The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Leonard Vrana. Vrana was born in Moravia, Texas on 21 March 1921 and attended school in a two-room building. He enlisted in the Navy in 1940. After eight weeks of boot training at San Diego, he went to Pearl Harbor assigned aboard the USS California (BB-44). After serving a while in the Motor Launch Division, he became a striker in a fourteen inch gun turret. He describes the working conditions within a turret, the job assignments and procedures involved in firing the guns. He recalls experiences during the Japanese attack on 7 December 1941 during which the ship sustained bomb and torpedo damage. Following the attack, he was assigned to clean up the bodies of his dead shipmates. The ship was taken to Bremerton for repairs during which time he went to the naval gun factory at Annapolis for eight weeks of training. Afterward, he returned to the California. Vrana was aboard ship during the invasions of the Mariana Islands and during the Battle of Surigao Strait. The ship was hit by a kamikaze during the invasion of Luzon at Lingayen Gulf. After being repaired the California went …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Raymond Mnichowicz. Mnichowicz was born in Chicago, Illinois on 10 November 1927. He joined the US Navy in 1944 and attended boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Following boot camp he was assigned to the engine room of the USS Pochard (AM-375). He tells of the ship being involved in the laying of smokescreens and minesweeping operations prior to the invasion of Okinawa and of the shooting down of Japanese aircraft during the operation. He also tells of the ship sweeping mines in both Sagami Bay and Tokyo Bay prior to the surrender of Japan and of being one of the first Americans to set foot on Japan following the surrender. Mnichowicz was discharged in 1946, but reenlisted shortly thereafter and retired from the Navy in 1967.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Alfred P Birdwell. Birdwell joined the Army around 1943. He served as a tank driver with the 3rd Armored Division. He deployed to La Havre, France. Birdwell participated in the Battle of the Bulge, traveling through Germany along the Siegfried Line into Berlin. He returned to the US and received his discharge in late 1945.

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "Dr. Phil McGraw has become a cultural icon. His forthright manner has won him a legion of fans. If 'Dr. Jesus' were to visit our church, how would he minister to the bereft, the burning and the bitter?"

Interview with Wilburn Snyder, a POW of the Japanese in the Philippines. He answers questions about his time in the military and as a POW in the Philippines.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with William Calhoun. Born in 1922, he joined the Army Air Corps when he was 18 years old. He completed armament school, where he received Bendix power turret training, before volunteering for Army paratroop training. In January 1944, after completing parachute school and Officer Candidate School (OCS), he joined Company F, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment in Port Moresby. He describes activities in Hollandia and Wewak. He also describes actions on Noemfoor, including an incident in which he was wounded. Upon his recovery, he returned to his platoon. They were sent to Leyte as well as Mindoro. At Mindoro, they were subjected to intense shelling by Japanese naval forces. He provides a detailed account of his experiences during the retaking of the fortress on Corregidor Island including parachuting from the airplane to Topside and battling the Japanese on the island at Wheeler Battery, Smith Battery, Grubbs Battery, and Way Battery. He recounts the actions of Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Lloyd G. McCarter. After Corregidor, he participated in operations to destroy Japanese positions on Negros and Murcia as well as to operate a patrol base out of the …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Richard D. Buehrle. He volunteered to join the Navy in 1943 after he graduated from high school. Expecting to have a permanent duty assignment in Australia, he was, instead, called to be a destroyer replacement sailor in New Guinea on the USS Smith (DD-378). He served first as a five-inch gun shell retriever, then as a signalman on the bridge. He relates the story of his selection as a signalman. He also describes living conditions aboard the ship, his clothing, as well as the mail service. He talks about his friendship with Donald Kent. He also mentions Captain Stout. He discusses an attempt to land Marines on Arawe. He describes an attack by Japanese aircraft and kamikazes in the Philippines. He shares anecdotes about Nagasaki and the Japanese surrender. He explains his reason for not remaining in the Navy after the war.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an interview with Bob Balch. Balch joined the Navy in August of 1943. He completed Radio School in February of 1944. In June he traveled to Melanie Bay, New Guinea. He speaks on shellback initiation crossing the equator. He was assigned to the USS Blue Ridge (AGC-2), where he served as a radioman. In August of 1945, after the war ended, Balch worked at a communication center on Manus, in the Admiralty Islands. He worked in the China occupation group beginning October of 1945. Balch returned to the US and was discharged in February of 1946.

