I found the words and the
photos in this book very moving. It felt very much like
the documentary film project I have just worked on - "In The Shadow of
The Blade".
It has that same emotional and spiritual energy. Charlene Edwards has
taken a decade of her work and interviews and condensed them down to about
70 stories
that are more like more like snap shots of each soul. This has given the
reader a
inner view of those who were effected by the Vietnam War. She covers a wide
and diverse group of people from that time and era; allowing you
to experience what they feel through her prose and photos.
A few people may recognize some of those she profiles in the book,
although she uses only first names throughout. I found Frank Anton's
story and his face staring out at me was still asking that old question
"Why didn't you get me out?"
(Which is the title of his paperback book about being a
POW. Check out PX section of this website.)
I give this book 5 Stars
and recommend it very highly!
Samples of the stories and photos from the
book
Michael
An 18 year old soldier in
1966, Michael was assigned to one of the wars most dangerous jobs.
He spent his tour of duty as a door gunner in a medivac helicopter,
retrieving the dead and wounded from the battlefields. "We were
inexperienced, hardly more than boys, in the adult world of war, and
we were terrified." |
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Photo courtesy of Michael |
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Lana and Byron
"She shimmered in time." Lana's poetic
words describe her adopted Vietnamese daughter, Heather, whose short
life ended 27 years ago. "I'm sorry we couldn't save her, but I'm
so very glad we had the opportunity to love her."
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Photo Courtesty of Lana |
| |
 Hoi
Quang
Hoi Quang joined the South Vietnamese Navy at the age of 17. During
silent nights and early quiet mornings, he would dive into the calm
sea just after low or high tides to check for enemy booby traps
planted on American and South Vietnamese ships. On April 22, 1972 he
discovered and then removed three magnetic mines attached to an
American Navy troop carrier. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal
for his bravery for saving the lives of thousands. |
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Photo
courtesy of Hoi Quang |
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FEATURED UNIT
WEBSITE |
48th Assault Helicopter Company
This web page is dedicated to the
men of the 48th Assault Helicopter Company
and support units, the 390th Transportation Detachment,
279th Signal Detachment, and
286th Medical Detachment activated at Fort Benning,
Georgia by General Order 200,
Headquarters, Third US Army on 5 July 1965
as the 48th Aviation Company (Airmobile) (Light).
Check out their website at:
http://www.raydon.com/48ahc/
Click on Logos for website
VETERANS WITH DIABETES
This
group has been started as a support group for veterans with Diabetes and
borderline diabetes to come and join us,
to exchange information with each other and support each other in this
endless battle with Diabetes.
THE
GOALS
(1)
Bring
awareness to the general public of the problems of
Diabetes and the overwhelming number of veterans that have it.
(2) Promote the Diabetes issue amongst our Brothers & Sisters and to be
here as a support for them
MEMBERSHIP IS FREE TO JOIN
