00:00 -0500 451 full false Nicknames Nicknames Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11081476 Thu, 04 Aug 2022 08:00:00 -0500 511 full false Farmboy breakfasts Farmboy breakfasts Farm boy breakfasts to military chow hall breakfasts to scrambled eggs in the halls of Congress, it's still my favorite meal.

]]> Farm boy breakfasts to military chow hall breakfasts to scrambled eggs in the halls of Congress, it's still my favorite meal.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-11050964 Fri, 29 Jul 2022 17:00:00 -0500 407 full false My wife thinks I'm crazy or cycling across Missouri's Route 66 My wife thinks I'm crazy or cycling across Missouri's Route 66 My wife thinks I’m crazy. Now that’s not uncommon for couples who’ve been married as long as we have. She shares why she thinks I’m crazy with friends and neighbors, who then mostly agree with her that I’m crazy.

Now my bike riding friends all think I’m perfectly normal. She, of course, thinks they’re crazy too, as do our non-bike riding friends and neighbors...

]]> My wife thinks I’m crazy. Now that’s not uncommon for couples who’ve been married as long as we have. She shares why she thinks I’m crazy with friends and neighbors, who then mostly agree with her that I’m crazy.

Now my bike riding friends all think I’m perfectly normal. She, of course, thinks they’re crazy too, as do our non-bike riding friends and neighbors...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10839315 Wed, 22 Jun 2022 17:00:00 -0500 879 full false June 6th and the Second Amendment June 6th and the Second Amendment Rainy June 6th and the anniversary of D-day, the Allied invasion of Nazi occupied Europe, and one old soldier's thoughts about murder in our schools, churches, grocery stores and city streets.

]]> Rainy June 6th and the anniversary of D-day, the Allied invasion of Nazi occupied Europe, and one old soldier's thoughts about murder in our schools, churches, grocery stores and city streets.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10747137 Mon, 06 Jun 2022 14:00:00 -0500 434 full false Starbucks barista Starbucks barista Four-dollar coffees, thirteen-dollar-an-hour baristas and a billionaire CEO

]]> Four-dollar coffees, thirteen-dollar-an-hour baristas and a billionaire CEO

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10652272 Mon, 23 May 2022 00:00:00 -0500 296 full false An untold story: the Illinois National Guard in Ukraine An untold story: the Illinois National Guard in Ukraine The Ukraine-Russia war has dominated headlines for months. This is the untold story of the Illnois National Guard in Ukraine.

]]> The Ukraine-Russia war has dominated headlines for months. This is the untold story of the Illnois National Guard in Ukraine.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10649358 Thu, 19 May 2022 17:00:00 -0500 373 full false College is different when you're a veteran, or I sure miss that old field jacket College is different when you're a veteran, or I sure miss that old field jacket Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10559697 Mon, 09 May 2022 15:00:00 -0500 414 full false How Ukraine has changed my view of a Polish tragedy How Ukraine has changed my view of a Polish tragedy Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10559665 Wed, 04 May 2022 14:00:00 -0500 299 full false The need for speed, my introduction to the world's fastest human powered vehicle The need for speed, my introduction to the world's fastest human powered vehicle Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10446468 Sun, 17 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0500 593 full false Sam Walton's legacy Sam Walton's legacy Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10422068 Mon, 11 Apr 2022 22:00:00 -0500 639 full false Putin's punch in the mouth Putin's punch in the mouth “Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth,” world champion heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson said when he was asked how he planned to defeat Evander Holyfield’s fight plan. Tyson was infamously disqualified for biting off part of Holyfield’s ear in one of the two championship bouts they fought.

Vladimir Putin had a plan. Had a plan until he got punched in the face. Putin’s plan was to do a “smash and grab”. Smash into Ukraine with his armor columns and grab the capital Kyiv from the north, deposing the democratic government and install a puppet regime while seizing the southern portion of Ukraine with its Black Sea ports...

]]> “Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth,” world champion heavyweight boxer Mike Tyson said when he was asked how he planned to defeat Evander Holyfield’s fight plan. Tyson was infamously disqualified for biting off part of Holyfield’s ear in one of the two championship bouts they fought.

Vladimir Putin had a plan. Had a plan until he got punched in the face. Putin’s plan was to do a “smash and grab”. Smash into Ukraine with his armor columns and grab the capital Kyiv from the north, deposing the democratic government and install a puppet regime while seizing the southern portion of Ukraine with its Black Sea ports...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10327242 Sun, 27 Mar 2022 16:00:00 -0500 509 full false The dogs of war: or understanding who the players at this table are The dogs of war: or understanding who the players at this table are I’ve been thinking about simple ways to explain Putin’s war on Ukraine. You all, I’m sure, remember that painting I loved as a kid. The one with all the dogs sitting around a table playing poker...

]]> I’ve been thinking about simple ways to explain Putin’s war on Ukraine. You all, I’m sure, remember that painting I loved as a kid. The one with all the dogs sitting around a table playing poker...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10240229 Wed, 16 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500 378 full false A new strategy for Ukraine, Hitting Russia’s center of gravity A new strategy for Ukraine, Hitting Russia’s center of gravity Like every retired military person in the world, the situation in Ukraine has occupied much of my mind for the last several weeks. In a phone conversation with another retired general last week, my former mentor asked me how I would go about defeating Putin’s attack. 

