Author: sparks1524

I am a novelist, photojournalist, teacher, poet, writer, and story teller.

Travel Log – Where It All Began

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla., (Oct. 9, 2023) –Speeding automobiles daily whoosh past a serene relic from the first civilizations to inhabit the area—the Fort Walton Beach Indian Temple Mound. The Indian Temple Mound and Indian Temple Mound Museum are the centerpieces of the City of Fort Walton Beach Heritage Park & Cultural Center, a gathering … Continue reading Travel Log – Where It All Began

Short Takes – Ghost Light

NEW VIDEO!!  Join our crack paranormal investigators on this Short Takes visit to the haunted ghost light guiding vessels into Pensacola Bay.  The Pensacola Lighthouse is often said to be one of the most haunted structures in the City of Five Flags.  Take a short, spooky journey to visit these spooky, but largely friendly, 'long-term … Continue reading Short Takes – Ghost Light

Short Takes – Totally Worth It

NEW SHORT TAKES VIDEO!!  Battery Worth is one of the many gun emplacements built on the grounds of the ever-evolving Fort Pickens in northwest Florida during the fort's active lifetime.  Today part of Gulf Islands National Seashore, Battery Worth provides a unique insight into the development of coastal defense doctrine during the late 19th and … Continue reading Short Takes – Totally Worth It

Travel Log – Fort Pickens

PENSACOLA, Fla., (Sept. 13, 2023) – Fort Pickens defended Pensacola Bay for over 100 years, serving through a radical development in military technology that saw smooth-bore cannons swiftly give way to aerial bombardments and missiles. Fort Pickens began its martial life as part of the Third System of seacoast fortifications.  This military construction boom resulted … Continue reading Travel Log – Fort Pickens

Veteran Talk – Fighting the VA

Join me for a brief and energetic conversation about problems with the VA in general, and the VA Pensacola Clinic in particular.  After being shunted between NINE providers (primary care and mental health) in LESS than two years, I'm fed up.  There is a solution to this, but it's a long game and we have … Continue reading Veteran Talk – Fighting the VA

Gettysburg 160, Parts 1 – 5

Gettysburg 160 is a day-by-day exploration of the Battle of Gettysburg—in all its glory and horror—during the 160th anniversary over July 1 – 3, 2023.  This video links all five parts into one production! https://youtu.be/K88lZVpNw60 #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #Gettysburg, #CivilWar, #BattleofGettysburg, #AbrahamLincoln, #RobertELee, #GeorgeMeade, #Union, #Confederate, #war, #military, #Pennsylvania,

Gettysburg 160 – Days 4 & 5

NEW VIDEO!  The Battle of Gettysburg crashed to a halt on July 3rd, 1863, but the story doesn't end there.  The Confederate army began its retreat to Virginia in pouring rain while, at the same time, the great Confederate citadel at Vicksburg in Mississippi fell to Union forces.  These double victories together were the fulcrum … Continue reading Gettysburg 160 – Days 4 & 5

Gettysburg 160 – Day 3

NEW VIDEO!!  July 3rd, 1863—the Battle of Gettysburg comes crashing to a limb-ripping, rib-cracking, skull-crushing, soul-shocking end.  Although the grand debacle of Pickett's Charge rightfully dominates the story, there are other highly significant areas that were part of this grand and bloody pageant. https://youtu.be/SzdU4hH_H8w #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #gettysburg, #civilwar, #abrahamlincoln, #robertelee, #Pennsylvania, #military, #army, #war,

Gettysburg 160 – Day 1

NEW VIDEO SHORT!  Day 1 of the Battle of Gettysburg sees the first shot fired at 7:30 in the morning.  This small shot heard 'round the nation signaled the beginning of the biggest battle of the war. https://youtu.be/jPH_f6xW4gM #nathanaelmiller, #sparks1524, #civilwar, #gettysburg, #Union, #Confederate, #Pennsylvania,