I have submitted my second proof for editing...
There are still interviews to add, yet the main body; letters and historical content, are complete!
What a journey!!!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Release date
The tentative release date for "It's Lonely Here in Hell" Love Letters from Nam is November 11, 2011...Veterans Day.
Soon there will be an opportunity to sign up for a pre-release copy at a discounted price.
The books price will be $14.99. There will be a limited amount available and the pre-release date has yet to be set...so stay tuned.
Soon there will be an opportunity to sign up for a pre-release copy at a discounted price.
The books price will be $14.99. There will be a limited amount available and the pre-release date has yet to be set...so stay tuned.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Interview with the Calaveras Enterprise
In the spring of 1967, James Piper told his wife he loved her for the last time.
“I thank God each night for my wife and my life and also enjoy every breath that I take and praise every morning I wake up ...” the Army private wrote from Vietnam on April 9, 1967. “It means another day gone, another day I’m alive, and another day closer to being home with my wife forever.”
Piper never made it home to his young wife, Micki. He died from small-arms fire just two days after writing that letter. The couple, who married June 18, 1966, planned to vacation in Hawaii and try to start a family when he was scheduled to return home to San Lorenzo later that summer.
On April 4, 2011, Copperopolis resident Micki Phillips took the letters out of storage, deciding it was time to share her late husband’s story and the stories of other Vietnam veterans.
“I picked that letter up – first two words into it and I already knew which one it was,” she said, even though she hadn’t seen it in nearly half a century.
Phillips, who co-owns Micki and Larry’s Sports Pub in Copperopolis, decided friend and author Charity Maness was the perfect person to pen the story.
Without reading any more, Phillips handed the letters over to her friend.
“They were so musty and old, I felt like I was holding history,” Maness said.
READ MORE
“I thank God each night for my wife and my life and also enjoy every breath that I take and praise every morning I wake up ...” the Army private wrote from Vietnam on April 9, 1967. “It means another day gone, another day I’m alive, and another day closer to being home with my wife forever.”
Piper never made it home to his young wife, Micki. He died from small-arms fire just two days after writing that letter. The couple, who married June 18, 1966, planned to vacation in Hawaii and try to start a family when he was scheduled to return home to San Lorenzo later that summer.
On April 4, 2011, Copperopolis resident Micki Phillips took the letters out of storage, deciding it was time to share her late husband’s story and the stories of other Vietnam veterans.
“I picked that letter up – first two words into it and I already knew which one it was,” she said, even though she hadn’t seen it in nearly half a century.
Phillips, who co-owns Micki and Larry’s Sports Pub in Copperopolis, decided friend and author Charity Maness was the perfect person to pen the story.
Without reading any more, Phillips handed the letters over to her friend.
“They were so musty and old, I felt like I was holding history,” Maness said.
READ MORE
Friday, July 1, 2011
More Reading....
I figure I have digested about 400 pages of information that our government has kept "secret" for 44+ years...and believe it or not, I am not bored in the least. Though it has created an extremely long list of questions that will most likely be left unanswered I am still plowing through.
My hope in writing this book is that people will walk away from reading it with the realization that Vietnam Veterans are NOT simply a statistic, they are real people with real fears, hopes, dreams, and a memory of a time the world should never forget.
To all you veterans out there...THANK YOU!!!!!
My hope in writing this book is that people will walk away from reading it with the realization that Vietnam Veterans are NOT simply a statistic, they are real people with real fears, hopes, dreams, and a memory of a time the world should never forget.
To all you veterans out there...THANK YOU!!!!!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Pentagon Papers - hmmm
So interesting ...
Its official, I really enjoy the research aspect of writing.
History unfolding right before my eyes.
Its official, I really enjoy the research aspect of writing.
History unfolding right before my eyes.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Clearance to use CIA Docs!!!
I just received clearance and authorization to use declassified CIA docs pertaining to the Vietnam war for my book!!!
Let the swimming through political mud begin!