Here's that strategy...

]]> Like every retired military person in the world, the situation in Ukraine has occupied much of my mind for the last several weeks. In a phone conversation with another retired general last week, my former mentor asked me how I would go about defeating Putin’s attack. 

Here's that strategy...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10240205 Sun, 13 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0500 579 full false American veteran American veteran One of my listeners wrote me to ask: “Can you imagine your life without having had the military experiences you have?” As a non-veteran, he had other questions, too, such as: “How does the discipline of the military experience transform the future of young people’s lives? Not career people, but just those who do their stint.”

Frankly, I can’t imagine my life without my military experience. I suspect it would have been a lot more boring, a lot less traveling, and a lot less career success, but perhaps more family success. Hard to say.

]]> One of my listeners wrote me to ask: “Can you imagine your life without having had the military experiences you have?” As a non-veteran, he had other questions, too, such as: “How does the discipline of the military experience transform the future of young people’s lives? Not career people, but just those who do their stint.”

Frankly, I can’t imagine my life without my military experience. I suspect it would have been a lot more boring, a lot less traveling, and a lot less career success, but perhaps more family success. Hard to say.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10148564 Sat, 26 Feb 2022 16:00:00 -0600 915 full false Why Ukraine? Why now? Putin's dilemma Why Ukraine? Why now? Putin's dilemma The television analysts keep asking: "Why Ukraine? Why now?" Having spent a lot of time in Poland, a former Warsaw Pact country and done NATO war games in Ukraine let me suggest some answers to those questions.

]]> The television analysts keep asking: "Why Ukraine? Why now?" Having spent a lot of time in Poland, a former Warsaw Pact country and done NATO war games in Ukraine let me suggest some answers to those questions.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10148522 Sat, 26 Feb 2022 15:00:00 -0600 591 full false Treasured sayings Treasured sayings I collect witty sayings for the treasures they are. Some are down home, like: “I been to two county fairs and a goat ropin’ and I ain’t never seen anything like that.”  Some...

]]> I collect witty sayings for the treasures they are. Some are down home, like: “I been to two county fairs and a goat ropin’ and I ain’t never seen anything like that.”  Some...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10095419 Tue, 22 Feb 2022 00:00:00 -0600 308 full false Wakeup time, military weapons and numerology... Wakeup time, military weapons and numerology... Just as I do every morning, this morning I rolled over and glanced at the alarm clock. The digital face read 5:56 am. Four minutes to six. No special meaning, unless you’re a veteran or a gun enthusiast.

The numbers 5.56 happen to be the size of the military’s combat rifle weapon system in millimeters...

]]> Just as I do every morning, this morning I rolled over and glanced at the alarm clock. The digital face read 5:56 am. Four minutes to six. No special meaning, unless you’re a veteran or a gun enthusiast.

The numbers 5.56 happen to be the size of the military’s combat rifle weapon system in millimeters...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10095362 Fri, 18 Feb 2022 07:00:00 -0600 335 full false It really is a James Bond world, my dear. It really is a James Bond world, my dear. Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10039668 Tue, 15 Feb 2022 20:00:00 -0600 481 full false Snowy days and speedy dreams... Snowy days and speedy dreams... Eight inches of snow and the world's fastest recumbent trike awaiting me in the garage.  Melt baby, melt!

]]> Eight inches of snow and the world's fastest recumbent trike awaiting me in the garage.  Melt baby, melt!

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-10039666 Tue, 08 Feb 2022 20:00:00 -0600 536 full false Colorado River rafting Colorado River rafting It's all fun and games until disaster looms...

]]> It's all fun and games until disaster looms...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9916857 Wed, 19 Jan 2022 17:00:00 -0600 498 full false High stakes poker or Putin and Ukraine High stakes poker or Putin and Ukraine An old general's musings on where the world may or may not be headed in the next several weeks. 
CAUTION: probably not a good idea to listen to this before bed.

]]> An old general's musings on where the world may or may not be headed in the next several weeks. 
CAUTION: probably not a good idea to listen to this before bed.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9916539 Wed, 19 Jan 2022 16:00:00 -0600 977 full false Learning to live with loss Learning to live with loss When you’re eighteen-years-old, you're gonna live forever. Only old people die. Well, except for car accidents and war. Fall of 1967. Seatbelts wouldn’t be required in new cars for another year...

]]> When you’re eighteen-years-old, you're gonna live forever. Only old people die. Well, except for car accidents and war. Fall of 1967. Seatbelts wouldn’t be required in new cars for another year...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9868283 Tue, 18 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0600 497 full false Warsaw 2007 to Ukraine today Warsaw 2007 to Ukraine today Russian tanks are poised and ready to roll. It's not the first time...

]]> Russian tanks are poised and ready to roll. It's not the first time...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9868278 Tue, 11 Jan 2022 11:00:00 -0600 596 full false Old wooden tool box Old wooden tool box Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9733052 Tue, 28 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0600 297 full false Holiday food fight Holiday food fight With Thanksgiving dinner over and the dishes done and Christmas dinner not yet planned, let’s have a conversation that guarantees a family food fight in Southern Illinois. Or at least it would in my family...