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Thomas Ross. Ross was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in September 1922. After graduating from high school he played football at the University of Wisconsin in 1940 and 1941. While in college, he participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Enlisting in the Naval Aviation cadet program in 1942 he began pre-flight training at Iowa City, Iowa. He then went to the Glennville Naval Air Station in Illinois. While there he requested a transfer into the air arm of the US Marine Corps. Upon being accepted he went to Cherry Point, North Carolina where he was assigned to VMSB-331 to pilot SBD dive bombers. The squadron traveled to San Diego where they were put on the USS Nassau (CVE-16) for deployment to Nukufetau Airfield. He was a member of a detachment of the squadron that spent several months on Tarawa where they were subjected to nightly bombings by Japanese aircraft. During June 1944, while on a mission over Maloelap, Ross was forced to ditch due to flak damage. He and his crewman were picked up by a PBY. In July, the squadron converted to F4Us with experienced Corsair pilots …

The National Museum of the Pacific War presents an oral interview with Reuben J. Kammlah. Kammlah served in the Navy aboard the attack cargo ship USS Algorab (AKA-8) as a gunner's mate.

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "The first session will examine the conflicts faced by the Christian performing artist and strategies on how to overcome them. In the second session, participants will view dramatic presentations, perform personal assessments of the spiritual gifts, and discover how those gifts can be used to edify the church."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "How should a Christian 'dress for success' in witnessing to a society that loves to play the role of Joan Rivers, critic extraordinaire? Class examines the virtues that Christians are called to be clothed in to influence others for Jesus Christ."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "References to the prophets (including Isaiah) explode in Matthew! What's happening here? Is Matthew simply claiming the prophets predicted the Christ? A second look at Matthew and prophets reveals striking claims about the identity of Jesus and a message of renewal."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "Writing your spiritual memoir leaves a legacy of faith and ethical values for your family. Isaiah tells the Israelites in Isaiah 51:1,'Look to the rock from which you were cut…' Class will enable the writer to begin that process."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "Take another look at Matthew 19. By seeing it in the larger perspective of Matthew's emphasis on mercy, we may deliver this text from the war-zone of views on marriage and divorce."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "Isaiah's prophetic career began with a personal encounter with God that opened Isaiah's eyes to God's perspective on the sin around him. His prophecies continue to challenge God's people to come face to face with the God who sees and hears."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "Where does preaching fit into the conversation about the missional church? The church that strives to carry out the mission of christ will recover the call to be "in the world, but not of the world." Preaching missionally will help us find our way."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "We have so personalized God that we find it difficult to see God as the prime mover of history. Yet the biblical writings consistently portray God as moving through history to accomplish His purposes. What are those purposes and moves?"

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "These authors will be presenting material from the fourth volume in the 'Heart of the Restoration' series. How do we best account for the church? These authors suggest that the church is primarily the community that lives within the story of God."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "We've been called to follow Jesus in complete, wholehearted obedience. Even though we've said "yes" to Him, there is constant possibility that our minds may somehow be led astray from our sincere and pure devotion to Christ. Listen to the vioce of Jesus call us to love Him, and Him alone!"

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "For nearly 20 years, silence has marked the relationship between the ICOC and 'mainline' churches of Christ. This year's forum breaks the silence. Representatives of each movement will come together to practice the spiritual art of Christian conversation. Come and be a part of this historic conversation."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "We have so personalized God that we find it difficult to see God as the prime mover of history. Yet the biblical writings consistently portray God as moving through history to accomplish His purposes. What are those purposes and moves?"

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "The gulf between black and white churches remains largely in place despite legal desegregaion decades ago. Sensing and Jerry Taylor provide insights into the problem and suggest biblical ways to end these divisions."

Lecture given Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Abilene Christian University: "What goes into sermon preparation? Fleer opens the world of the preacher to us and helps us look over the shoulder of three lecturers: Mark Henderson, Jerry Taylor and Eddie Sharp. They will talk about what went into the preparation and delivery of their lectureship sermons."