Israeli war hero buried in county

The grave of Ezekiel Shachar. Photo by Marshall McClung/The Graham Star There are heroes from most of the wars America has fought in buried in cemeteries across Graham County.  Thanks to information supplied by Jim Teasdale, we know there is a hero from Israel buried here also.

Fighting war with the gospel

My elementary school library had a good selection of biographies. The books were written for the elementary reading level.  I read the life stories of presidents, sports greats, generals and folk heroes.

New director raises eyebrows

With all attention being paid to the some of the most-controversial nominations for the Trump cabinet, it is important to also look into the less-publicized picks unnoticed by the public.  These lesser appointments can significantly change Americans lives – depending on who is at the helm.

Confusion or clarity

* Part 1 of a 2-part column Rabbi Jonathan Sacks wrote, “To defend a country, you need an army; to defend a free society, you need schools.”  It’s important to add that those schools need to be able to teach the truth with clarity.

Comparing winters, then and now

The term “Winter of Our Discontent” appears as early as 1594 in Shakespeare’s Richard III, and more recently as of 1961 in John Steinbeck’s novel by that name.  Could it be that God – knowing how hard we mortals are to please – gave us four distinct seasons to choose from?

How God protected a runaway

She was 18 and needed an escape. I was 16 and needed a new perspective on life.  So, as we waited on the second bus load, we planned our journey. Friday would be the day: instead of going to school, we’d go north toward West Virginia.

Faith in humanity restored

In a nutshell, this calendar has been nothing short of challenging.  But throughout the course of life, I find myself continually amazed by God’s ability to put the problems you are facing in perspective.

Learning from elections, whether you win or lose

After losing the 2012 presidential election, it was clear the Republican Party needed major change or it would die.  Border laxity, neo-conservative foreign policy and “Great Society” spending were popular with elites, but not everyday Americans.

Election fallout

Let’s end the hand-wringing, tears, finger-pointing, emotions, get to work and figure out what the heck happened to the Democratic message that was not heard.  Perhaps voters heard it and did not feel it addressed their concerns. I would say that is obvious.

Master’s Mission fire remains vivid

After 50 years of fighting brush fires, certain ones will still cross my mind.  Such is the case with a fire at The Master’s Mission on Little Snowbird over 37 years ago. I did some fact checking with Jim Teasdale, Harold Phillips, and others to jog my memory on certain facts.