]]> With Thanksgiving dinner over and the dishes done and Christmas dinner not yet planned, let’s have a conversation that guarantees a family food fight in Southern Illinois. Or at least it would in my family...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9733001 Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:00:00 -0600 424 full false Put me in coach! Put me in coach!  I may not be a starting linebacker any longer, but I’m still on the team, so I’ll show up and be ready to go in the game, just in case...

]]>  I may not be a starting linebacker any longer, but I’m still on the team, so I’ll show up and be ready to go in the game, just in case...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9542432 Sat, 13 Nov 2021 12:00:00 -0600 486 full false A veteran's thanks to the nation on Veterans' Day 2021 A veteran's thanks to the nation on Veterans' Day 2021 Veterans’ Day is the day our nation thanks its veterans for what they have done for our country. This Veterans’ Day of 2021 let me, as a veteran, thank our country and the state of Illinois for what they have done for me.

]]> Veterans’ Day is the day our nation thanks its veterans for what they have done for our country. This Veterans’ Day of 2021 let me, as a veteran, thank our country and the state of Illinois for what they have done for me.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9521341 Tue, 09 Nov 2021 16:00:00 -0600 312 full false Memories of "The Bear" Memories of "The Bear" As Billy Joel sang; "Only the good die young."

]]> As Billy Joel sang; "Only the good die young."

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9457249 Fri, 29 Oct 2021 14:00:00 -0500 494 full false Basement memories Basement memories Why is it so difficult to get rid of stuff? I’ve read Marie Kondo’s book on paring down possessions and want to follow all its prescriptions. But somehow the stuff just hangs on.

]]> Why is it so difficult to get rid of stuff? I’ve read Marie Kondo’s book on paring down possessions and want to follow all its prescriptions. But somehow the stuff just hangs on.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9419346 Sat, 23 Oct 2021 08:00:00 -0500 310 full false 9-11: Honoring America's Own 9-11: Honoring America's Own Valor and sacrifice, twenty years later.

]]> Valor and sacrifice, twenty years later.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9172442 Fri, 10 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0500 496 full false Otherness Otherness Otherness 

Every now and then in life you meet someone you just know is going somewhere. Someone who is smart and talented and has the ability to talk with anyone. Someone, who with all those gifts, doesn’t have an ego that gets in the way.

I had lunch with a person like that last week...

]]> Otherness 

Every now and then in life you meet someone you just know is going somewhere. Someone who is smart and talented and has the ability to talk with anyone. Someone, who with all those gifts, doesn’t have an ego that gets in the way.

I had lunch with a person like that last week...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9105244 Fri, 10 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0500 337 full false Kabul fell Kabul fell Kabul fell 

Eerily like Saigon fell forty-six years ago...

]]> Kabul fell 

Eerily like Saigon fell forty-six years ago...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9105217 Fri, 03 Sep 2021 00:00:00 -0500 389 full false An August birthday she won't be here for An August birthday she won't be here for With the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, my mind returns, as it does most days,  to the soldiers that I trained, equipped and ordered to Afghanistan during the five years of that two-decade long war that I commanded the Illinois National Guard...

]]> With the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, my mind returns, as it does most days,  to the soldiers that I trained, equipped and ordered to Afghanistan during the five years of that two-decade long war that I commanded the Illinois National Guard...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9105178 Sun, 29 Aug 2021 14:00:00 -0500 453 full false The love affair ended badly... The love affair ended badly... She left me without a word, MS Word that is...

]]> She left me without a word, MS Word that is...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-9018558 Thu, 12 Aug 2021 07:00:00 -0500 603 full false The aid of a stranger The aid of a stranger A good Samaritan on a dark, rainy Italian highway.

]]> A good Samaritan on a dark, rainy Italian highway.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8875224 Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0500 481 full false Legends of an old yardstick Legends of an old yardstick An old house. An old yardstick. An old legend.

]]> An old house. An old yardstick. An old legend.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8875254 Fri, 16 Jul 2021 12:00:00 -0500 694 full false Sportswriter...dream job or nightmare? Sportswriter...dream job or nightmare? Writing about sports sounds like a dream job to lots of folks. Imagine...going to sports games for free, sitting in the press box, access to the locker room, interviewing players and coaches and fans. Watching games, then writing about it. And getting paid, although not much, to tell the stories. What a life!

Except I hated it.

]]> Writing about sports sounds like a dream job to lots of folks. Imagine...going to sports games for free, sitting in the press box, access to the locker room, interviewing players and coaches and fans. Watching games, then writing about it. And getting paid, although not much, to tell the stories. What a life!

Except I hated it.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8680506 Thu, 01 Jul 2021 00:00:00 -0500 580 full false Fourth of July thoughts from an old veteran Fourth of July thoughts from an old veteran Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans’ Day. The holy trinity of American patriotic holidays. As Independence Day approaches let us remember and think about the final clause of the thirty-one words of the Pledge of Allegiance. “With liberty and justice for all”.

