Welcome to Pete’s Perspective Blog
We really would like to hear from you. Contact Us.
The Elephant Man – Monroe Journal – April 15, 2021
June 24, 1886 – Brussels, Belgium: Joseph Merrick borrowed money to buy a train ticket and arrived in Leicester, England, the following day. He had no money, no hope and nowhere to go. Joseph walked in the rain to the London Hospital, the only place that might help...
Cabbie’s Advice Saves Career – Monroe Journal – April 8, 2021
June 21, 2011 – Petco Park Stadium, San Diego, California: San Diego Padres pitcher Wade LeBlanc listened to the voice mail informing him he was going back to the Padres’ Triple-A team in Tucson, Arizona. It was the eighth time in three years he had been sent down to...
Father of Fitness – Monroe Journal – April 1, 2021
San Francisco, California – 1951: A doctor labeled him a “quack” and advised against his weightlifting methods believing they were dangerous and could cause a heart attack. A newspaper journalist referred to him as a “charlatan” whose exercise routines could lead to...
Thank You for the Fleas – Monroe Journal – March 25, 2015
1944 – Ravensbruck Concentration Camp – Germany: Prisoners No. 66729 and 66730, sisters Betsie and Corrie ten Boom, huddled under the dim light bulb in the back of Barracks No. 28 so they could read their worn Bible, which they had miraculously smuggled into the...
Peasant Girl Saves France – Monroe Journal – March 18, 2021
1425 A.D. – Doremy, France: At age 13, she was in her father’s garden when she saw a bright light and heard a voice that told her, “Be a good girl. Great things are expected of you.” Frightened and confused, she dared not tell her parents. What would they think about...
The Nun – Monroe Journal – March 11, 2021
August 1948 – Calcutta, India: After years of looking over the wall at the filth and poverty in the streets beyond, she could no longer ignore what she saw. She resigned as principal of St. Mary’s High School for girls to work with the poor. She knew it wouldn’t be...
The Plane that Saved the World – Monroe Journal – March 4, 2021
1940 – Great Britain: Adolf Hitler’s German war machine was rolling across Europe capturing country after country. When France surrendered in June 1940, Great Britain remained the lone holdout, the final domino in the German chancellor’s path. War-torn England still...
Slave to Sailor to Congressman – Monroe Journal – February 25, 2021
May 13, 1862 – Charleston, South Carolina: Robert had planned his escape for weeks. On this foggy night,Charles Relyea, captain of the C.S.S. Planter, and his two white crewmembers left the ship after dark to spend the night ashore with their families. Smalls had...
The Father of Gospel Music – Monroe Journal – February 18, 2021
August 1932 – St. Louis, Missouri: Thomas stared at the telegram. His young wife Nettie, his rock and inspiration, had died during childbirth. He caught the first train home to Chicago only to discover the baby had died, too. Bitter and heartbroken, he assumed God was...
The Legend of No. 42 – Monroe Journal – February 4, 2021
1945 – Brooklyn, New York: Branch Rickey, the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers was deeply concerned that there were no black players in major league baseball. He knew baseball needed to change, but he knew it would be challenging to break the color barrier. Rickey was...
