Ranger Headquarters

Ranger Headquarters
Big Pine National Forest, Knotty Pine

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Twenty Fathoms Under the Sea - RB001

 RANGER BILL for Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021, is:

RB001 Twenty Fathoms Under the Sea

Bill and the boys go deep sea fishing with old salvage man Ben Benson. Ben's son died in a diving accident during a salvage job, and Ben has never forgiven himself for it. An old navy sub gets stuck on the bottom not far from Ben's ship. Navy rescue ships can't arrive in time to save the crew. Ben can help but won't. Will 20 sailors die needlessly in 20 fathoms of the sea?

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

RB214 The Spirits and the Spirit, part 2

 RANGER BILL for the last Tuesday of 2021 is

RB214 The Spirits and the Spirit, part 2

Bill, Stumpy, and their friend and map maker George find Casadel, a young man from the village nearby, to act as a guide to the old Portuguese fort. Casadel is afraid but willing to enter the fort. The fort is huge and full of small rooms and hallways. It is also dark and spooky. Eerie sounds come from many directions. Casadel disappears. Did he run away? Did evil spirits take him? Or, is he hurt? Bill soon realizes they must find a way out and look for Casadel.

Monday, December 27, 2021

RB213 The Spirits and the Spirit, part 1

 RANGER BILL for the last Monday of 2021 is

RB213 The Spirits and the Spirit, part 1

Bill and Stumpy and a map maker go on vacation in South America to visit an old abandoned Portuguese fort hidden deep in the jungle along the Amazon River. The local residents are afraid to go to the fort for fear of the spirits of the dead Portuguese soldiers there. Legend says the soldiers were killed by natives who were made slaves to dig gold for the soldiers. Now the spirits of the soldiers guard their ill-gotten gold.

Friday, December 24, 2021

RB201 Christmas Bells

 Our Ranger Bill

for Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2021, is
Christmas Bells

Policeman Pat O’Roark faces death just before Christmas. He finds strength to live when he hears the church bells ring. When the bells break, only Herman Schmidt, can repair them. Herman has an attack of severe rheumatism and can’t climb the tower ladder to make the needed repairs. Bill and the boys are called on to try to fix the bells.

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

RB211 Muscle and Prayer (part 1)

 Ranger Bill for this Wednesday before Christmas (12/22/2021) is

RB211 Muscle and Prayer (part 1)

Frenchy DeSalle fears no one and nothing. But the huge, strapping French Canadian logging foreman, has gone out of his mind with fear. Frenchy and his loggers find a cougar and a bear, both crushed to death. Frenchy knows these are the calling cards of the one man he fears, "The Bear." Who is this Bear? Why does Frenchy fear this man so? And what has happened to Frenchy's faith? Frenchy's boss calls for the one man who may be able to help Frenchy - Chief Ranger Bill Jefferson.

Saturday, December 18, 2021

The Cat in the Wall - RB065

 Our late Sat. morning Ranger Bill

for 12/18/21 is
The Cat in the Wall
Stumpy’s neighbor Beulah Lindstrom thinks Stumpy is trying to steal her cat Blackie. She insists that Blackie has crawled inside the walls of Stumpy’s house. She wants Blackie back at any cost – to Stumpy’s house! And we get to hear from Bill’s mom in this adventure.

RB208 The Church at Bent Creek (part 1)

 Our early Saturday morning RANGER BILL adventure for Dec. 18, 2021, is:

RB208 The (Haunted) Church at Bent Creek

Much of Bent Creek is abandoned including the general store - and the church. The reason it's abandoned is because folks there believe that the Bent Creek Church is haunted. Weird things go on at night inside the church - lights go on and off, the bell rings by itself, strange noises come from the tower, and the organ plays all by itself. Young pastor Jeff and his wife Jean are even afraid to stay at the parsonage. Bill, Stumpy and Gray Wolf have no idea what to do about the strange things that go on at the church. How will the gospel ever be preached again in Bent Creek?


This is part 1 of a 2-part Ranger Bill adventure. Don't miss a minute of the action and excitement!!!

Friday, December 17, 2021

The Town that Wouldn't Move - RB207

 We wind up this work week with another exciting RANGER BILL adventure:

RB207 The Town that Wouldn't Move

The small town of Big Rock must move to make way for the construction of a badly needed hydro-electric dam. Not one person in the town is willing to move. The townspeople prefer to fight rather than move. Bill is appointed to be the mediator in this dispute. Bill must decide whether Big Rock stays or goes. No matter who wins this fight, Bill loses.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

RB206 The Hot Million

 RANGER BILL for Thursday 12/16/2021 is:

RB206 The Hot Million

It's hot and dry in the forest as Bill and Stumpy inspect the trees and fire lanes around Big Gap. The fellas also inspect the high-tension power lines that run through the gap. A million volts of electricity pass up and down those lines. The boys find a weak line that is about to break. The sparks from a broken power line could start a raging treetop fire. There is a power company repair crew working not too far away. The boys find the crew and ask the foreman Burt Engals to take his crew and fix the badly stressed line, but Burt refuses. What can the boys do now to protect the forest from this high-powered danger?


Don't miss out on the excitement of this "new" adventure!

RB205 The Swinging Tower of Eagles Rest

 Our Ranger Bill story for Wednesday 12/15/2021 is:

RB205 The Swinging Tower of Eagles Rest

Fire tower 10 is one of the highest in the national forest with breathtaking views and a reputation for swaying in the high winds there. Folks from all around the Knotty Pine area like to visit tower 10 and its rangers, Tom and Joe, and to see Eagles' Rest. Young Ken Winthrop has just hiked out to Eagles' Rest when a severe snow storm hits. Ranger Tom slips and breaks his leg, the phone line breaks, and their radio link to headquarters goes down when the antenna blows away. A severely injured ranger and no contact with the outside world - can anything else go wrong?

Enjoy this exciting adventure!!!

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

RB204 Chief of the Dakotas aka Chief Gray Wolf

RANGER BILL this Tuesday 12/14/2021, is
Chief of the Dakotas
 

Gray Wolf’s father Chief Black Wolf has died. The Dakotas want to make Grey Wolf their new chief, but he doesn’t want the job. Will he give in to the Dakotas’ demand? Will they take Gray Wolf by force? Will he run away and hide? And what can or will Bill and Henry do to help their friend and fellow ranger? 