Let the swimming through political mud begin!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Interview with the Calaveras Enterprise
This week, reporter Kate Gonzales from the Calaveras Enterprise made the trek to Copperopolis to interview Micki and me regarding the collection of love letters and the book in progress. She was so thorough! 1 1/2 hours later I think she received more information than she planned on:)
The memories for Micki were as crystal clear as if it was yesterday. The first time she saw Jim; their wedding; his Christmas leave; the feeling of utter despair when the freshly pressed uniformed soldier stood on her doorstep informing her of her loss; the overpowering fragrance from the flowers at the memorial; the numbness; then the emptiness.
Again I need to thank Micki for allowing me the honor of writing this book. The particular trip down memory lane will be a long and difficult one for Micki but as she says, "This is not about me, its about telling the true story of our boys, young men, not the Hollywood version." These letters show how the men dealt with what was going on around them, their intense need for contact from home, living just one more day on the fuel that letter from home gave them...the hope.
The memories for Micki were as crystal clear as if it was yesterday. The first time she saw Jim; their wedding; his Christmas leave; the feeling of utter despair when the freshly pressed uniformed soldier stood on her doorstep informing her of her loss; the overpowering fragrance from the flowers at the memorial; the numbness; then the emptiness.
Again I need to thank Micki for allowing me the honor of writing this book. The particular trip down memory lane will be a long and difficult one for Micki but as she says, "This is not about me, its about telling the true story of our boys, young men, not the Hollywood version." These letters show how the men dealt with what was going on around them, their intense need for contact from home, living just one more day on the fuel that letter from home gave them...the hope.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
April 9, 1967
I thank God each night for my wife and my life and also enjoy every breath that I take and praise every morning I wake up too. It means another day gone, another day I’m alive, and another day closer to being home with my wife forever.
Every ounce of love to you sweetie,
Jim
Final Letter from Nam
I just finished entering the final letter from PFC James Piper to his wife Micki, written on April 9, 1967.
Now to complete my research.
Now to complete my research.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Thoughts of love and homecoming pervade each letter
On March 5, 1967 Jim wrote:
“I think of you and dream of you constantly through my limited days in hell on earth.
Please expect me for dinner on Feb 18, 1968 because I will be there alive and well."
Loving your enormously,
Jim
(Excerpt from book titled "It's lonely here in hell" love letters from Nam)
“I think of you and dream of you constantly through my limited days in hell on earth.
Please expect me for dinner on Feb 18, 1968 because I will be there alive and well."
Loving your enormously,
Jim
(Excerpt from book titled "It's lonely here in hell" love letters from Nam)
Sunday, May 29, 2011
"It's Lonely Here in Hell" love letters from Nam
Introduction
In 2010 Michelle (Micki) Phillips (previously Micki Piper) approached me and asked if I would be interested in writing a story based on love letters from the Vietnam War era. While my writing at the time leaned toward romance novels and cub reporting my interest was piqued. When she informed me the letters she was referring to were letters written to her from her husband who died from small arms fire in the Vietnam War leaving her a young widow, my heart broke.
To be allowed the intimate glimpse into her life, the life she so briefly shared with her young husband, and to then share his letters with the world was without a doubt an honor I would not take lightly.
How better to honor, not only her husband’s memory, but the memory of all the servicemen that never made it home to hold their wives, their daughters, their sisters, their mothers.
In 2010 Michelle (Micki) Phillips (previously Micki Piper) approached me and asked if I would be interested in writing a story based on love letters from the Vietnam War era. While my writing at the time leaned toward romance novels and cub reporting my interest was piqued. When she informed me the letters she was referring to were letters written to her from her husband who died from small arms fire in the Vietnam War leaving her a young widow, my heart broke.
To be allowed the intimate glimpse into her life, the life she so briefly shared with her young husband, and to then share his letters with the world was without a doubt an honor I would not take lightly.
How better to honor, not only her husband’s memory, but the memory of all the servicemen that never made it home to hold their wives, their daughters, their sisters, their mothers.
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