It was October 1962 and the world was on edge. The US military was on high alert, everyone thought nuclear annihilation could happen at any moment. Schools were teaching children to ‘Duck and Cover’ under their desks in the event of an atomic blast. People were digging holes, and pouring concrete in their backyards. Not to build pools, but instead to build a personal fallout shelters - and then quickly filling them with survival supplies. 

It was the Height of the ‘Cuban Missal Crisis’. US President John F. Kennedy and Russian Premier Nakita Khruschev were at odds over the placement of nuclear missiles in Cuba – just a few miles off the coast of Florida. 

There is in Wisconsin an Air National Guard Base, Volk Field, with a 9,000-foot-long runway. What does this have to do with the Cuban Missal Crisis? Listen and find out!

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We live in an amazing time of electric cars, space travel for tourists, telephones in everyone pocket with which we instantaneously speak to some on the other side of the world, satellite navigation that can brings us within inches of any point on the globe, instant access to a volume of information even the Great Library of Alexandria would be envious of. 

Notice I said information – didn’t identify that information as factual or true. And, yes, we are talking about the internet, the World Wide Web, the miraculous digital information superhighway. 

According to a reference I found on the internet, Mark Twain once wrote, “In the vast realm of information on the World Wide Web, fact and fiction doth dance together, much like a pair of mischievous pickpockets.”

And though he never said this – he is right. How can you know if something is factual? What is true? What is good?

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The Career of Staff Sergeant Reckless with the United States Marines Corps began in 1952. This soldiers' heritage went back to an unlikely origin – Mongolia. 

A bit smaller than most but smart, tough, and fast. Sgt Reckless was proven in battle during the Korean War. 

Reckless was assigned to a Recoilless Rifle Platoon, Anti-Tank Company, in the fifth Marine Regiment, and took on responsibilities in what we now call “logistics”. The Sgt moved supplies and ammunition to the front and evacuated casualties. 

In March 1953, Sgt Reckless preformed outstandingly well during the battle for outpost Vegas and was promoted to Corporal. 

During that battle, Reckless Made 50 trips to the front carrying critically needed supplies in, and wounded men out.  During the battle for outpost Vegas, fighting was so fierce that only two men made it out alive and without wounds. Reckless was wounded twice – but kept going. 

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I had the privilege of listening to a few of the experiences and insights of an extraordinary man. A man whom most are probably not very familiar with. His Name is Raja Dhaliwal. 

10 years or so ago, Raj was a taxi driver. He was working long hours in a one of the larger cities in Canada, hauling folk to and from the airport. Raj is generally quiet, very respectful, and kind. 

Raj was not born in Canada – he emigrated there to find a better life. 

Raj has olive skin, a long full beard, and he also wears a turban. And, he is most concerned with how he feels in his heart than how he looks to you. 

I heard him speak a year or so ago to a packed house – Tens of thousands of people. His English was not perfect – but he was very conversant and clear. But, communicating with people is something he does quite well – in at least 4 languages. 

What did this simple cab driver have to say that was so appreciated by those tens of thousands who were there to listen to them? 

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Ever heard of the element Iruim? 

Sounds kind of dangerous, right? Like uranium, plutonium, and other radioactive stuff. 

Well, I’m here to tell you that Irium is most definitely a thing, or at least it was when it was introduced about 100 years ago – but - not a real thing. 

Back in the early part of the ‘Atomic Age’ folks were impressed by the thought of a gently glowing substance filled with an innate energy all its own. Radioactive materials began finding their way into all kinds of things – from pills, to pain reliving pads, tonics, and skin treatments and cosmetics. Folks didn’t know any better – and many of the powers that be insisted radiation was not at all dangerous. 

Well - until somebody jaw fell off – but that’s a whole 'nother story 

The belief in radioactivity as a miracle cure-all gave rise to the super-ingredient Irium. This seemingly magic element apparently had the power to make your teeth clean and white, and it could fight tooth decay too - like nothing else ever discovered. And, it was found in, and only in, Pepsodent toothpaste. 

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This episode includes three very short stories.  One about a fish, a second about a screwdriver, and a third about coins and penny candy.

These subjects may seem random, and unrelated. However, each of these tiny tales have a few notions we could learn from. And together, they can teach a single highly valuable principle.

 https://youtu.be/m8KB25mpC7s
**BIG NEWS: **An Ounce is now on YouTube! Begging for subscribers right now to get us up and recognized in the "algorithm". 
Or you can still catch as audio only version on your favorite podcast platforms 

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An Interview with Anne Jensen, the mother of 3, who has some great insights on teaching children with a short attention span important lessons about life.

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Ever been bothered by the emerging problems in society. You know, that latest stupid fad, the ridiculous clothes some choose to wear - or the way they wear them, or the behavior that was once considered rude that is now commonplace – or the once polite gesture now considered rude. Or, sometimes it’s just keeping things around town cleaned up a little. 

You might think to yourself, ‘somebody needs to do something - there ought to be a law against that’. 

Sure – who hasn’t thought that? 

In the bigger towns and cities in the US back in the mid to late 1800’s, folks noticed things were getting out of hand. Places were starting to get rough, trashy, uninviting - and dangerous. It was sometimes difficult walking about town without someone accosting you for change, or a donation; or sometimes, there were people you had to step over to get where you were going. 

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Over two and a half centuries ago, when the early settlers had just begun building their lives in the wilds of Windham, Connecticut, a highly discordant event took place. It all started on a summer's night, in June 1754. 

Most of the 250 or so residents of the little hamlet had retired for the night. The worries of raising crops, keeping food on the table, and staying safe from the Indians were ever present. But life in the colonies was not for the slacker or the faint of heart. So, sweet slumber had overtaken most. And then it began. 

At first, it was a low, deep rumble. Some thought it was an earthquake. But the sound just continued, and increased in intensity. Folks were moving from curiosity to fear. Some said they could feel their bed frames shuddering. Some heard drums, or the sound of trumpets. Others were sure it was the great day of judgment. 

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George Spencer Millet was a young man with promise.  This blond-haired boy with ruddy cheeks turned the girls heads, even at the tender age of 15. 

George was a bright boy, a little quiet, but active and ambitious. George was involved with his church. He had even secured employment as an office boy at the Metropolitan Life building, and was “adopted” by the young ladies in the stenography pool, who just love his smile and affable quiet demeanor. 

Unfortunately for young George, even with a seemingly limitless future, the poor kid didn’t make it past 15. 

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