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Penny Wise and Pound Foolish - RB064

 Our late morning Ranger Bill

for Sat., Dec. 11, 2021 is 
RB064 Penny Wise and Pound Foolish

It’s late winter in Knotty Pine. Winter is just beginning to loosen its grip, and the snow is starting to melt. Bill, Henry, Stumpy, and Gray Wolf take a trip upriver to see the construction of the new Silver River Dam. The construction foreman Brick Finch is as proud as a peacock of the money he saved on motors for the flood gates. But will there be other costs to these cheap motors?

RB200 Hunt's Place

RANGER BILL for early Saturday morning, Dec 11, 2021 is

RB202 Hunt's Place 

Mr. Hunt won’t let Bill use any of his property for overnight camp outs with the Knotty Pine Boys Club. Soon Mr. Hunt has several problems with his house. He suspects that Bill’s boys club is responsible. Who is causing all the trouble at Hunt’s place and why?


This story is also known as "Mr. Hunt's Estate".

RB199 Raging Rapids

  RANGER BILL for Friday, Dec. 10, 2021, is 

RB199 Raging Rapids

Henry helps Pete Flory at a Christian camp canoe trip. Two of the boys, Ed and Paul, constantly get into trouble. The boys decide to sneak away and ride the rapids. They get trapped on the rocks in the middle of the river. The river is rising and getting swifter. They can't escape and no one can get to them. Can Bill and Stumpy save the boys before they drown?


RB197 Bill Gets Lost in a Cavern aka Transistor Walkie-Talkies

  RANGER BILL for

Thursday. Dec, 9, 2021:

Bill Gets Lost in a Cavern aka Transistor Walkie-Talkies

Bill asks Henry and his boys group to test out the rangers’ new walkie-talkies. The boys’ test takes them deep into the forest where they discover wreckage from a recent plane crash. But the plane’s occupants are missing. The search is on for the missing pilot and passengers.

Chat about  the adventures of Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Gray Wolf on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column). Email me if you are looking for CDs. or mp3 files.

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Boy Who Wouldn't Quit - RB062

  Our late Saturday morning Ranger Bill

for Dec. 4, 2021 is

The Boy Who Wouldn't Quit

Young Norman hurts his back when he falls on a rock while playing football. Surgery doesn't completely fix the damage to Norman's back. The lad is left unable walk. Norm's dad Al is afraid of anything that might make Norman's injury any worse.
Norm wants to join scouts and participate fully in all the activities. But he can't convince his dad. To advance in scouts, Norm will have to hike five miles, learn to swim, and more. Norm will need Bill's help. Will Bill be able to help Norm overcome his handicap and Al overcome his fears?

RB193 (The Fire Bomber's) Pink Cloud

Our early Saturday morning RANGER BILL adventure-filled story for Dec. 4, 2021, is:
(The Fire Bomber's) Pink Cloud


Abner Benson is Bill’s friend from the service. Abner is a pilot with a new way to fight fires by dropping pink clouds of calcium borate on grass. His plane crashes while demonstrating his idea and nearly kills him. Abner’s wife Marge wants him to quit flying. Can Abner stay out of the cockpit to please Marge and still lead Bill’s new fire bombers? 

Saturday, November 27, 2021

The Laughing Face - RB061

 Our Ranger Bill for late Saturday morning Nov. 27, 2021 is RB061:

The Laughing Face aka The Wolverine Scare

Trouble is brewing at Trappers Landing in Big North Country. Roy Westgate's trading post is busy with trappers who should be working their lines. Trappers Abe and Jeff tell of losing pelts from their trap lines.  Mac and Shorty say they followed tracks they have never seen before. Then Big Jack arrives to say he's seen wolverine tracks. The wolverine is the most feared animal in the wild. Trappers believe a wolverine killed Beaver Dan in Alaska. The news creates a panic and causes most of the trappers to quit for the year. Roy's trading post will close if the trappers quit. Roy asks Bill to help. But how can Bill fight superstition and the fear it brings?

Contentment in God's Will - RB187

 RANGER BILL for early Saturday morning after Thanksgiving is:

RB187 Contentment in God's Will aka A Need for Excitement

Ranger John Bishop and his wife Jane are bored with their lonely life in an isolated ranger station. John prays that God would break up the terrible monotony of this lonely job. God answers John’s prayer in some interesting and unexpected ways. Life begins to change when an injured Moose McBain and a cougar arrive at John's north station.

Saturday, November 20, 2021

Decision for Death - RB060

 Our Ranger Bill

for late Saturday morning Nov. 20, 2021 is
Decision for Death

Eight climbers on the Savage Mountains (better known as the Refrigerator Mountains) fall into a crevasse. Bill and his rangers are called in to rescue the trapped climbers. Two men have fallen so far that they can’t be reached. Will Bill be able to find some way to rescue these men before they suffer the slow, maddening process of freezing to death?

Trouble with Gossip, The - RB181

RANGER BILL for early Saturday morning Nov. 20, 2021 is

RB181 The Trouble with Gossip aka Tell Me a Story

Amelia Perdy starts a rumor that Bill is forcing Stumpy to retire. The rumor spread all over town. KP city council wants to honor Stumpy, so they throw him a retirement dinner. Bill and Stumpy decide go along and play “Tell Me a Story” at the dinner.

Saturday, November 13, 2021

Man with the Limp RB059

 Our Ranger Bill

for late Saturday morning Nov. 13, 2021 is 
RB059  The Man with the Limp

The chairman of the church mission board and the chairman of the orphanage board want to remove a man who is member of both boards because he spends too much time in prayer. Meanwhile a mysterious stranger with a limp comes to Knotty Pine causing much talk.

Water Tank Rescue RB175

  RANGER BILL for Early morning Saturday Nov. 13, 2021 is

Water Tank Rescue

 Knotty Pine’s new water tower has just been built and is ready fill with fresh water for all the thirsty townsfolk of Knotty Pine. But Henry and his buddy Alec want a closer look at this new behemoth before it begins its work. Out of curiosity, the boys decide to climb to the top of the tower. Then curiosity gets them into some real trouble, and they don’t know how to get out! This little escapade turns into a matter of life and death!

This story is also known as "Smart Alec's Water Tank Inspection".

