Bullets and Bandages, inspired by the stories of a field Medic in Vietnam 68-69 "This is a story that paints a true picture of the hell that was Vietnam."
The first time I heard my Brother Pat’s war stories we were in his truck heading north for the hunting cabin. I sat there in awe, listening and feeling very proud of him. It had taken him years before he could talk about it. Maybe, I thought to myself, he needed those years to let the pain of some of those memories fade. I never realized before just how close I came to losing him. I thanked God for he must have been watching over my brother.
When he told more and more of his adventures, I imagined those experiences. Visions of jungles, combat, survival and death flashed in my mind. After listening to those stories, I found myself thinking about it often. What if it was me out there roaming around the jungles of Vietnam? Could I have survived the war? Over time, I scribbled down the details to help remember what my brother survived through. I did not realize it at the time, but that is how I began this book. Slowly, I began to piece the story together until the need to sit down and write became clear. I had a story and it needed to be told.
Some of this story is about those actual experiences and my brother who served our country in Vietnam 68-69. My older brother Patrick was a US Army Field Medic. In my story, he becomes the main character. I was around fourteen at the time of the war. I read some of his letters and wrote him back. I followed the war on TV and in newspapers. I missed him and prayed to see him again. It was Patrick’s stories that gave me the insight and feel for some of the combat scenes in the story. Some of the non-combat scenes are from my own experiences growing up during that time period.
The final push to actually sit down and write was the tragedy of September 11, 2001 and the swell of patriotism it evoked in many of us. I hope that reading about Rob’s adventures provides a sense of pride for those who have served or presently serve our country in the war for freedom and democracy.
Black Leather and Blue Denim, A '50s Novel is adult literature for anyone who likes 1950s' teen culture. BL&BD has been given a 5 Star Rating by ebookpalace.com and by Midwest Review
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