]]> Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Veterans’ Day. The holy trinity of American patriotic holidays. As Independence Day approaches let us remember and think about the final clause of the thirty-one words of the Pledge of Allegiance. “With liberty and justice for all”.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8789534 Wed, 30 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0500 457 full false Gifted conversationalist... Gifted conversationalist... A curly-headed girl from Belleville, Illinois, and an hour with Colin Powell...

]]> A curly-headed girl from Belleville, Illinois, and an hour with Colin Powell...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8680497 Thu, 24 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0500 457 full false A watchful eye... A watchful eye... Sometimes you've got big shoes to fill and eyes watching over you remind you of the right thing to do.

]]> Sometimes you've got big shoes to fill and eyes watching over you remind you of the right thing to do.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8680467 Thu, 17 Jun 2021 07:00:00 -0500 456 full false The price and cost of cheating The price and cost of cheating Some life lessons are hard. Ethical lapses by people you thought honorable are some of the hardest.

]]> Some life lessons are hard. Ethical lapses by people you thought honorable are some of the hardest.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8680425 Thu, 10 Jun 2021 13:00:00 -0500 763 full false Old tales and new prophets Old tales and new prophets Tales are meant to be told, not read. There are few who cannot hear, although many who do not listen. And even more who read, but do not understand.

This podcast tells of old tales and new prophets.

(c) William L. Enyart
Email: bill@billenyart.com

]]> Tales are meant to be told, not read. There are few who cannot hear, although many who do not listen. And even more who read, but do not understand.

This podcast tells of old tales and new prophets.

(c) William L. Enyart
Email: bill@billenyart.com

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8347572 Wed, 21 Apr 2021 00:00:00 -0500 398 full false Mentors worth having Mentors worth having Great mentors have blessed me through life with the occasional bits of wisdom that have proven benchmarks. Here are two of those hard-earned bits of wisdom and one lesson learned from them.

]]> Great mentors have blessed me through life with the occasional bits of wisdom that have proven benchmarks. Here are two of those hard-earned bits of wisdom and one lesson learned from them.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8347550 Fri, 16 Apr 2021 11:00:00 -0500 335 full false High school on Capitol Hill or the comeuppance of Paul Ryan High school on Capitol Hill or the comeuppance of Paul Ryan Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8216917 Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500 375 full false Life and death watching the river Life and death watching the river This morning, the fog fills the river bottoms from Illinois bluffs to Missouri hills. Above, blue-sky peeks through but from my perch halfway up the rocky bluff I see nothing but the gray fog swallowing all that lies a hundred yards away....

]]> This morning, the fog fills the river bottoms from Illinois bluffs to Missouri hills. Above, blue-sky peeks through but from my perch halfway up the rocky bluff I see nothing but the gray fog swallowing all that lies a hundred yards away....

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8216913 Fri, 26 Mar 2021 10:00:00 -0500 352 full false Nikki's crocuses Nikki's crocuses Harbinger of spring. The crocuses of Abend Street.

]]> Harbinger of spring. The crocuses of Abend Street.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8127715 Fri, 12 Mar 2021 07:00:00 -0600 486 full false Nikki's Keyway Terrace Nikki's Keyway Terrace Falling in love with old brick streets and the houses that populate them.

]]> Falling in love with old brick streets and the houses that populate them.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-8088474 Sat, 06 Mar 2021 11:00:00 -0600 425 full false The Mighty Blue Max The Mighty Blue Max Some people measure their lives by their kids' birthdays. For others, it's their wedding anniversaries. For some, it's their jobs. For me and all those other working -class boomer guys li me, it's the cars we drove. Here's the (mostly) true story of the Mighty Blue Max...

]]> Some people measure their lives by their kids' birthdays. For others, it's their wedding anniversaries. For some, it's their jobs. For me and all those other working -class boomer guys li me, it's the cars we drove. Here's the (mostly) true story of the Mighty Blue Max...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7828990 Fri, 19 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0600 364 full false DNA: Dangerous Truths DNA: Dangerous Truths Oh the surprises you find  when you get your DNA tested to see where your ancestors came from...

]]> Oh the surprises you find  when you get your DNA tested to see where your ancestors came from...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7828987 Wed, 17 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0600 339 full false A Polish piglet A Polish piglet Now don’t get me wrong, I love bacon just as much as anyone, in fact, there is no smell in the world better than that of bacon frying in the morning. You can have your roses, your Chanel and even the smell of sun on a beautiful woman’s skin. I’ll take the scent of bacon crisping and popping in an iron skillet...

]]> Now don’t get me wrong, I love bacon just as much as anyone, in fact, there is no smell in the world better than that of bacon frying in the morning. You can have your roses, your Chanel and even the smell of sun on a beautiful woman’s skin. I’ll take the scent of bacon crisping and popping in an iron skillet...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7828981 Sun, 14 Feb 2021 07:00:00 -0600 379 full false Busted shoulders and broken bicycles Busted shoulders and broken bicycles Sometimes even having eyes in the back of your head isn't enough to protect a bicyclist from the broken bones and bleeding body parts...

