Western civilization has long esteemed heroes on horseback, those men who rode valiant steeds into battle then rode them into political power. Perhaps the first such hero on horseback was Alexander the Great who rode Bucephalus into battles that led to Alexander ruling the known world before age 33. Tales of such heroes echo down … Continue reading Heroes on Horseback; Hoover on Horses
Iowa Senator Guy Gillette wrote to Hoover in early September 1951 seeking advice on how to draft legislation that would ensure federal elections were a ‘fair and honest expression of the will of the electorate.’ Hoover answered the question with his customary thoroughness, detailing six needed changes. Hoover opened his letter to Gillette by writing: … Continue reading Hoover letter to Guy Gillette on the Election of Federal Officials, September 28, 1951
A short time ago, I wrote a blog on Herbert Hoover as a paragon of aging. Well into his 80s, Hoover was still writing books, giving speeches, and serving as elder statesman to the Republican Party. This caught the attention of Hoover’s long-time friend Bernard Baruch, who wrote a magazine article about Hoover’s vitality and … Continue reading Joseph Pilates and Herbert Hoover
Every August brings me face to face with another birthday. Now aged 64, I began to physically challenge myself each August. Coincidentally, August is State Fair season in the Midwest. For the past few years, I’ve challenged myself by entering the Iowa State Fair bench press competition and by taking the Army pullup challenge at … Continue reading August Days Grow Shorter, Winter is Coming
Herbert Hoover’s favorite philanthropic endeavor was promoting the Boys’ Clubs of America. He gave this his usual full-bore effort. Hoover embraced the Boys’ Clubs of America mission ‘to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens.’ The Boys’ Clubs of America trace … Continue reading Herbert Hoover and Boys’ Clubs of America
Herbert Hoover celebrated his 80th birthday in his hometown, West Branch, Iowa. It was a celebration of small-town America, a time capsule of the ‘good old days’ when friends and neighbors got together to share life’s big events. Hoover’s birthday party drew on the volunteer efforts of local citizens to cook, organize the parade, and … Continue reading Happy Birthday Mr. President
On May 28, 1959, Herbert Hoover gave the keynote at a dinner honoring the King of Belgium. Given that his ties to Belgium dated back to the early days of World War I, Hoover was the natural candidate to give this speech. In October 1914, Hoover was called upon to lead famine relief for … Continue reading Herbert Hoover on the Kings of Belgium
Speaking to an American radio audience just before the German surrender at the end of World War II, Hoover raised important issues for Western Civilization in the post-war world. His main focus was on food availability and security. Hoover observed ‘No peace will be possible in nations that are half well-fed and half starved.’ He … Continue reading ‘It’s 11:59 on the Clock of Starvation’
At this time last year, I wrote a blog on Hoover’s return to the world stage in response to President Truman’s request for Hoover’s insights into the food situation in Europe immediately after V-E Day. I summarized an 18-page memo Hoover sent to Truman on May 31, 1945, recapping the main points of their 55-minute … Continue reading Revisiting Hoover’s Memo to Truman, May 1945
Eisenhower Interstate Sign Attentive drivers will notice that the highways connecting America are named the Dwight Eisenhower Interstate Highway System. This is a nod to Eisenhower’s commitment to securing passage of the 1956 Interstate Highway Act, a concrete legacy of his presidency. When discussing improvements to infrastructure today, some policy wonks invoke Ike, calling for … Continue reading The Interstate Highway System, Dwight Eisenhower and Lou Henry Hoover
