Thank the American Soldier on Anniversary of 9 11 Says Author Michael S. Class



Author'ss award-winning history book features conversation with Audie Murphy that is relevant in post 9/11 world.

The vicious attack by Islamic terrorists on 9/11 changed the lives of many Americans, but what happened after 9/11 changed the life of Michael Class: He wrote an American history book for kids. Now, on the five-year anniversary of 9/11, the businessman-turned-author says it'ss time to remember the lessons of history, and it'ss time to thank the American soldier.

After 9/11, I was shocked to see so many adults confused about the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, heroes and villains, explains Class. It was a time when America'ss children were looking for guidance -- and too many adults were behaving badly, and offering a distorted view of American history. I wondered: What would the heroes of the past say to the children of today

To answer that question, Class wrote, photographed and published Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame. In the book, Anthony, the author'ss real-life son, travels through time to meet the heroes of America'ss past. Advanced digital photography places Anthony in real historical photographs with Charles Lindbergh, Neil Armstrong, Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, FDR, Lou Gehrig and Audie Murphy. Anthony'ss conversations with the people of the past are based on things they really said, all properly footnoted. The Web site, www.MagicPictureFrame.com displays some of the book'ss amazing photographs. At the close of World War II, Anthony has a conversation with a young American soldier, who is on his way home from the war in Europe. That soldier is Audie Murphy. Audie Murphy was the most decorated American soldier of World War II, having received 21 medals, including the nation'ss highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

I asked Lieutenant Murphy if the war had changed him, says Anthony in the book. I asked him whether fighting monsters had made him into a monster himself.

Audie Murphy replies: When I was a child, I was told that men were branded by war. Has the brand been put on me Have years of blood and ruin stripped me of all decency Of all belief Not of all belief. I believe in the force of a hand grenade, the power of artillery, the accuracy of a Garand. I believe in hitting before you get hit, and that dead men do not look noble. But I also believe in all the men who stood up against the enemy, taking their beatings without whimper and their triumphs without boasting. The men who went and would go again to hell and back to preserve what our country thinks right and decent.

I thought that Lieutenant Murphy'ss words were remarkable, says Anthony, because, in his time, it was never obvious that the forces of good would triumph over the forces of evil. In my time, things are different. The forces of good clearly have the power to prevail over the forces of evil - it'ss only the will to do what is necessary to win that is in doubt. People demand endless negotiation with the Hitlers of my time, limited responses to brutal attacks, and quick exits from the fields of battle. They whimper that the smallest sacrifices are too much to bear, too expensive, and too inconvenient. They seem to be angry that their daily routine has been disrupted, not that the foes of freedom are on the march. In my time, the men and women who risk the supreme sacrifice to fight for what is right seem fewer and farther between. Their character seems more rare, less appreciated, and even mocked.

On the five-year anniversary of 9/11, we mourn the victims of Islamic terrorism, explains Class. But, we must not forget to thank the people who risk their lives every day to defeat the enemy and keep us safe. The people fighting on the front line in the new World War deserve our thanks, our respect, and our admiration. It'ss time to thank the American soldier. They fight for those who can'st fight for themselves. They fight for what is right.

To read more of Anthony'ss conversation with Audie Murphy, visit the web site: www.MagicPictureFra,e.blogspot.com .

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame was named Outstanding Book of the Year and Most Original Concept of 2006 by Independent Publisher, Reviewers Choice by Midwest Book Review, and Editor'ss Pick by Homefires: The Journal of Homeschooling Online. Nationally syndicated talk-show host Michael Medved calls the book entertaining and educational. Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin says parents and teachers will appreciate the inspiring message this unique history book holds for America'ss next generation. I recommend this book to all young Americans, may they take us to the stars and beyond.

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame (hardcover, 225 pages, $26.50) is available at www.MagicPictureFrame.com by calling toll-free 1-800-247-6553, at select bookstores, and on www.amazon.com. Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame includes built-in tools for parents and teachers: recommendations for hundreds of books, movies, songs, and places to visit, keyed to the subjects of each chapter. The author'ss Web site includes a fun final exam; the author'ss blog is a place for readers to discuss the book'ss moral lessons (www.MagicPictureFrame.blogspot.com).





Thank the American Soldier on Anniversary of 9 11 Says Author Michael S. Class