On January 17. 1991 (January 16 during the US Time Zones), the Coalition Forces kicked off the Gulf War with an aerial bombing to create safe passage for the eventual movement of Army units. I was a Lieutenant at the time, working a desk job at Hanscom AFB. Several days later, during the Colonel's staff meeting, a coworker informed me that I received a phone call from Iraq. All eyes turned to me. I replied, "It must be my college friend". Indeed, my college buddy (and later maid of honor) was an Army Lieutenant who commanded a platoon of Signal soldiers - she had her own communications antenna in the middle of the desert. Until that point I had no contact with her after she deployed to Saudi Arabia for the expected conflict.
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| The Mighty Mo - a WWII ship - participated in the Gulf War. |
Today, communication with deployed personnel is significantly improved via email, Skype, and even care packages. But the concern remains the same. It is my privilege to spotlight ON TWO FRONTS by SGT Adam Frenner and Lance Taubold (link):
On Two Fronts fearlessly brings the reader deep into the thoughts, emotions and experiences that are captured often just hours after occurring. Two friends share their conversations, e-mails and experiences with one another, and the reader, capturing the true essence, fears and camaraderie of a combat deployment in its entirety.
On Two Fronts, Sgt. Adam Fenner and Lance Taubold are thrown into the emotional reality of coping with the upcoming deployment. Lance was living life to the fullest, a singer and entertainer, enjoying the Vegas lifestyle and the company of good friends. Then, his closest friend, Adam Fenner, a former Marine, now serving with the Nevada National Guard, was informed that he would be deploying for the third time to Afghanistan. In a story told from both fronts: Taubold’s, as he copes with Fenner’s deployment from notification until his (hopeful) return home, and Fenner’s as he faces the physical and emotional challenges of deployment and those he leaves behind.
"There is nothing else out there like On Two Fronts by Sgt Adam Fenner and Lance Taubold. It's not a book about war; it's a book about people, about separation, about living, home, friends, love, and heartache. I love this book--it's the real life day to day and human element that goes beyond places, facts, figures, and politics. It's a story for those who have served and for those who have stayed home. On Two Fronts is for everyone out there to understand what it is to serve--and what it is to be the one home praying. From the beautiful cover to the last page--it's a book that touches everyone alive today." - Heather Graham, NY Times Bestselling Author
Mahalo, Adam and Lance, for sharing your friendship with readers. Veterans like Adam give us the freedom to read.
I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter. To enter the giveaway,
1. Have you shared a long distance correspondence?
2. This giveaway is open to all readers.
3. Comments are open through Saturday, January 18, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 19.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
I've actually started corresponding with a woman in Northern Ireland - I've never met her in person, but her mother & my father (both now deceased) played together as children in Belfast. The families kept in touch but they didn't get together until my parents visited Belfast & then her parents visited us in the US. I hope that someday we will meet in person.
ReplyDeleteI did when my husband was in the service - mostly VietNam. I wrote him every day but it took forever for me to get one from him (sometimes I would get 2 or 3 at the same time).
ReplyDeleteI used to send letters to my cousins in Germany.
ReplyDeleteNo, not really long distance. When I was a teenager I had a pen pal who I wrote to for years (now we are friends on facebook), but she lived in the Midwest and I lived in CA. Seemed long distance when you are a teenager.
ReplyDeleteI have not m thanks
ReplyDeleteKimh
I've never shared a long distance correspondence, but my Mother has cousins in England that she has written to all her life. She has met them twice in 90 years. Once when she went to England & once when they came here.
ReplyDeleteI have. I've written letters, sent cards, and exchanged our favorite cookies with an older couple who live in Canada. I met him online in a Horror group and we got along really well. His wife's name is Mary also and one year he sent me a box of Maple Leaf cookies from Canada and I sent him and his wife a box of Windmill cookies. He passed away just over a year ago from a heart attack and I miss him but I'm so glad I got to know him. I still keep in contact with his wife.
ReplyDeleteI have had many through the years. Now I exchange postcards through postcrossing.
ReplyDeleteThrough the years I've sent and received emails from different countries and also with both of my sons when deployed through calls, emails and letters. Communication is the best feeling in the world when separated from loved ones. I'll be putting this book on my to buy list.
ReplyDeleteCarol L
I do since my best friend moved away. It is tough though.
ReplyDeleteI did when I was younger.....also recently when I was sending boxes to the troops.
ReplyDeleteI have shared long distance correspondence on a number of occasions, with friends in the states and with the military overseas.
ReplyDeleteyes
ReplyDeleteYes, I did it a lot when I still lived in England. I would write to all my husband's family here in the USA.
ReplyDeleteThis is going on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was taking Spanish in high school, I began corresponding with a girl my age in Madrid. We wrote for a long time...
When I married a soldier, I kept up with my family through letters since back then, phone calls were expensive, particularly overseas. In the meantime I kept up with my Spanish pen pal and got to meet her when we took advantage of being in Germany and did a Europe by train trip. We lost track somewhere along the road, but I've found her on Facebook recently. Long distance correspondence has been a big part of my life.
A question for the authors: Will it be available more widely soon? Kindle doesn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteDuring the Viet Nam war, I was corresponding with my 2 cousins and several other soldiers.
ReplyDeleteI was pen pals with a couple of friends who moved away when I was young.
ReplyDeleteI've moved long distances several times in my life and have corresponded with friends left behind.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful story. :)
ReplyDeleteI had a pen pal when I was in elementary school. It was so much fun!