]]> Sometimes even having eyes in the back of your head isn't enough to protect a bicyclist from the broken bones and bleeding body parts...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7828975 Fri, 12 Feb 2021 09:00:00 -0600 683 full false I've cleaned toilets for a living. I've cleaned toilets for a living. “Have any of you ever worked cleaning toilets for a living? Or as a waitress?” 

]]> “Have any of you ever worked cleaning toilets for a living? Or as a waitress?” 

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7521172 Mon, 01 Feb 2021 00:00:00 -0600 535 full false Inauguration Day 2013 Inauguration Day 2013 Here's how the peaceful transfer of power is supposed to work.

]]> Here's how the peaceful transfer of power is supposed to work.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7521121 Sat, 30 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600 509 full false Christmas in January Christmas in January January 20th felt like Christmas all day.

]]> January 20th felt like Christmas all day.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7521082 Wed, 27 Jan 2021 13:00:00 -0600 296 full false From telegram to Facebook From telegram to Facebook The pain of losing a loved one in wartime has not changed, but the method of finding out of the loss has dramatically changed.

]]> The pain of losing a loved one in wartime has not changed, but the method of finding out of the loss has dramatically changed.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7128823 Wed, 13 Jan 2021 00:00:00 -0600 382 full false How to pick a child's name... How to pick a child's name... The (mostly) true story how are younger son got his name. You may want to use a different method!

]]> The (mostly) true story how are younger son got his name. You may want to use a different method!

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7256695 Tue, 12 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0600 358 full false A veteran's thoughts on the Capitol assault on democracy A veteran's thoughts on the Capitol assault on democracy It’s time to face facts folks. 

Everybody gets to have their own opinion. You do not get to have your own facts.

You can have your opinion that Donald J. Trump is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Fine. I have my opinion as to your mistakenness in that opinion. I full well understand that I cannot change your opinion...

This podcast published as an op-ed in the St. Louis and Southern Illinois Labor Tribune, January 27, 2021.

]]> It’s time to face facts folks. 

Everybody gets to have their own opinion. You do not get to have your own facts.

You can have your opinion that Donald J. Trump is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Fine. I have my opinion as to your mistakenness in that opinion. I full well understand that I cannot change your opinion...

This podcast published as an op-ed in the St. Louis and Southern Illinois Labor Tribune, January 27, 2021.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7184587 Thu, 07 Jan 2021 17:00:00 -0600 305 full false Speaking heresy Speaking heresy I’m going to speak heresy here. We should be glad we are so politically divided as a nation...

]]> I’m going to speak heresy here. We should be glad we are so politically divided as a nation...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-7128577 Mon, 04 Jan 2021 12:00:00 -0600 328 full false Snowstorm in a faraway land Snowstorm in a faraway land There's free fire zones and cold fire zones.  A free fire zone means you're locked and loaded, safety off,  and eyes in the back of your head. Cold fire zone is a term I made up. It's one of those places American soldiers get sent to keep the peace, or enforce the peace, or make the peace. Some places the weather's cold. Most places the people are cold. Ain't no heroes in keeping people from killing each other. Just another day in doin' the job Uncle Sugar sent us to do.

]]> There's free fire zones and cold fire zones.  A free fire zone means you're locked and loaded, safety off,  and eyes in the back of your head. Cold fire zone is a term I made up. It's one of those places American soldiers get sent to keep the peace, or enforce the peace, or make the peace. Some places the weather's cold. Most places the people are cold. Ain't no heroes in keeping people from killing each other. Just another day in doin' the job Uncle Sugar sent us to do.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6893285 Sun, 20 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600 724 full false Christmas card memories Christmas card memories Some Christmas cards you tuck away. You tuck them away because you can't bear to throw them away. You tuck them way because the memories they bring back haunt you.  This is the story of that one card.

]]> Some Christmas cards you tuck away. You tuck them away because you can't bear to throw them away. You tuck them way because the memories they bring back haunt you.  This is the story of that one card.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6877988 Wed, 16 Dec 2020 10:00:00 -0600 508 full false Snipers above the flight line Snipers above the flight line As the attack unfolded in real time on our radios, I realized we were but a few hundred yards away from the attackers, sitting unarmed, in an unprotected warehouse with gaping twelve-foot wide doors blocked open to ventilate the heat...

]]> As the attack unfolded in real time on our radios, I realized we were but a few hundred yards away from the attackers, sitting unarmed, in an unprotected warehouse with gaping twelve-foot wide doors blocked open to ventilate the heat...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6676601 Wed, 09 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600 486 full false Three am dreams Three am dreams The dreams that wake you at three am...

]]> The dreams that wake you at three am...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6676496 Sun, 06 Dec 2020 00:00:00 -0600 426 full false Abend Street autumn Abend Street autumn The thirty-fourth autumn of life on Abend Street, street of brick, of tall trees, of century-old homes, is rapidly approaching.  The leaves have not yet begun to turn on the towering oaks but summer’s heat has begun to dissipate. The hummingbird’s flight a bit more frenetic as they dart about gathering sweet nectar for their long journey south...