Saturday, November 6, 2021

Skiers in the Sky RB058

 Our late Saturday morning Ranger Bill for Nov. 6, 2021 is 

RB058 Skiers in the Sky


Skiers on a cable car are trapped when the car stops in the middle of the air. Then the cable begins to break. Bill must find a way to get up to the car and get the skiers down.

Ranger Bill Times Two aka A Case of Mistaken Identity RB169

 RANGER BILL for early Saturday morning for 11/6/21 is one of the wilder tales among its stories,

RB169 "Ranger Bill Times Two" aka "A Case of Mistaken Identity".

JoJo Jones and his mother run into a man they believe is Ranger Bill, but rather, this man is a foreign spy. JoJo thinks Bill is on a secret mission, so he slips away from his mom to follow Bill #2. JoJo is heading for more trouble than he can imagine. By the way, where is Bill #1 (real Bill)?

Stop by our Facebook Group Page to read about some of the other RB stories airing this week.

Saturday, October 30, 2021

RB057 The Muddy River

 RANGER BILL for late morning Sat. 10/30/21 is:

The Muddy River

Soil erosion is washing tons of black top soil into the Shady River turning its clear blue mountain waters into a muddy mess during each rain storm. Senator Baxter wants a dam on the Shady to control the river's flood waters and stop erosion. Ranger Bill has soil erosion under control in the national forest. Bill knows the same methods will work just as well for farmers and ranchers all along the Shady. Who is behind Senator Baxter's dam and assisting the senator to get the dam built? How can a government employee like Bill oppose a US senator? Will farmers be saddled with taxes to pay for a dam?

RB163 The Lost Pig aka Tangerine the Pig

 RANGER BILL for early Saturday morning for Oct. 30, 2021, is

The Lost Pig aka Tangerine the Pig

Young Jody and Jill’s family has little money. They hope their pig Tangerine will win the cash prize at the fair. But Tangerine has other ideas. She escapes from the fair and hides in a herd of pigs stranded when their delivery truck crashes. The pigs are headed for the butcher. Will Tangerine end up on some family’s dinner table instead of the winners’ circle at the fair?Catch Today's show on TuneIn.com almost any time today or go to our Facebook page and listen any time you'd like!

Saturday, October 16, 2021

RB054 The Marauder of Goose Lake

 Our early Saturday morning Ranger Bill

for the week of Oct. 16, 2021 is
Marauder of Goose Lake

There's trouble at Goose Lake - BIG trouble. Homes and cabins along the lake are being broken into and wrecked. Angry homeowners want Ranger Bill and his boys to see the damage and find the culprit or culprits. Stumpy and Gray Wolf soon find something that they can't believe and don't want to believe. It looks like the biggest grizzly alive has come back, Old Joe. The Goose Lake residents are hopping mad and impatient. They aren't going to wait for Bill to get Old Joe. The men plan to hunt down Old Joe themselves. What is Bill going to do this time? How can he handle a mod of angry citizens and this enormous grizzly?

RB156 The No Good Dog

The early Saturday morning RANGER BILL

for Oct. 16, 2021 is

The No Good Dog

 Skinny (Horatio Thornwall Skines) works for successful bloodhound breeder Jarvis Engell and his son Ed. Jarvis gives Skinny a runt pup Peanut. Jarvis says that Peanut should grow up to be a great show dog. Ed gets jealous and wants his own top show dog because wants to defeat Skinny at dog shows. Which dog will win, the one raised on love or the one raised with a club?

Saturday, October 9, 2021

RB052 An Old Horse Learns New Tricks

 Our late Saturday morning Ranger Bill

for Oct. 8, 2021 is
An Old Horse Learns New Tricks

While on the trail, Bill’s horse and faithful friend Storm, falls seriously ill. Bill flies Storm back to State U.. The vets there can’t seem to help. Bill demands the wisdom of his country vet, much to the city vets’ disapproval.

RB150 Cliff Rescue

 Ranger Bill for 

early Saturday morning, Oct. 9, 2021

Cliff Rescue aka Clean-Up Work aka Timmy Climbs Mt. Evergreen

Spring cleaning at ranger headquarters is interrupted by trouble on Mt. Evergreen. Champion mountain climber Keith takes his family climbing on Mt. Evergreen. Little Tim goes wandering off from camp and gets trapped on a crumbly, narrow ledge. Bill and the fellas must find a way to rescue the young climber before he falls off the ledge.

Saturday, October 2, 2021

RB051 Catching a Big Fish with a Small Hook

 Our late morning  Ranger Bill

for Sat., Oct. 2, 2021 is
Catching a BIG Fish with a Small Hook

A government scientist, Dr. Orlando, needs Dr. Jonathan Black to be his replacement. But Dr. Black disappeared after a lab accident killed a friend. The Secret Service thinks that Dr. Black is hiding in the Knotty Pine area. Ranger Bill knows someone who may be the missing doctor.

RB144 Mystery Island

RANGER BILL for early Saturday morning Oct. 2, 2021 is

Mystery Island

Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Mary Lu go camping on Lake Arthur Island. They meet fellow campers kindly Mr. Overby and grumpy Mr. Meany. Both men appear to be keeping secrets about themselves. On their very first evening there, Henry and Mary Lu hear some very strange sounds. The kids get scared and want to go home. What are Bill and Stumpy going to do to salvage their camping trip and get rid of the strange noises?

Saturday, September 25, 2021

RB050 The Log Jam

 Our late Saturday morning Ranger Bill

for Sept. 25, 2021 is

The Log Jam

It is springtime in the Shady River Valley. The Shady River fills with snow melt and logs from the various logging camps high up in the mountains. Bill calls on the services of Frenchy DeSalle to free up a spring log jam that is causing the Shady River to flood homes along its banks. The jam is so huge that Frenchy may not be able to clear it!

RB138 The Last Fire Call

The early Saturday morning RANGER BILL for 9/25/21 is:

The Last Fire Call 

 “Grumpy” Jenkins is tired of getting up in the middle of the night and fighting forest fires. He decides to quit the service and retire. Stumpy buys some expensive fishing gear, a car, and a luxury vacation trip to Bermuda. Can this be the end for one of the finest rangers in the forest service? Bill shares how he and the Old Timer met.

