By DANNY MINTON April 6, 1945, brought a fierce battle off the shore of Okinawa, Japan. The American fleet consisted of three large carriers, a dozen destroyers, four light cruisers, and a couple of light carriers. It also included three battleships, of which one was the USS North Carolina. Onboard the BB55, North Carolina, was my dad, Smitty Minton.  The

By DANNY MINTON In 1963 I watched the news and the report on the funeral service of a man named Lee Harvey Oswald. There were no pallbearers, so the newsmen at the funeral were asked to help carry the coffin to the graveside. It even became difficult to find a preacher to perform the service. Despite all this in the

By DANNY MINTON This past week I took our dog outside and sat in one of the rockers, staring at the night sky. Then, without warning, a sudden sense of sadness swept over me as my thoughts came back to our son, who died seven years ago. For a few moments, my heart swelled, filled with grief over the loss.

By DANNY MINTON In the movie “Rudy,” Daniel Ruettiger is found in the chapel praying when a priest sees him and sits down to talk with him. Daniel is trying to get into Notre Dame and inquires of the priest if he has done everything he could do. The priest responds, “Son, in all my years of theological studies, I

By DANNY MINTON A preacher was making his rounds on a bicycle when he came upon a little boy trying to sell a lawnmower. How much do you want for the mower?’ asked the preacher. “I just want enough money to go out and buy me a bicycle,” said the little boy.  After a moment of consideration, the preacher asked, “Will

By DANNY MINTON The word “hate” seems to be thrown around with a completely new meaning these days. I asked myself what does it mean to “hate” someone? Can you disagree with someone and it not be “hate?”  The dictionary defines “hate” as “to feel intense or passionate dislike.” Synonyms include abhor, loathe, detest, abominate, and despise. Those words exhibit

By DANNY MINTON Chalaza: It’s the Greek word translated as “hailstone.” We’ve all seen one, and we could guess how it gets its name by how it looks. But the only time we’ve ever seen it is in its destroyed state. We see it only after its intended purpose remains marred by tragedy. Want to see one? Go open your

By DANNY MINTON The sea’s gentle swells glistened momentarily, then once again fell dark as the moon appeared from behind the clouds and returned to darkness. The clock had just passed midnight breaking into a new day. It was July 30, 1945. Several hundred miles from the nearest shore in the Philippine Sea, the Portland Class Heavy Cruiser, the USS