]]> The thirty-fourth autumn of life on Abend Street, street of brick, of tall trees, of century-old homes, is rapidly approaching.  The leaves have not yet begun to turn on the towering oaks but summer’s heat has begun to dissipate. The hummingbird’s flight a bit more frenetic as they dart about gathering sweet nectar for their long journey south...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6676481 Thu, 03 Dec 2020 13:00:00 -0600 523 full false Freedom rings: Fort Kaskaskia Fourth of July Freedom rings: Fort Kaskaskia Fourth of July Although divided we stand politically, united we stand in our belief in democracy, our belief in equality, our belief in freedoms of speech, religion, press and right to petition our government.

]]> Although divided we stand politically, united we stand in our belief in democracy, our belief in equality, our belief in freedoms of speech, religion, press and right to petition our government.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6456841 Thu, 26 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600 442 full false There is hope. There is hope. How we can all work to realize the vision set forth in the Declaration of Independence. 

]]> How we can all work to realize the vision set forth in the Declaration of Independence. 

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6456808 Sun, 22 Nov 2020 00:00:00 -0600 392 full false Italian November Italian November The war hasn't started yet. 9-11 has happened. The last few days of the peace-time National Guard helping out the Army in Italy

]]> The war hasn't started yet. 9-11 has happened. The last few days of the peace-time National Guard helping out the Army in Italy

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6456643 Thu, 19 Nov 2020 09:00:00 -0600 979 full false Veterans' Day 2020 Veterans' Day 2020 A tribute to veterans and their families and a request to honor them and all Americans in our great nation's unique diversity.

]]> A tribute to veterans and their families and a request to honor them and all Americans in our great nation's unique diversity.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6149668 Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600 486 full false Gentle fathers Gentle fathers Who are these men headed to war? And who will they be when they return home?

]]> Who are these men headed to war? And who will they be when they return home?

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6149968 Fri, 06 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600 487 full false Flight line memories Flight line memories A long time ago, on a  flight line a long way from home, the smell of jet fuel lingers like memories that won't be forgotten.

]]> A long time ago, on a  flight line a long way from home, the smell of jet fuel lingers like memories that won't be forgotten.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6149872 Sun, 01 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600 158 full false Not just any summer job Not just any summer job There's summer jobs, then there's summer job. July days on the mudbanks of the Mississippi River with the humidity trying to outdo the temperature, cutting rusty old barges in to scrap steel is not the summer job of a young man's dreams. But when you need a paycheck you trade your sweat for what you need.

]]> There's summer jobs, then there's summer job. July days on the mudbanks of the Mississippi River with the humidity trying to outdo the temperature, cutting rusty old barges in to scrap steel is not the summer job of a young man's dreams. But when you need a paycheck you trade your sweat for what you need.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-6149635 Fri, 30 Oct 2020 16:00:00 -0500 650 full false My momma's people My momma's people Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5986417 Fri, 23 Oct 2020 00:00:00 -0500 424 full false Road Trip to History Road Trip to History There’s not much all of America can agree on, but maybe we can all agree that 2020 has been a really tough year so far, and doesn’t look to get much better with the election and all of the divisiveness. Maybe a road trip to take part in history will help.

]]> There’s not much all of America can agree on, but maybe we can all agree that 2020 has been a really tough year so far, and doesn’t look to get much better with the election and all of the divisiveness. Maybe a road trip to take part in history will help.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5986393 Tue, 20 Oct 2020 16:00:00 -0500 1071 full false Boys and their swords Boys and their swords Yardsticks and broken maple limbs  are the pirate swords of boys' dreams.  Hammered Toledo steel brings back a warrior's faded memory.

]]> Yardsticks and broken maple limbs  are the pirate swords of boys' dreams.  Hammered Toledo steel brings back a warrior's faded memory.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5568208 Sun, 27 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500 545 full false To my Republican friends To my Republican friends Yankees or Cardinals. Bears or Patriots. Red Wings or Blues. The teams play on.

]]> Yankees or Cardinals. Bears or Patriots. Red Wings or Blues. The teams play on.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5568064 Wed, 23 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0500 495 full false A veteran's thoughts on 9-11 A veteran's thoughts on 9-11 There are days that define a generation. Pearl Harbor Day. November 23, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. And 9-11. Days that reverberate through history. And the aftermath of those days haunt us today. Twenty-two veterans a day take their own lives. We, as a nation, owe them more. 

This podcast is adapted from a speech Bill Enyart made to the employees of Aledade, a nation-wide primary care physician health care management practice to honor 9-11 and focus attention on the issue of veteran suicide. Special thanks to Erica Lanter-Stewart, Illinois Army National Guard veteran and Aledade executive, for her work in making the event possible.

]]> There are days that define a generation. Pearl Harbor Day. November 23, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. And 9-11. Days that reverberate through history. And the aftermath of those days haunt us today. Twenty-two veterans a day take their own lives. We, as a nation, owe them more. 

This podcast is adapted from a speech Bill Enyart made to the employees of Aledade, a nation-wide primary care physician health care management practice to honor 9-11 and focus attention on the issue of veteran suicide. Special thanks to Erica Lanter-Stewart, Illinois Army National Guard veteran and Aledade executive, for her work in making the event possible.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5379862 Fri, 11 Sep 2020 07:00:00 -0500 557 full false Advice on how to write a good speech Advice on how to write a good speech Sound advice on writing good speeches, KISS and KISS leads to quicker kisses.