Sunday, September 19, 2021

RB049 Nature's Vacuum Cleaner

 Our Ranger Bill

for late morning Sept. 18, 2021 is
Nature's Vacuum Cleaner

Radio announcer Bart Sneed and Knotty Pine residents ignore warnings from both Ranger Bill and local weathermen to seek shelter from the tornadoes that are headed for the Shady River Valley. Tornadoes have never struck anywhere near Knotty Pine before, and no one can believe they will strike now. Is Bill wrong or will lives be lost in the coming whirlwind?

RB131 One Mile Down

 The early Saturday morning RANGER BILL for Sept. 18, 2021 is

One Mile Down

Bill and Gray Wolf try to find Lt. Garnet Greentree, missing for 40 years in the Andes Mountains in Peru. The only clue to the missing man's whereabouts is a gold medallion that Bill was given while working for the Peruvian government, stamped with the letters "GG". Bill and Gray Wolf passed the medallion on to the Greentree family who desperately hope to find Garnet.

Saturday, September 11, 2021

RB122 A Prisoner on Ice Island

RANGER BILL for Thursday 9/9/21 is

A Prisoner on Ice island 

Knotty Pine's city council wastes time debating how to pay for a fence that is critically needed to keep kids off the ice flows on the Shady River. Two boys do get stuck on an ice flow, and that flow is heading for a drop into a deep gorge! Bill must find some way to safely reach and rescue the boys!

RB048 The Man Who Understood

 Our late Saturday morning Ranger Bill

for the week of Sept.11,2021 is
The Man Who Understood

Angus, one of Bill’s rangers, is devastated when his son Steve is hit by a car and killed. Angus is so grief stricken that he wants revenge on the man who hit Steve. The driver is terribly sorry for the accident and understands how Angus feels. Bill must step in to stop Angus from hurting the driver.

RB123 River of Fire

 Ranger Bill for Friday, Sept. 10, 2021 is:

RB123 - River of Fire 
Officers O'Roark and Ryan are walking the night beat along the docks on the Shady River. The smell of fuel oil stops them in their tracks. The pipeline over the Shady has sprung a huge leak! The river is covered with a solid layer of the fuel oil. The slightest spark could set the river on fire or even cause an explosion. Things go from bad to worse when a bad lightening storm strikes. Bill, the safety forces, and the pipeline company may not be able to handle this disaster.

RB124 Soup Truck

Our early morning RANGER BILL Sat., Sept. 11, 2021 is

RB124 Soup Truck

A truck carrying nitroglycerin blows up just outside the town of Landslide. The mayor closes Landslide to all dangerous truck traffic. Closing Landslide will put the explosives company out of business and hurt many other businesses. Bill must find a way to prove to the mayor that even nitro can be taken safely through Landslide. 

Saturday, September 4, 2021

RB118 The One-Wire Fence

The Saturday afternoon RANGER BILL for 9/5/21 is

The One-Wire Fence

Jeremiah Sykes is a rancher and preacher on Elk Mesa. Young Herb Bradshaw, son of powerful rancher Thunder Bradshaw, is starting up his own ranch using electric fences. Jeremiah is misusing the Bible to oppose electric fences. Thunder and Jeremiah may go to war over Herb and his ranch. Bill and our rangers must be strong and on constant alert to deal with this range war!

RB047 The Broken Promise

 Our late Saturday morning Ranger Bill

for the week of Sept. 4, 2021 is
The Broken Promise

Ezra Newcombe sold his ranch to Todd Stone. Ezra let some teens race their hotrods on his ranch so they could race safely. Todd ignores his promise to let the racing continue. The teens are furious and plan to get even with Todd.

RB117 The Measure of a Man

The early Saturday morning RANGER BILL for Sept. 4,2021 is:

The Measure of a Man 

Tough guy Muscles and his two friends terrorize Knotty Pine and beat up Henry and the school principal. Judge White sentences the three troublemakers to some hard time - on the trail with Bill and the rangers to experience what real tough men are like. Bill lets the boys "escape" into the mountains to learn that they aren't so tough roughing it in the wilderness.

Sunday, August 29, 2021

RB046 The Handcar Race

 Our late Saturday morning Ranger Bill for 8/28/21 is:

 "The Handcar Race".


The Fireball Express is streaking north toward the Knotty Pine region at 100 miles per hour with 400 souls on board. "Unc" McFadden is the rail dispatcher at Junction City. His job is making sure that the trains under his care get to their destinations safely. That includes the Fireball Express. Heavy rains followed by flash flooding threaten the rail trestles and bridges near Knotty Pine. To be safe, Unc sends a trestle tester engine to check the northern line especially the old trestle over 800-foot-deep Cougar Canyon. What will the tester crew find? This doesn't sound like any kind of a race to me. What does a handcar have to do with the whole problem? And what does this have to do with our rangers?

RB111 The Prehistoric Monster

The early morning RANGER BILL for Sat. Aug. 28, 2021 is

RB111 The Prehistoric Monster

 The circus has arrived at Junction City. A full-grown bull rhino is its main attraction. This particular rhino doesn't like being in the circus. The huge beast breaks his chains and charges off into the forest. Bill and the boys are called in to find and shoot the marauder before he hurts anyone or does any serious damage. Can our rangers safely corner this prehistoric monster? Will Stumpy's pride endanger the hunt and possibly endanger lives too?

Saturday, August 21, 2021

RB040 Stumpy Gets 30 Days

 Our late morning Ranger Bill 

for Saturday August 21, 2021 is:

Stumpy Gets 30 Days

No, Stumpy wasn't arrested for speeding or  for robbery, but he was crushed and gored by a buffalo bull. Now the Old Timer struggles for life. After weeks of rest and recouperation, the old fella is left weak and tired and in pain. Then later he struggles for the courage to get healthy and return to work. Bill gives the Old Timer 30 days to get back to work or lose his ranger job.

RB105 The Falling Giants

  Our early morning Ranger Bill

for Saturday, August 21, 2021 is
The Falling Giants

The Giant Pines are falling over without any explanation. Bill and the boys must find out what is happening before the forest is lost. What is causing this? Is it insects, a new disease, poor soil. or what? Millions of dollars of beautiful, majestic pines are in danger. The forest service and lumber companies want answers, and Bill is at a loss to provide those answers.

This story first aired on October 8. 1958.

