23 November 2005

FARON FIFTY-ONE YEARS AGO: After Faron’s Army discharge, he and Hilda immediately headed to Nashville. That first weekend, November 19-20, 1954, Faron participated in the Grand Ole Opry anniversary party. The next day he left town with his manager, Hubert Long, for a two-week tour of one-nighters starting in Texas and continuing through Arizona, New […]

16 November 2005

A university press is currently reviewing the book manuscript. Publication is still a year or so away.

9 November 2005

FARON FIFTY-FOUR YEARS AGO: Faron dropped out of Centenary Methodist College in Shreveport on November 1, 1951, before completing his first term. He had enrolled as a business major and his classes included Spanish, physical education, algebra, and American history.

2 November 2005

 This is a weekly newsletter about Faron Young and my progress toward publication of “Tell It Like It Is: A Biography of Faron Young.” A university press is currently reviewing the book manuscript. FARON FIFTY-THREE YEARS AGO: Faron recorded “Goin’ Steady” on October 12, 1952, a month before his induction into the Army. He’d written […]

26 October 2005

To fans and friends and family of Faron Young: This is the first edition of a periodic newsletter on the status of publication of “Tell It Like It Is: A Biography of Faron Young.” Please let me know if you prefer not to be on my mailing list.

Rattlesnake Trail 50K

There were no rattlesnakes at the Rattlesnake Trail 50K in Charleston, West Virginia. At least, we didn’t see any. My running buddy and I wanted to do an ultra together before I moved from Northern Virginia to Japan. I looked in UltraRunning Magazine and found a 50-kilometer race on July 13, less than seven hours […]

Water Survival Training

One perk of being in naval aviation maintenance is the occasional opportunity to fly in the backseat of a jet. While in the training command in 1979, I went through ejection seat training and water survival to do just that. Following a lecture about the ejection seat, we took turns strapping into a seat mounted […]

Commissioning Speech

Speech at  commissioning ceremony for CWO2 Vincent “Red” Phipps, USN, at Naval Air Station Norfolk, 1 March 1988 By LCDR Diane Diekman, USN Several months ago I read a letter in Naval Proceedings that I thought would be perfect to talk about today as Chief Phipps prepares to take the commissioning oath. It was written by […]

Women’s History Month Speech

Women’s History Month speech at Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Japan — 21 March 1997 I’m awed to be standing in front of you today. I never thought I’d be senior enough or important enough to be a luncheon speaker. When my boss and I were discussing whether we should do something for Women’s History […]

Memorial Day speech

Memorial Day speech in Clear Lake, South Dakota — 31 May 1999 WWII veterans John & Mildred Diekman, with daughters Diane & Lorraine Memorial Day officially originated with General Order Number Eleven, issued in 1868 by the Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic. The order designated May 30 as a day to decorate […]