]]> Sound advice on writing good speeches, KISS and KISS leads to quicker kisses.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5224255 Sun, 06 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500 431 full false Late summer signs Late summer signs Tomatoes ripening on a windowsill mean it's late summer in the Midwest.

]]> Tomatoes ripening on a windowsill mean it's late summer in the Midwest.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5224024 Thu, 03 Sep 2020 00:00:00 -0500 608 full false Summer of '67 Summer of '67 A summer job, a girlfriend with a white convertible and clouds of war on a teenager's horizon. The summer of '67.

]]> A summer job, a girlfriend with a white convertible and clouds of war on a teenager's horizon. The summer of '67.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5223943 Mon, 31 Aug 2020 07:00:00 -0500 692 full false The Legend of Bob Neal The Legend of Bob Neal Friday night football, Mogen David and fish sandwiches...another legend created.

]]> Friday night football, Mogen David and fish sandwiches...another legend created.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5077019 Tue, 25 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500 486 full false The Wish Book The Wish Book The Wish Book, everything you always wanted before Amazon Prime.

]]> The Wish Book, everything you always wanted before Amazon Prime.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5076992 Sun, 23 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0500 376 full false Gold Star Mission- riding for a purpose Gold Star Mission- riding for a purpose A five-hundred mile bicycle ride in four days to honor the fallen. A story of veterans seeking solace through remembrance.

]]> A five-hundred mile bicycle ride in four days to honor the fallen. A story of veterans seeking solace through remembrance.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5077742 Thu, 20 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0500 557 full false The Pink Pagoda The Pink Pagoda There's trailer living, then there's the Pink Pagoda. A Midwest summer in a single-wide.  

]]> There's trailer living, then there's the Pink Pagoda. A Midwest summer in a single-wide.  

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5076899 Thu, 20 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0500 410 full false Major General (ret) Bill Enyart speaking to the Veterans and Military Families Council, Democratic National Convention Major General (ret) Bill Enyart speaking to the Veterans and Military Families Council, Democratic National Convention Major General (ret) Bill Enyart speaks to the Veterans and Military Families Council at the Democratic National convention on improving the VA and reducing veteran suicides.

]]> Major General (ret) Bill Enyart speaks to the Veterans and Military Families Council at the Democratic National convention on improving the VA and reducing veteran suicides.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-5053586 Tue, 18 Aug 2020 17:00:00 -0500 269 full false The Day Summer Ended The Day Summer Ended  The forty pounds of Kevlar body armor pulling on my neck and shoulders will do little good...

]]>  The forty pounds of Kevlar body armor pulling on my neck and shoulders will do little good...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4036955 Sun, 16 Aug 2020 00:00:00 -0500 304 full false You won't melt... You won't melt... Summer sweat, summer rain, summer jobs.

]]> Summer sweat, summer rain, summer jobs.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4965059 Fri, 14 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0500 405 full false I want my Daddy back... I want my Daddy back... The story of Jill Biden helping heal veterans families from the effects of combat deployments.

]]> The story of Jill Biden helping heal veterans families from the effects of combat deployments.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4964735 Wed, 12 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0500 545 full false It's a family tradition It's a family tradition Fighter pilots on bicycles, Roy Rogers cap pistols, toy soldiers, the gut wrenching sixties, it's a family tradition.

]]> Fighter pilots on bicycles, Roy Rogers cap pistols, toy soldiers, the gut wrenching sixties, it's a family tradition.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4907882 Sun, 09 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0500 495 full false Grandma Dallas' kitchen table Grandma Dallas' kitchen table Farmhouse kitchen tables are meant for family gatherings, saying grace, lumberjack breakfasts but not for spittin' watermelon seeds.

]]> Farmhouse kitchen tables are meant for family gatherings, saying grace, lumberjack breakfasts but not for spittin' watermelon seeds.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4907789 Sat, 08 Aug 2020 09:00:00 -0500 367 full false Tell me a story Grandpa Tell me a story Grandpa Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4644875 Mon, 27 Jul 2020 14:00:00 -0500 291 full false Charm school Charm school Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4644785 Sat, 25 Jul 2020 14:00:00 -0500 660 full false Bicycling the Natchez Trace Bicycling the Natchez Trace Natchez Trace. Four hundred forty miles of gently, rolling pavement runs from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. It's a great way to spend several days on a bicycle...if you don't break it.

]]> Natchez Trace. Four hundred forty miles of gently, rolling pavement runs from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. It's a great way to spend several days on a bicycle...if you don't break it.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4644758 Wed, 22 Jul 2020 14:00:00 -0500 462 full false Military Entrance Processing Station 1969 Military Entrance Processing Station 1969 Spring 1969. America in another of what has become, in the last seventy years, one of its never ending, never winnable wars.  The social divisions, the racial divisions, the political divisions even greater then than today. 

]]> Spring 1969. America in another of what has become, in the last seventy years, one of its never ending, never winnable wars.  The social divisions, the racial divisions, the political divisions even greater then than today. 