Saturday, August 14, 2021

RB039 Mrs. Kane Wins a War

 Our late morning Ranger Bill 

for August 14,2021 is:
Mrs. Kane Wins a War

The Hill Gang and the River Gang are rivals. These young hoodlums like battling one another on the back of Mrs. Kane’s property just outside of Knotty Pine. She called the police on their latest fight. The gangs plan to resume their interrupted fight the very next night. Then they intend to get revenge on Mrs. Kane herself!

RB099 The Mystery of Bear Valley

 Our early morning Ranger Bill

for Aug. 14, 2021
 is
The Mystery of Bear Valley

Ranger Bill is worried about the situation in Bear Valley National Park. Park visitors get far too close to the bears as they feed near the park road. But new problems crop up at the park. Bears are disappearing from the park. When Bill and the boys go to investigate, they find bears sleeping along the park road. What is going on and why?

Saturday, August 7, 2021

RB038 Set the Record Straight

  Ranger Bill for midmorning August 7, 2021 is

Set the Record Straight.

Two misbehaving boys, Justin and Peter, must stay after school as punishment for working on sports plays instead of paying attention in class. The boys tell their parents that their teacher Miss Anderson is prejudiced against sports because she is crippled. Both of the boys’ fathers want Miss Anderson punished or worse.

RB092 The Return of Sitting Bull

 Our early morning Ranger Bill

for Saturday, August 7, 2021 is

The Return of Sitting Bull

An Indian college student, the great-grandson of Sitting Bull, tries to share his Indian heritage on his college campus, but other students laugh at him. The abuse and rejection is too much for him. He loses control and decides to take revenge for everything done to him.

Saturday, July 31, 2021

RB037 The Shortage

 Our late Saturday morning RANGER BILL

for 7/31/21 is The Shortage

 John Patterson is the Forest Service accountant for the Northwest District and one of Bill’s rangers. John is a fine Christian and works hard to do a good job. But recently John has been worrying himself sick over an accounting error of thousands of dollars that he can’t find to correct. He won’t tell anyone or ask for help and a federal audit is only days away.


RB086 Tiger Cat

 Our early Saturday morning Ranger Bill 

for July 31, 2021 is Tiger Cat


A big cat is seen in backyards around Knotty Pine. Residents panic as news gets around of the unwanted invader. Some say it is 10 or even 15 feet long! Neighbors are getting out their guns to go hunting for the big fella. Can Bill and his rangers corral this tiger cat before someone gets hurt or even killed?

Saturday, July 24, 2021

RB079 The Loudmouth

 RANGER BILL for early Saturday morning July 24, 2021 is

RB079 The Loudmouth

Bill has his hands full this week with a know-it-all rookie ranger, Jerry Sands. Jerry thinks very highly of himself and doesn't respect the experience of Bill, Stumpy, and Gray Wolf. The fellas get tired of Jerry's big ego and lack of respect for others. Bill and the boys decide to teach Jerry a few lessons about the forest. See what the boys do to try to wise-up Jerry. See what kind of trouble Jerry gets into during these "lessons." Will Jerry ever learn to be a real ranger?

Knotty Pine Gazette - Riverboat Races on the Shady River

 Residents of Knotty Pine and others up and down the Shady River are in for a real treat this summer. Knotty Pine will host riverboat races on the Shady River. These races will pit the River Queen, owned by Andy Coogan, against the Mountain Streak, owned by Jim Gunderson. Stern-wheel boatmen Coogan and Gunderson have been long-time competitors and bitter rivals until recent events nearly destroyed Coogan's ship. Both Gunderson and Coogan have taken freight and passengers from Knotty Pine to Mirror Lake and the King's Islands. Chief Ranger Bill Jefferson refused Coogan's passenger license earlier this year for poor maintenance (see RB032 Floating Death Trap). Not long after, Coogan's boat caught fire moving freight on Mirror Lake. Mr. Coogan tells the GAZETTE that the boat fire along with much support from Ranger Bill and his rangers made a major change in Coogan's life. "I was not satisfied with cutting corners to make a profit," stated Coogan. "My attitude about God and my relationship with the Almighty changed for the better. I decided to quit cutting corners and live a God-pleasin' life. Me and Jim Gunderson patched things up between us, and now we're good friends. And I didn't just get the River Queen repaired. I got her fixed up good. Now she looks and works like a brand new boat." Andy's River Queen is now one of the most powerful and fastest ships on the Shady River. The new and improved River Queen got Jim Gunderson to make a few changes of his own. "I decided the Mountain Streak needed some improvements like the River Queen if I was gunna stay in competition with Coogan," commented Gunderson. "So I got my engine fixed up like Andy did, so I could keep up with the River Queen." Soon the two friendly competitors were having fun racing their ships. Folks along the Shady River started rooting on the two ships as they raced (with Ranger Bill's written permission) from Knotty Pine to Mirror Lake. There will be one race each weekend for at least the next four weeks between the two ships. Other ship owners along the river have gotten word of the Ranger Races, as they are unofficially called, and want to add races of their own. Ranger Bill says that permission for the races should be no problem. City officials say that radio and TV stations from around the state have been flooding city hall with requests for further information on the Ranger Races. The mayor expects a large increase in visitor traffic for the races.

RB032 The Floating Death Trap

 RANGER BILL for late Saturday morning July 24, 2021 ,

The Floating Death Trap

Riverboats carry freight and passengers between Knotty Pine and Mirror Lake and Kings Islands. Andy Coogan and Jim Gunderson are fierce competitors for the tourists visiting the Mirror Lake region. Bill will not give Andy a passengers license because his boat is dangerous. His stacks leak. Deck planks need to be replaced. The boiler is a threat to human life.
Andy says Bill is hurting him to help Gunderson. Andy asks several of Knotty Pine's influential citizens to pressure Bill to change his decision.
Will Andy do the right thing and fix his riverboat or will Bill give in to pressure and let Andy stay on the river? Will Andy continue to run his boat or will it break down and end the debate?

Chat about  the adventures of Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Gray Wolf on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column). Email me if you are looking for CDs. or mp3 files.

Saturday, July 17, 2021

RB074 The Ranger Factory

 Our afternoon Ranger Bill

for July 17, 2021 is

The Ranger Factory

Bill takes temporary command of the Ranger School while the headmaster is on vacation. Bill must deal with three new recruits who have fears to overcome. Will Bill be able to make rangers out of these men? Will Bill survive 30 days in the Ranger Factory?

