Monday, January 03, 2011

Today in the Department of Defense, Monday, January 03, 2011

Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates and Deputy Secretary of Defense William J. Lynn have no public or media events on their schedules.

World War Two POW


The January 12, 2011, episode of American Heroes Radio features a conversation with author and World War Two POW Samuel Sy Brenner.

Program Date: January 12, 2011
Program Time: 1900 hours, PACIFIC
Topic: World War Two POW
Listen Live:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2011/01/13/world-war-ii-pow

About the Guest
Samuel Sy Brenner, USA, is the author of The Night I Got Killed. According to the book description, “The Night I Got Killed™ is a non-fiction account of the harrowing and lighter side experiences of Sy Brenner, a WWII ex-P.O.W. medic. Brenner was the “Man of Confidence” for the Lazarett (hospital) prisoners. He went underground and was regularly passed information from a woman thought to be the wife of a German general.

This story differs from others with the documented details of substandard conditions and personal experiences specific to wounded prisoners of war. The imprisoned soldiers involved are immediately engaging as their heroism and challenges are profound.

Brenner was forced to perform functions beyond his medic training that included amputations with improper surgical instruments. His concern of how this affected the lives of the soldiers he treated is a long-term challenge. Not your typical war story, incorporated in this unique chronicle is the struggles of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Brenner’s coping strategies even today include humor, self-discovery and wisdom in dealing with flash-backs, nightmares and self-worth.

Hiding a “secret” to survive Nazi Germany, Brenner lived in constant and solitary fear. A connection to his blood type and a quick thinking soldier next to him saves his life from an American 45 pistol in his face. Brenner’s reported and 103th Infantry-assumed date listed as K.I.A. (Killed in Action) is November 29, 1944. In reality, it is the date he was wounded and captured in Nothalden, France. In the coldest winter to that point in history, the imprisoned Brenner walked in the death march to Germany."

About the Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is police slang for a location cops go off-duty to blow off steam and talk about work and life. Sometimes funny; sometimes serious; but, always interesting.

About the Host
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster was a sworn member of the Los Angeles Police Department for 24 years. He retired in 2003 at the rank of Lieutenant. He holds a bachelor’s from the Union Institute and University in Criminal Justice Management and a Master’s Degree in Public Financial Management from California State University, Fullerton; and, has completed his doctoral course work. Raymond E. Foster has been a part-time lecturer at California State University, Fullerton and Fresno; and is currently a Criminal Justice Department chair, faculty advisor and lecturer with the Union Institute and University. He has experience teaching upper division courses in law enforcement, public policy, law enforcement technology and leadership. Raymond is an experienced author who has published numerous articles in a wide range of venues including magazines such as Government Technology, Mobile Government, Airborne Law Enforcement Magazine, and Police One. He has appeared on the History Channel and radio programs in the United States and Europe as subject matter expert in technological applications in law enforcement.

Listen, call, join us at the Watering Hole:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/lawenforcement/2011/01/13/world-war-ii-pow

Listen from the Archive:
http://www.americanheroesradio.com/world_war_two_pow.html

Program Contact Information
Lieutenant Raymond E. Foster, LAPD (ret.), MPA
editor@police-writers.com
909.599.7530