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4644548 Mon, 20 Jul 2020 13:00:00 -0500 675 full false Walking the beans Walking the beans Not many farm kids today know the phrase “walking the beans”.  Certainly, no town kids do...

]]> Not many farm kids today know the phrase “walking the beans”.  Certainly, no town kids do...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4580984 Wed, 15 Jul 2020 11:00:00 -0500 440 full false Corvette summer Corvette summer Some summer days just don't work out the way you plan...

]]> Some summer days just don't work out the way you plan...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4476290 Mon, 13 Jul 2020 13:00:00 -0500 398 full false The last Scout campout The last Scout campout Mixing day-old donuts and whiskey while winter camping.

]]> Mixing day-old donuts and whiskey while winter camping.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4471994 Fri, 10 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0500 296 full false The Sweet Williams The Sweet Williams Saying goodbye to one of the four Sweet Williams. 

]]> Saying goodbye to one of the four Sweet Williams. 

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4471922 Wed, 08 Jul 2020 07:00:00 -0500 407 full false The smell of poverty The smell of poverty Poverty smells. It smells like yesterday’s cigarettes on today’s clothes. Like unwashed bodies. Like stale sweat. Like half-burnt motor oil from aging cars with bad mufflers and rusted out floorboards. Like overflowing toilets and full diaper pails. Like coal smoke and chemical factory fumes.

]]> Poverty smells. It smells like yesterday’s cigarettes on today’s clothes. Like unwashed bodies. Like stale sweat. Like half-burnt motor oil from aging cars with bad mufflers and rusted out floorboards. Like overflowing toilets and full diaper pails. Like coal smoke and chemical factory fumes.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4340420 Sun, 28 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0500 383 full false The recruiting sergeant's good advice The recruiting sergeant's good advice

Once in basic military training, we all cursed the lies the recruiting sergeants told us to entice us to enlist, but sometimes they gave good advice...

]]>

Once in basic military training, we all cursed the lies the recruiting sergeants told us to entice us to enlist, but sometimes they gave good advice...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4270085 Thu, 25 Jun 2020 00:00:00 -0500 743 full false Growing up country, or the shack out back Growing up country, or the shack out back Adventures of a three-year-old on his way to the outhouse.

]]> Adventures of a three-year-old on his way to the outhouse.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4269893 Mon, 22 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0500 301 full false Randy and the Rolex: a Father's Day story Randy and the Rolex: a Father's Day story A Father's Day story of the gift from a combat veteran father to his combat veteran son.

]]> A Father's Day story of the gift from a combat veteran father to his combat veteran son.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4238033 Fri, 19 Jun 2020 08:00:00 -0500 487 full false Falling in love with Mrs. Michaels Falling in love with Mrs. Michaels There's love, then there's young love...

]]> There's love, then there's young love...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4116923 Wed, 10 Jun 2020 09:00:00 -0500 637 full false Thunderstorms over Middle America Thunderstorms over Middle America Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4075712 Sun, 07 Jun 2020 13:00:00 -0500 684 full false The Price The Price A soldier's nightmare.

]]> A soldier's nightmare.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-4036796 Wed, 03 Jun 2020 21:00:00 -0500 347 full false Thankless Job Thankless Job They say a dog can smell fear. I can't smell fear, but I know it when I see it...

]]> They say a dog can smell fear. I can't smell fear, but I know it when I see it...

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-3941651 Wed, 27 May 2020 17:00:00 -0500 548 full false More thoughts on Memorial Day 2020 More thoughts on Memorial Day 2020 Most Americans have seen the evening news clips of the president standing at Dover Air Force Base as an American servicemember comes home for the final time. Yet few know what happens after that. As a Memorial Day remembrance this podcast tells the rest of the story.

]]> Most Americans have seen the evening news clips of the president standing at Dover Air Force Base as an American servicemember comes home for the final time. Yet few know what happens after that. As a Memorial Day remembrance this podcast tells the rest of the story.

]]> Bill Enyart Buzzsprout-3845585 Wed, 20 May 2020 11:00:00 -0500 416 full false Talking with Mr. Lincoln Talking with Mr. Lincoln Conversations with Mr. Lincoln on a winter Springfield night.

]]> Conversations with Mr. Lincoln on a winter Springfield night.

]]> Bill Buzzsprout-3831581 Tue, 19 May 2020 14:00:00 -0500 584 full false Memorial Day 2020 Reflections Memorial Day 2020 Reflections Memorial Day reflections in a time of pandemic. The former commander of the Illinois Army and Air National Guard provides insights into the meaning and history of Memorial Day from the perspective of a long-serving veteran. The episode is a tribute to Gold Star families and veterans, as well as servicemembers who have fallen in our country's service.

]]> Memorial Day reflections in a time of pandemic. The former commander of the Illinois Army and Air National Guard provides insights into the meaning and history of Memorial Day from the perspective of a long-serving veteran. The episode is a tribute to Gold Star families and veterans, as well as servicemembers who have fallen in our country's service.

]]> William Buzzsprout-3828401 Tue, 19 May 2020 11:00:00 -0500 439 full false