Saturday, November 10, 2012

Welcoming our soldiers home


To publicize our book Return to Viet Nam: One Veteran's Journey of 
Healing, I sent emails to most of the newspapers in the Pacific Northwest.
I told them our book would be appropriate to include in features about
Veterans Day.

One of the responses was from Elizabeth Griffin, editor of the Journal
Magazine, which serves communities just north of Seattle. She
interviewed Art and me a couple of weeks ago. In addition to our book,
we talked about others engaged in service to veterans. This week,
Ms. Griffin's article appeared online. We're honored to be included
in her discussion. You can read the article here.

Tonight there's a swing dance at the local high school.  There will be
music, food, a silent auction, and a magician. Veterans are admitted
free.  Ms. Griffin invited us to attend, to perhaps say a few words about
our book, and to donate a copy to the silent auction.

We will attend, for sure, and will provide a copy of our book. We might
even dance! I hope lots of veterans will attend so that I can thank them
for their service.

I watched this video for the first time yesterday. I cry every time.

A sincere thank you to those now serving our country, and to all the
veterans.



15 comments:

Terra said...

This swing dance event and silent auction are a great way to share your book and congrats on the interview. I was interviewed this week by a blogger in Great Britain about my books, and I know we authors love to share.

Sally Wessely said...

This is just great, Linda. I am so proud of the way you have written this book and then done so much to get it out there for others. I hope you enjoy your time at the swing dance.

I loved the video. It reminded me a lot of my former brother-in-law who served in Viet Nam. Thanks for sharing. Also, thank Art for serving our country in Viet Nam for me.

Out on the prairie said...

A stirring holiday, I enjoy going to a variety of ceremonies.

Olga said...

I read the article with interest. " it is the penetration into our core by the violence of the world.” is a definition of PTSD that will stick with me. I also liked the idea of sharing responibility with the community. After all, they do it for us.

June said...

Oh.
Oh.
Oh.
The video.
I was all right until the salute...

Bob Lowry said...

That is a tremendous interview and article by Ms. Griffin. She has captured the damage and pain that PTSD can cause.

Kudos to Art and you for telling his story and allowing others to learn from his experiences.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

Linda, that video brought tears to my eyes, too. I remember the horrible reception Vietnam veterans -- including my brother -- got upon returning home -- all kinds of hateful labels from those who had not had to put their lives on the line. He was once even booed when he wore old military clothes to anatomy lab in medical school at Stanford. Classmates called him a murder and a redneck and worse. Of course, once they got to know him, it was different. But it was still very hurtful to him as he battled flashbacks and depression related to his service in Vietnam.

Thank goodness you've written your book and have been able to get attention in the press about it. Vietnam stories need to be told -- and heard with an open mind and heart.

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Thank you so much for this post. It still makes me very sad to remember how our anger over the Vietnam war got misdirected at those who fought in it. I never overtly disrespected a veteran, but I wish I'd understood, and then become an activist for supporting those who returned so badly damaged.

DJan said...

Well, I'm sitting here wiping the tears away, trying to write a sincere thank you for that wonderful video. I will never forget the awful way the soldiers were treated when they came back from Vietnam. And I've got plenty of veterans in my life, too. I hope and pray a day will come when war is no longer a part of anybody's life.

Grandmother Mary said...

What a great video- thanks. And good for you and Art for the coverage on your book- how wonderful. Good luck.

MyMaracas said...

That video got to me, too. Thanks for sharing it. Congratulations on the success of your book.

Thanks too, for stopping by at my blog and leaving such encouraging words about my decision to retire. Your support means more than you know.

#1Nana said...

Good thing we're not having a competition; I notice you have 111 followers! Great article. I'm so impressed with all the work you have done to get the book out. I hope you have a great time at the dance.

Galen Pearl said...

Thanks to Art and all our heroic veterans.

Dee said...

Dear Linda, that article was so informative. Thank you for linking us to it. I read the whole thing and so appreciated learning how to help those who have served our country and have often come back to a society that ignores them or is unappreciative. At least that's what happened so often to the Vietnam vets like Art. PTSD makes the whole return a reoccurring hell.

Art and you have not only helped one another live with past experiences, your book had helped many others. I'm sure of that because I read it.

Please do thank Art for me for his service to our country and for his great compassion and generosity in helping those in Vietnam now. Your story and the newspaper story are inspiring. Let us work for peace for our country and within all who have been wounded by life. Peace.

naomi dagen bloom said...

Last night in Portland, OR, we had a powerful experience at a play-reading for "Spark" by Caridad Svich. "A call to action...to question...discussion" being presented around the country. To honor what happens when a soldier returns home, the impact on family.

Wondering if it was performed in a city near yours. Like others here, my thanks to both you and your husband for the courageous work you are doing. -naomi