RB013 The Man Who Couldn't Remember

 Our RANGER BILL mystery for

late Saturday morning, July 17, 2021,

RB013 The Man Who Couldn't Remember  

A dazed and confused man stumbles into a hobo jungle. The hobos fear the man is wanted by the law so they dump him on a freight train. The rangers find the man outside of Knotty Pine in an abandoned shack singing hymns. The man appears to have amnesia and might be a minister. Bill, Stumpy and Gray Wolf begin a fast-paced search for the man’s identity.


Chat about  the adventures of Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Gray Wolf on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column). Email me if you are looking for CDs. or mp3 files.

RB073 The End of the Rope

 Our early morning Ranger Bill

for Sat., July 17, 2021 is
The End of the Rope

Two young boys, Bart Norton and Jeff Murdock, come to Knotty Pine for a vacation. The boys have strict orders to only do what Bill and Henry say is safe. The two get bored and decide to climb a dangerous cliff. No good can come from this decision.

Saturday, July 10, 2021

RB012 The Eviction of Pa and Ma Skunk

Ranger Bill for Saturday afternoon 7/10/21 is:

RB012 The Eviction of Pa and Ma Skunk

 Texans Arnold Fleming and his family have just bought a house at Goose Lake. But there is a problem. Another family is already living in, or rather under, the Flemings’ house, a family of skunks. The Flemings don’t know what to do or who to ask for help. Luckily, neighbor Abner knows just what to do. He calls in Ranger Bill. But evicting these stinky pests may prove to be much harder than anyone could imagine.


RB031 12 Feet of Danger

 Ranger Bill story for late morning of July 10, 2021 is:


RB031 – 12 Feet of Danger – Zookeepers at the Logan City Zoological Gardens are surprised when snakes are mysteriously released from their cages. When a King Cobra gets out, Bill is called in and calls in his own snake expert. The head zookeeper’s son is suspected of the mischief.

RB067 The Book Farmer

 Our Ranger Bill

for early Saturday morning, July 10, 2021 is

The Book Farmer

Ag college grad Whitey Moore returns to the family farm after completing his college education. He wants to put what he has learned into practice on the farm, but dad doesn't want anything to do with his son’s new-found insight.

Saturday, July 3, 2021

RB062 The Boy Who Wouldn't Quit

 Ranger Bill

for early Saturday morning of July 3, 2021 is

The Boy Who Wouldn't Quit

Young Norman hurts his back when he falls on a rock while playing football. Surgery doesn't completely fix the damage to Norman's back. The lad is left unable walk. Norm's dad Al is afraid of anything that might make Norman's injury any worse.
Norm wants to join scouts and participate fully in all the activities. But he can't convince his dad. To advance in scouts, Norm will have to hike five miles, learn to swim, and more. Norm will need Bill's help. Will Bill be able to help Norm overcome his handicap and Al overcome his fears?

RB030 Flaming Grass

 The late morning Ranger Bill for July 3 is:


RB030 – Flaming Grass – Bill issues prairie warnings for Knotty Pine County during a summer with no rain, but farmers and ranchers refuse to adopt fire control measures, so Bill calls in Big Brute for help. 

RB160 The Foreman Accident aka Trouble in Tunnel 13

 The afternnon RANGER BILL adventure for

July 3, 2021 is

The Foreman's Accident

Randy Williamson has just been made foreman over the work in tunnel 13 at Knotty Pine Mines. Sandy soil in tunnel 13 makes the digging slow and dangerous. Randy must also deal with two difficult miners who don’t like his Christian faith. Could anything else go wrong in tunnel 13?

Sunday, June 27, 2021

RB197 Bill Gets Lost In a Cavern aka Transistor Walkie-Talkies

 RANGER BILL for

Saturday afternoon June 26, 2021:

Bill Gets Lost in a Cavern aka Transistor Walkie-Talkies

Bill asks Henry and his boys group to test out the rangers’ new walkie-talkies. The boys’ test takes them deep into the forest where they discover wreckage from a recent plane crash. But the plane’s occupants are missing. The search is on for the missing pilot and passengers.

Chat about  the adventures of Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Gray Wolf on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column). Email me if you are looking for CDs. or mp3 files.

Saturday, June 26, 2021

RB028 The River Monster

Our late morning RANGER BILL

for Sat., June 26,2021  

RB028 – The River Monster –

 The town of Rivers Bend builds some new dikes and levees to protect the city and its residents from the flood waters of the Shady River. But dikes can’t protect Rivers Bend from Zack Stephens and the huge log rafts he floats down the river.

RB056 The Ice Prison

 Our early Saturday Ranger Bill

for June 26, 2021 is
The Ice Prison

Moose McBain braves the 30-degree-below-zero winter cold on foot to tell Bill that he found a man frozen in the ice on Big Pine Lake. The discovery leads the rangers on a hunt for a missing team of scientists who have been trapped in a cave by an avalanche.

Saturday, June 19, 2021

RB027 Bobsled

 RANGER BILL 

for Saturday late morning June 19, 2021:

Bobsled

The state championship bobsled races are going to be held at Culver’s Peak. Top speeds are expected to exceed 60 miles per hour! Our rangers will be racing against the Cole brothers and their faster sled. Our rangers have won these races for the last three years running, but the Cole brothers could end their winning streak.

RB049 Nature's Vacuum Cleaner

 Our Ranger Bill

for early morning June19, 2021 is
Nature's Vacuum Cleaner

Radio announcer Bart Sneed and Knotty Pine residents ignore warnings from both Ranger Bill and local weathermen to seek shelter from the tornadoes that are headed for the Shady River Valley. Tornadoes have never struck anywhere near Knotty Pine before, and no one can believe they will strike now. Is Bill wrong or will lives be lost in the coming whirlwind?

Tuesday, June 8, 2021

RB040 Stumpy Gets 30 Days

 Ranger Bill for June 8, 2021 is:

Stumpy Gets 30 Days

No, Stumpy wasn't arrested for speeding or  for robbery, but he was crushed and gored by a buffalo bull. Now the Old Timer struggles for life. After weeks of rest and recouperation, the old fella is left weak and tired and in pain. Then later he struggles for the courage to get healthy and return to work. Bill gives the Old Timer 30 days to get back to work or lose his ranger job.

