Al Hunter’s Story Archive

Big Ben Parker: “one quick shift of his clenched fist…”

February 20, 2020 | by Al Hunter

Recently, I wrote a two-part series on Carnation Day, the little known holiday created to honor our third assassinated President, William McKinley. While researching that story, I came across a man whose name should rightly echo through the halls of American heroism. Instead, his name is forgotten, his place in … Read More

Abraham Lincoln Dies in Indiana

February 13, 2020 | by Al Hunter

“In his 10th year he was kicked by a horse, and apparently killed for a time.” The words were Abraham Lincoln’s. He was describing his boyhood in the hills of southern Indiana. Although much has been written about Abraham Lincoln’s life, his time as a Hoosier has been woefully neglected. … Read More

Lewis Gardner Reynolds, Carnation Day & Abraham Lincoln, Part 2

February 6, 2020 | by Al Hunter

Last week the oft forgotten holiday known as “Carnation Day” was detailed in Part I of this series. The holiday, today observed mostly only in Ohio, was created to commemorate assassinated President William McKinley on his birthday (January 29) by wearing his favorite flower, a red carnation, to honor him. … Read More

Lewis Gardner Reynolds, Carnation Day & Abraham Lincoln, Part 1

January 30, 2020 | by Al Hunter

So what did you do January 29? Did you place a red carnation in your lapel or buy a small arrangement for your table? Most likely, like most Americans, you did nothing remarkable at all. Our neighbors one state to the east probably joined you in your average humpday activities. … Read More

Disney Eats McDonald’s, Part 2

January 23, 2020 | by Al Hunter

Last week, In Part 1 of this article, I discussed the relationship between two titans of Pop Culture whose brand has flourished worldwide to unprecedented levels: Walt Disney and Ray Kroc of McDonald’s. It is amazing to think that both men served in the same ambulance company at the tail … Read More