Hi Jenny!

I read Vietnam and Beyond with such rapture. When I finished reading it, I was left staring at the cover with so many thoughts running through my mind. Many thoughts of friends and family. Some parts I read over and over again. It tugged on my heart strings in such an amazing way. My father treated his PTSD from WW2 with alcohol. He was always a calm man and functional though. An alcoholic none the less and it was hard for us to watch. I laughed too while reading, as Jim was such a character.

The only other books that have been so real in their entirety, to me, are Jenny Lasala’s Comes a Soldier’s Whisper, Mark Bando’s Avenging Eagles-Forbidden Tales of The 101st Airborne Division in World War 2 and Paul Woodage’s Angels of Mercy. A very close acquaintance of mine was 501/101st Airborne during Nam and he never speaks about it. He did once comment on my 101st Airborne plaque and asked if I served or if it was my husbands. It hangs below my father’s flag. When I told him that it was in memory of my father he asked the usual questions, What unit/war? Turns out that they were both HQ2/501/101st but in much different wars. I then had the info to learn of his plight. Now, I wonder if the plaque and flag are triggers for him because at times his mood changes quickly when he visits. I have such adoration for him and overall, he is kind and good. I now understand him in a much stronger way and I pray that he eventually talks about it.

A huge thank you to you and Jim for compiling such an amazing book and “The Reflections” that come with! Truly one of the best gifts ever given to me and I can’t express my gratitude enough to the kind friend who thought of me. To all veterans- thank you for your service and yes, I mean it!

It is my prayer that all of our military veterans return home to open arms, open hearts and an abundance of understanding.

God Bless!
~ Stephanie Johncox Redden‎

AUTHOR’S BOOKS: www.amazon.com/Vietnam-Beyond-Reflections-Jenny-Sala/dp/1490746153/