Saturday, June 5, 2021

RB029 Fossil Canyon

 Ranger Bill for the afternoon of June 5, 2021 is:


RB029 – Fossil Canyon – Two college students go hunting for dinosaur bones in Fossil Canyon. They are overcome by the heat of the canyon and are unable to get out. Bill and his rangers must brave the 115 degree heat of the canyon to find the boys before it’s too late.

RB038 Set the Record Straight

 Ranger Bill for midmorning June 5, 2021 is

Set the Record Straight.

Two misbehaving boys, Justin and Peter, must stay after school as punishment for working on sports plays instead of paying attention in class. The boys tell their parents that their teacher Miss Anderson is prejudiced against sports because she is crippled. Both of the boys’ fathers want Miss Anderson punished or worse.

RB025 Timid Timothy

 RANGER BILL for early Saturday morning June 5, 2021, is

RB025 Timid Tomothy 

Tim Sullivan has a long history of getting into bad business deals. When his uncle offers him a good job as logging manager, he is afraid to fail once more. Tim’s dad, Officer Mike Sullivan, asks Bill to step in and try to make Tim into a successful businessman. Bill enlists several of his rangers to help Tim. Even Frenchy DeSalle and his lumberjacks get in the act.

Monday, May 31, 2021

RB033 Chinook

 Ranger Bill for Memorial Day, 2021, is

Chinook

It's winter in the Shady Mountains. At least it's supposed to be. The dreaded Chinook winds are blowing. The winds make it 50 degrees in the mountains when it ought to be 15 degrees below zero. The snow in the Shadies is melting and filling up Mid-Mountain Dam and cracking off huge chunks of glacier ice. The rising waters and the moving ice are threatening Mid-Mountain and Knotty Pine Dams. The threat to Mid-Mountain Dam grows with each passing hour of thaw. The dam operators ask Bill and the boys to do something to stop the ice. Bill calls on the one person he thinks can stop the ice boulders - Frenchy DeSalle. How can logger Frenchy help Bill stop tons and tons of speeding ice flows?

The Buried Treasure of Forrest Fenn

 I came across a fairly recent true story that would make an interesting RB story.

An eccentric, and also not terribly honest, art/antiques dealer by the name of Forrest Fenn had a very successful art gallery in New Mexico and became fairly wealthy. In 2010, he took over a million dollars in gold, jewelry, and coins; placed them in a small chest: and buried the chest somewhere in the Rocky Mountains. Then Fenn wrote a book which included a chapter on the buried treasure and a poem with 8 clues to its location.
Fenn's intent was to encourage a greater interest in the outdoors, especially the wilderness. Instead, thousands of eager treasure hunters combed the Rockies and the national parks hoping to get rich. Many wasted years looking for the chest. Some spent all they had in the search. At least five died.
Finally in 2020, after five years of research and wilderness hiking, a grad student from Michigan found the chest with its gold and jewels. Mr. Fenn confirmed that the student had in fact located the chest in an undisclosed location in Wyoming.
Fenn passed away just 3 months after the chest was found. Dozens of law suits and threats arose from other treasure hunters who were angry over missing the prize.
Imagine the stir a treasure hunt like that would cause in Knotty Pine. Treasure seekers might hire some of the local desert rats, miners or rangers to help them decipher the clues and climb into the Rockies. Think of those injured or killed in that hunt. Think too of the treasure hunters who wasted so much of their lives.
The Root of All Evil might be a good title. Any other titles come to mind? Comments and suggestions are most welcome.
God bless.

Saturday, May 29, 2021

RB154 Ronnie's Bear aka The Mad Bear

The afternnon RANGER BILL adventure is

Ronnie's Bear aka The Mad Bear 

Henry runs a boys club at the grade school. He has assigned a nature study projects. The boys are to collect things from nature and do talks about them. Ornery little Ronnie Edwards wants to bring a bear to the meeting. Coincidentally, school janitor Sam thinks he spotted a bear. Ronnie couldn’t really have a bear – could he?

RB024 Ice Pack

RANGER BILL for midmorning on May29th is

Ice Pack 

The vessel Sea Chaser is trapped in the huge, powerful ice flows near Alaska. When they are unable to contact anyone by radio, the passengers and crew plan a mutiny. Bill and his rangers are called in to find Sea Chaser and bring everyone safely home.


Click on either "Ranger Bill on Facebook" or "Ranger Bill on Tune-in" to chat about  "Ice Pack" this weekend.

RB032 The Floating Death Trap

RANGER BILL for early Saturday morning May 29, 2021 ,

The Floating Death Trap

Riverboats carry freight and passengers between Knotty Pine and Mirror Lake and Kings Islands. Andy Coogan and Jim Gunderson are fierce competitors for the tourists visiting the Mirror Lake region. Bill will not give Andy a passengers license because his boat is dangerous. His stacks leak. Deck planks need to be replaced. The boiler is a threat to human life.
Andy says Bill is hurting him to help Gunderson. Andy asks several of Knotty Pine's influential citizens to pressure Bill to change his decision.
Will Andy do the right thing and fix his riverboat or will Bill give in to pressure and let Andy stay on the river? Will Andy continue to run his boat or will it break down and end the debate?

Chat about  the adventures of Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Gray Wolf on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column). Email me if you are looking for CDs. or mp3 files.

Saturday, May 22, 2021

RB216 Pendleton Valley Fire

 RANGER BILL for

Saturday afternoon, May 22, 2021 is

RB216 (my episode #) Pendleton Valley Fire'

aka First Ranger Bill Show aka First Snow (part 1 of 3) 15 min. long

Fire has broken out in Pendleton Valley. Colonel Ander and his rangers rush to the valley to extinguish the fire, but dry weather is making their fire fight very, very tough. The Colonel is afraid they won't be able to control the blaze, so he sends Ranger Bill and his ward Henry into the mountains to Pine Ridge Dam. Bill is also taking along two horses and a box of high explosives.

Parts 2 and 3 of this very first RANGER BILL adventure are available only as PDFs or in print as scripts.

In parts 2 and 3, Bill and Henry first travel by truck and then by horseback to Pine Ridge Dam. The boys set up camp at the dam and begin 4-hour shifts through the night watching for a signal to blow up the dam and flood Pendleton Valley below to put out the fire. The two have devotions using John 1:12. 

