Since 2010, Jeremy P. Ämick has been sharing the stories of service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans. His work has been featured in several newspapers, in national magazines, and on the website War History Online. He has compiled 8 military history books, 2 more of which will be completed this year. He makes his home in Russellville, Mo., with his wife, Tina, and their Irish Terrier, Sherman. In his spare time, he enjoys reading about the Cold War, collecting comic books, and listening to vintage music on vinyl.
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Show Notes:
- Jeremy currently lives in Russellville, MO where he was born and raised.
- He has lived there his whole life other than his time in the service.
- When we graduated high school, he wasn’t really focused on his studies and needed direction in his life.
- This is when he started to look at the military.
- He decided to start out with the National Guard because he could serve part-time and hold a full-time job as well.
- Jeremy did Reserves for 2 years followed by 9 years of active duty until he was medically discharged.
- The habit that has led to his success has been prior planning and creating a strategy.
- He has to set goals and follow through to be able to write his weekly articles.
- He always excelled at writing in high school and he had many different influencers in high school.
- Jeremy eventually went on to get a Bachelor’s Degree and 2 Master’s degrees with the financial assistance of the Army.
- In 2009 or 2010 he got started researching a relative who had a ship named in his honor.
- Jeremy’s relative was killed on his ship not long after his wedding
- He wrote a newspaper article about this and was encouraged to write more.
- Jeremy started to write more articles about veterans as well as submitting WWII veterans for the French Legion of Honor Medals
- This is the highest away that the country of France can offer.
- That all led to him writing 8 books and hundreds of newspaper articles.
- When you get a passion you need to follow it.
- Meaning of Memorial day:
- By definition, it is meant to honor those who have perished in service.
- It has now morphed into recognizing living veterans as well
- It is a great chance to share Veteran’s stories
- How to display your patriotism:
- Put your flag out
- Attend a ceremony on Memorial Day
- Jeremy has a good friend that was shot down in Vietnam and was a Prisoner of War for 7 years in Vietnam.
- This man is one of the most positive people that you will ever meet.
- He is a very inspiring individual
- He has been participating in Memorial Day activities over the last few decades and in recent years he has seen attendance significantly dwindle
- This is very discouraging for people like him to see this happening
- Jeremy keeps history alive in his books
- His favorite book is Missouri Veterans: Monuments and Memorials (Images of America)
- It is his favorite not because he got to travel to the four corners of the state but because his wife came with him on most of the journey
- Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis
- Has a true cemetery feel
- Notable Burials include: Sterling Price, William Clark, and Adolphus Busch
- Calvary Cemetery is next door
- Notable Burials include: William Tecumseh Sherman
- Jeremy writes weekly articles found at:
- Wings of a Patriot Air Force Legacy of Major General Don Pittman:
- A lady contacted him and said that she had a cousin that served in the Air Force
- He was a 2 star general from here in Jefferson City
- She was moving to Texas and was wondering if he wanted this general’s effects
- When the General passed away she got most of his belonging as the next of kin
- She just asked that his story would not be forgotten
- He was born on Halloween and his mom died during childbirth
- Shortly after she dies his dad left town and he was raised by his grandparents in Jefferson City
- Eventually became an Air Force Cadet
- He served at Canton Island during WWII
- Mr. Pittman Flew the Berlin Airlift during the Cold War
- Then he transitioned into Vietnam where he served 2 tours as an F100 pilot
- He Commanded the US Air Forces of Korea
- He finished out his military service as the commander of the 24th NORAD Region
- Mr. Pittman is the only 2 Star General to be born and raised in Jefferson City
- Jeremy wrote 7 newspaper articles on him which then morphed into a book (releasing October 15)
- Mr. Pittman donated $50,000 to Helias to set up a scholarship fund that would help students that could not afford it.
- He died on September 11, 2001, watching the coverage on TV.
- He was so angry he had a heart attack
- Mr. Pittman had a neighbor call earlier that day and asked if he had seen everything going on in which he replied that he was so angry that he was ready to get back in an airplane and take care of business.
- They later found him dead in his house.
- To get in touch with Jeremy:
- Email: Jamick1@earthlink.net
- Some traits that he has seen in Veterans are:
- A sense of duty (especially with the Vietnam Veterans)
- Humility (They just feel like they did what anyone would have done)
- Helps out with the Silver Star Families of America and Operation Bugle Boy
Jeremy P. Ämick’s Recharge Round
- Share with us how you believe your mindset affects your life. Having no ego, especially when dealing with Veterans
- What do you do daily to bring Energy into your life? Just getting something started
Sometimes you just have to unwind and deal with nothing about work. - Share the number one connection that has made the biggest impact on your life. Father, Mother, and Mr. Shipley
- What advice has Influenced you the most in your life? Couching your ego when dealing with Veterans
- Recommend a book and share why you love it. Jeremy P. Ämick’s Books
On the Road: The Original Scroll - Define in one sentence or less, what legacy you want to leave on the world. “I have persevered the memory of veterans that would have otherwise disappeared into the sands of time”
