Terry L. Garlock

If only we knew then what we know today! Would it have made a difference? The government instituted special rules of engagement in Vietnam which restricted the military from doing its job - to win the war; the press also made things worse by seeking out and only reporting the negatives of the war, which tended to sway public opinion and keeping them blind to the real facts. Those never serving during the war found Vietnam Veterans stereotyped as unemployed or unemployable, criminally inclined, prone to substance abuse and wracked with guilt over the horrible things they had done or seen in the war. Maybe now you - the American public - can understand why vets kept their story to themselves when they came home from Vietnam. The country seemed to have lost its mind, and everybody seemed confident they knew all the answers about the war - unwilling to hear it from those who were there.

The Vietnam War was consumed by controversy and, in its later years and since the war ended, it has been shrouded in myths and half-truths, the real truth hiding in the hearts of those of us who were there. The author, Terry Garlock, put together a compilation of stories from those who served their country honorably during the war; they come from every occupation: chopper pilots and crews, jet jockeys, medivac pilots and crews, Cobra gunship pilots, infantry grunts, special forces advisers, scout teams, LRRPS, medical staff and Navy Riverine forces - officers and enlisted, men and women from all branches of the service tell their true stories to counter the false stereotype and misinformation that has followed us veterans for decades.

A common thread throughout is that not one of these veterans would hesitate to risk his life for a total stranger and felt confident that someone else would do the same for them. They didn't take territory to hold it as in other wars, they fought the enemy wherever they could find him to stop or at least discourage his infiltration into South Vietnam. That meant that we might fight the same battle in the same place at different times - happening a lot - and some troops would wonder what the hell we were doing, whether it was all a waste. Troops fought to protect one another! Then when somebody was wounded, these brave medivac pilots risked everything to save his comrade on the ground. Many of those wounded during the war have unsuccessfully sought out the pilot and medivac crews over the years, wanting to formally thank them for saving their lives.

Terry suggests that readers begin with two special chapters in the book before starting Chapter 1 - I also recommend doing this as it provides some background to the war and touches upon many of the myths and half-truths of the Vietnam War. There are forty-six different tales - some long, some short, but all provides the reader with food for thought...they were the best you had, America, and you turned your back on them!

Highly recommended to all who want to know the truth about the Vietnam War. Great job Mr. Garlock! Welcome Home, sir! Thank you for being there when us grunts needed you - we are forever grateful!

John Podlaski, author
Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel… (plus d'informations)

Great book. I highly recommend anyone adopting from China buy this book - not just read it. It is a father writing about his adoptions from China. At the end of the book he has written to his daughters the things he wants them to know about life in case he's not around. It is outstanding. He also shows pictures & text for a powerpoint presentation he did for his girls with their adoption story. All great idea's & very helpful. I got more belly laughs out of this book than I have from any other book in a long time. This book is going off sale so if you are interested in it find a copy NOW!!!… (plus d'informations)