Participation in the Vietnam War for most soldiers caused profound lifelong effects that resulted from their experiences during that era.  Vietnam War memoirs have become the fodder for many books recounting that time and one such book, In Our Duffel Bags written by Vietnam Vets, First Lieutenant Richard C. Geschke and Lieutenant Robert A. Toto. Both men are long time service buddies as well as friends and it is through this book they share the sometimes harrowing events encountered during their service in the “War with no purpose; no mission statement.” This narrative book uniquely conveys each man’s first hand experiences as soldiers serving in the US Army during the Vietnam War era and their transition to civilian life afterwards.  

Their eye opening journey through the military started with voluntary enlisting into the United States Army ROTC program during college. Upon graduation, they were first brought into Infantry Officer Basic Training in Fort Benning, Georgia, then moved to places like West Germany, Panama and eventually found themselves in the dreaded area of Southeast Asia, Vietnam.  During their time spent serving in the military, the duffel bags of these soldiers not only held their necessary supplies but also carried their stress filled memories of pain, frustration, loneliness, fear, determination and death as they served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1972.  It is by writing this book that they have finally unpacked the memories contained in their duffel bags.