Whether you ever served in the Military or not, Veterans Day is a time of reflection. These book recommendations from one of my favorite Vets are perfect for Veterans Day.
Feel free to thank a Vet because whether they have served in a combat or not, their sacrifices have likely been many. Missed social obligations with family and friends because of physical training, field exercises, or other duties seem minor until they have piled on each other for years, or until that missed birthday or anniversary celebration turned out to be the last. For those who have served in a combat, the sacrifices for both them and their families have likely ranged from not having internet connection in order to make a video call, to missing the birth of a child or the death of the parent, to dealing with everything that comes with redeployment.
My friend Tanya began her military career as an enlisted radio operator and ended it as a Medical Service Corps Officer. She tells stories about her time in service that will literally make you laugh out loud, and others that make you shake your head. It was a natural thing to ask her to recommend books for this blog post since she and I are in a book club together and often get lost in discussions about books of all genres.
It did not take her long to send me these recommendations, all three of which she has personal connections to.
Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War by Mark Bowden
“I was stationed with the 10th MTN DIV from 1993-1995 and supported the 10th AVN DIV. I read a copy of the flight ops transcripts in 1995, before this book was even written. Later on in my career, I had the pleasure of serving under Philip Volpe, who was the Command Surgeon during the Battle of Mogadishu. You can see his bio here:
A historical book is always more interesting when you know the players.”
Book summary from Goodreads:
On October 3, 1993, about a hundred U.S. soldiers were dropped by helicopter into a teeming market in the heart of Mogadishu, Somalia, to abduct two top lieutenants of a Somali warlord. The action was supposed to take an hour. Instead, they spent a long and terrible night fighting thousands of armed Somalis. By morning, eighteen Americans were dead, and more than seventy badly injured. Mark Bowden’s gripping narrative is one of the most exciting accounts of modern war ever written–a riveting story that captures the heroism, courage and brutality of battle.
Reflections of a Warrior: Six Years as a Green Beret in Vietnam by Franklin D. Miller
“I had the pleasure of speaking with this hero on the phone when he called to talk to my boss. My boss (Pappy) retired from the Army the year before I was born. He is a highly decorated Special Forces (original SOG) A team First Sergeant who has plenty of good stories. He spent seven years in Vietnam and this is the book that he recommended to me. It is the story of how Frank earned his MOH.
Frank Miller – this MOH recipient, called my boss from the hospital before he died to say goodbye to Pappy. Wartime friendships are everlasting and create a bond like no other.”
Book summary from Goodreads:
PFC Franklin Miller arrived in Vietnam in March 1966, and saw his first combat in a Reconnaissance Platoon. So began an odyssey that would make him into one of the most feared and respected men in the Special Forces elite, who made their own rules in the chaos of war. In the exclusive world of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Studies and Observation Group, Miller ran missions deep into enemy territory to gather intelligence, snatch prisoners, and to kill. Leading small bands of battle-hardened Montagnard and Meo tribesmen, he was fierce and fearless — fighting army policy to stay in combat for six tours. On a top-secret mission in 1970, Miller and a handful of men, all critically injured, held off the NVA in an incredible Alamo-like stand — for which he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. When his time in Southeast Asia ended, he had also received the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars, an Air Medal, and six Purple Hearts. This is his incredible story.
The Only Thing Worth Dying For: How Eleven Green Berets Forged a New Afghanistan by Eric Blehm, Jason Amerine
“So, I ran into an old friend when I was last stationed at Fort Bragg. We started to run down our life stories since we were at BNCOC together and I found out he is a highly decorated War hero. When I started to ask around about him, my friend said – if you want to know his story, read The Only Thing Earth Dying For. (And so I did.)”
Book summary from Goodreads:
Eric Blehm, author of the award-winning The Last Season, is back with another true adventure story, The Only Thing Worth Dying For. Set in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, The Only Thing Worth Dying For chronicles the untold story of the team of Green Berets led by Captain Jason Amerine that conquered the Taliban and helped bring Hamid Karzai to power in Afghanistan. In the tradition of Black Hawk Down, The Only Thing Worth Dying For is, in the words of former Congressman Charlie Wilson (from Charlie Wilson’s War), “the one book you must read if you have any hope of understanding what our fine American soldiers are up against in Afghanistan.”
Veterans Day 2019
I am willing to bet that you know at least one Veteran well enough to know their sacrifices, but there are probably many others in all aspects of your life that you have no idea how their time in service has affected them. Say thank you today, tomorrow, and every day. Listen to their stories. Sometimes they are reminiscing. Sometimes they are healing. Remember that every Vet that ever served raised their hand and signed a blank check.
For more military reads that make great Veterans Day book recommendations, check out my Memorial Day blog.
Thanks for these suggestions!! ❤️ Your blog!!