Thank the American Soldier on Veterans Day, Says Magic Picture Frame Author Michael Class

The vicious attack by Islamic terrorists on 9/11 changed the lives of many Americans, but what happened after 9/11 changed the life of Michael Class: He wrote an American history book full of moral lessons for kids. Now, on Veterans Day, the businessman-turned-author reminds his young readers to thank the American soldier and honor the fallen in the War on Terror.

"We routinely mourn the victims of Islamic terrorism," explains Class. "But, we forget to thank the people who risk their lives every day to defeat the enemy and keep us safe. The people fighting on the front line deserve our thanks, our respect, and our admiration. This Veterans Day, thank the American soldier. Take time to honor the Americans who fought and died for our safety and freedom."

On why he wrote his unique history book for kids, Class explains: "After 9/11, I was shocked to see so many adults confused about the difference between good and evil, right and wrong, heroes and villains. It was a time when America's children were looking for guidance - and too many adults were behaving badly, and offering a distorted view of American history. I wondered: What would the heroes of the past say to the children of today?"

To answer that question, Class wrote, photographed, and published Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame. In the book, Anthony, the author's real-life son, travels through time to meet the heroes of America's past. Advanced digital photography places Anthony in real historical photographs with Charles Lindbergh, Neil Armstrong, Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, FDR, Lou Gehrig, Audie Murphy, and soldiers on Normandy beach on D-Day. Anthony's conversations with the people of the past are based on things they really said, all properly footnoted.

The Web site, www.MagicPictureFrame.com, displays some of the book's amazing photographs.

In each chapter of the book, Anthony compares the people and events of the past with the people and events of his own time. It makes for a challenging read: Anthony discusses the nature of good and evil, right and wrong, war and peace, what it means to be an American, honor and discipline, success and achievement, courage and destiny, marriage and family, God and purpose.

Says Class: "Now, we hear that confused adults are teaching young Americans to honor conscientious objectors on Veterans Day. Well, if children must be subjected to this distortion of the holiday, then let them study the life of Sergeant Alvin C. York."

Sergeant York was a conscientious objector who wound up fighting in Europe during World War I. York was awarded the Medal of Honor for leading an attack on a German machine gun nest, killing 25 German soldiers and capturing 132 others during fierce fighting in France. Sergeant York's story became an Academy Award winning movie in 1941, starring actor Gary Cooper. The film is on the recommended list of movies that Class recommends all kids see.

The perspective on war that only veterans can teach, is a fundamental part of the chapter on World War II in the new book by Michael Class. At the close of World War II, Anthony meets another American hero. Anthony has a conversation with a young American soldier, who is on his way home from the war in Europe. That soldier is Audie Murphy. Audie Murphy was the most decorated American soldier of World War II, having received twenty-one medals, including the Nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.

Audie Murphy tells Anthony: "When I was a child, I was told that men were branded by war. Has the brand been put on me? Have years of blood and ruin stripped me of all decency? Of all belief? … Not of all belief. I believe in the force of a hand grenade, the power of artillery, the accuracy of a Garand. I believe in hitting before you get hit, and that dead men do not look noble. … But I also believe in … all the men who stood up against the enemy, taking their beatings without whimper and their triumphs without boasting. The men who went and would go again to hell and back to preserve what our country thinks right and decent."

"I thought that Lieutenant Murphy's words were remarkable," says Anthony, "because, in his time, it was never obvious that the forces of good would triumph over the forces of evil. In my time, things are different. The forces of good clearly have the power to prevail over the forces of evil - it's only the will to do what is necessary to win that is in doubt. People demand endless negotiation with the Hitlers of my time, limited responses to brutal attacks, and quick exits from the fields of battle. They whimper that the smallest sacrifices are too much to bear, too expensive, and too inconvenient. They seem to be angry that their daily routine has been disrupted, not that the foes of freedom are on the march. In my time, the men and women who risk the supreme sacrifice to fight for what is right seem fewer and farther between. Their character seems more rare, less appreciated, and even mocked."

Anthony learns that the American soldier fights for what is right: The American soldier fights for those who can't fight for themselves. "But this is a truth that many Americans have forgotten," says Class. "It's time to remember the truth, and to share it with our children."

But, Class is doing more than just challenging his young readers to think critically about their modern time - he is offering his young readers hope and guidance. From his discussions with America's heroes, Anthony learns that "the purpose of life is to live a life of purpose, one person really can make a difference, and doing the right thing always matters."

Every chapter of the book carries that inspiring message. The chapter about Lindbergh's flight is really about choosing one's destiny. The story of Lou Gehrig is one of a virtuous life. The chapter about Thomas Edison is really about the benefits of hard work. The story of Apollo 11 is about wonder, taking risks, and courage. The story of Dr. Jonas Salk and the cure for polio is really about dedicating one's life to a higher purpose. When Anthony meets his immigrant great-grandfather at Ellis Island in 1907, it's really a story about what it means to be an American. Anthony’s observation of D-Day and the liberation of the death camps during the Holocaust is a testament to the reality of evil and the need to fight it. 

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame was named Outstanding Book of the Year by Independent Publisher (2006); awarded the Parent-to-Parent Adding Wisdom Award for Excellent Books (2007); is a celebrated winner of an iParenting Media Award for Excellent Products (2007), was named Reviewers Choice by Midwest Book Review (2006); and garnered Editor's Pick by Homefires: The Journal of Homeschooling Online (2006). Nationally syndicated talk-show host Michael Medved calls the book "entertaining and educational." Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin says "parents and teachers will appreciate the inspiring message this unique history book holds for America's next generation. I recommend this book to all young Americans, may they take us to the stars and beyond."

Anthony and the Magic Picture Frame (hardcover, 225 pages, $25.00) is available at www.MagicPictureFrame.com, by calling toll-free 1-800-247-6553, at select bookstores, and on www.amazon.com.

Amazon link: www.magicpictureframe.com/buythebook.html

Watch the Magic Picture Frame video: http://www.magicpictureframe.com/home/watchthevideo.html

Take Anthony's History Test: http://www.magicpictureframe.com/beyondthestory/anthonyshistorytest.html

Read Book Reviews: www.magicpictureframe.com/reviews.html

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Note to editors and book reviewers: Michael Class and Anthony are available for interviews. Photographs and review copies of the book are available.

Contact: Michael Class, class@MagicPictureFrame.com, Magic Picture Frame Studio, P.O. Box 2603, Issaquah, WA 98027-0119.