Bill reminds Henry keep a good fire going all night to keep predators away, especially Uncle Joe, the biggest mountain  lion around. A rattler sneaks up onto Bill's leg, Bill escapes the rattler but badly sprains his ankle. Now Henry will have to crawl out on top of the dam to set the dynamite!

The signal comes in the wee hours of the morning to blow Pineridge. But rain has also come and made the dam extremely slippery to cross. Henry crawls across the wet stone dam and slips. Bill must gather his strength and will to crawl out to Henry with an injured leg! Can our two heroes save themselves while destroying Pine Ridge?

Chat about  the adventures of Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Gray Wolf on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column). Email me if you are looking for CDs. or mp3 files.

RB023 Dead on Arrival

 Our late morning RANGER BILL for May 22nd is

Dead on Arrival

Henry is a ham radio operator. One evening, his radio picks up a distress call from a trapper and his son in Cougar Canyon. The boy is seriously ill and needs immediate medical attention. But before Bill and Henry can get to the trappers’ cabin, the boy dies. Despite appearances, Bill thinks there is a chance that the boy can be revived.

RB026 Henry's Miracle

 RANGER BILL for early Saturday, May 22, 2021, is

RB026 Henry's Miracle

This is the story of Henry at the age of ten when his world fell apart. First, he is crippled in a fall. Then his mother develops cancer and dies. Then to add insult to injury, his dad becomes gravely ill and may die, which would leave young Henry all alone in the world.

Hear this week's adventure on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column) or catch it on Tunein.com this weekend (several stations play it on Saturday).

RB025 Timid Timothy

RANGER BILL for Friday May 21, 2021, is

RB025 Timid Tomothy 

Tim Sullivan has a long history of getting into bad business deals. When his uncle offers him a good job as logging manager, he is afraid to fail once more. Tim’s dad, Officer Mike Sullivan, asks Bill to step in and try to make Tim into a successful businessman. Bill enlists several of his rangers to help Tim. Even Frenchy DeSalle and his lumberjacks get in the act.

Saturday, May 15, 2021

RB199 Raging Rapids

 RANGER BILL for Sat. afternoon, May 15th is

Raging Rapids

Henry helps Pete Flory at a Christian camp canoe trip. Two of the boys, Ed and Paul, constantly get into trouble. The boys decide to sneak away and ride the rapids. They get trapped on the rocks in the middle of the river. The river is rising and getting swifter. They can't escape and no one can get to them. Can Bill and Stumpy save the boys before they drown?


RB022 Glacier Cave-In

 Our RANGER BILL late morning adventure for May 15th is

RB022 Glacier Cave-In

A team of archeologists study an ancient cave that was exposed when the Big Slide Glacier moved. The glacier moves again and causes an earthquake and landslides. Bill and Henry are part of a rescue team sent to recover the scientists. One of the scientists, Dr. Swift, is trapped under a slide. Amputation of the doctor’s leg may be the only way to save his life.

Chat about  the adventures of Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Gray Wolf on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column). Email me if you are looking for CDs. or mp3 files.

RB020 If the Lord Is for Us, Who Can Be Aginst Us

  RANGER BILL

for early Saturday morning and for the 15th of May is

"If the Lord Is for Us, Who Can Be Against Us".

Young Army serviceman Ted Sloan, stops by ranger headquarters to visit with Bill and Henry. Ted is having a hard time dealing with the persecution he gets for being a Christian.
Bill tells how he was also persecuted as a Navy medic serving with the Marines. The Marine sergeant made life plenty tough for Bill. God made opportunity for Bill to serve and witness even then.

Chat about  the adventures of Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Gray Wolf on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column). Email me if you are looking for CDs. or mp3 files.

Tuesday, May 11, 2021

RB015 The Hunted

                                         


While out on ski patrol, the rangers hear the cry of an unknown big cat. The cat turns out to be a jaguar. Our rangers have their work cut out for them when the cat threatens the cattle on nearby ranches of Blue Valley.

Go to our Facebook page for links to this week's story.

Saturday, May 8, 2021

RB052 An Old Horse learns new Tricks

 Our Saturday afternoon Ranger Bill

for the week of May 8, 2021 is
An Old Horse Learns New Tricks

While on the trail, Bill’s horse and faithful friend Storm, falls seriously ill. Bill flies Storm back to town. The vets there can’t seem to help. Bill demands the wisdom of his country vet, much to the city vets’ disapproval.

RB021 Death on the Waterfront

Our late Saturday morning RANGER BILL for May 8th is

 RB021 – Death on the Waterfront – Six healthy men fall ill suddenly and die. All these men had been in Knotty Pine’s warehouse district along the Shady River recently. Bill thinks Bubonic Plague may be the cause. But how do you stop plague not to mention the panic this is going to create?


Follow our link to "Ranger Bill on Facebook" to hear this week's story.

RB013 The Man Who Couldn't Remember

Our RANGER BILL mystery for

Saturday morning, May 8, 2021,

RB013 The Man Who Couldn't Remember  

A dazed and confused man stumbles into a hobo jungle. The hobos fear the man is wanted by the law so they dump him on a freight train. The rangers find the man outside of Knotty Pine in an abandoned shack singing hymns. The man appears to have amnesia and might be a minister. Bill, Stumpy and Gray Wolf begin a fast-paced search for the man’s identity.


Chat about  the adventures of Bill, Stumpy, Henry and Gray Wolf on our Facebook page (click on the link in the right column). Email me if you are looking for CDs. or mp3 files.

Thursday, May 6, 2021

RB011 Death's Half Mile

 RB011 is our RANGER BILL story for Thursday,

"Death's Half Mile".

One stretch of road outside of Knotty Pine generates at least three accidents a week. It's called Death's Half Mile. This road has a very sharp corner followed by a narrow bridge followed by a nearly blind railroad crossing. Bruno Allen and his son live on a ranch near the roadway. They must be ready at a moment's notice, day and night, to call police and offer first aid to the injured.
Ranger Bill and his men intend to end the nightmare at Death's Half Mile!

Wednesday, May 5, 2021

RB009 Bim, the Dog

  I must thank my wife who suggested today's RANGER BILL for Friday,

RB009 "Bim, the Dog".
A brave dog protects his family then saves lives as he serves his country during wartime.