"The Women"

 

 

The average American reads about 12 books a year.         

Since Sharon has been retired for nearly 10 years, and I work as a substitute teacher, we read more books than the average American. I normally average about 50 books a year, and Sharon averages about 100.

On occasion, we will stumble on a book that is so compelling, that it is hard to put it down.

“The Women” is one of those books.

I don’t remember what organization recommended the book – but I am glad that they did.

I picked it up at the library on Wednesday afternoon, and I finished reading it Friday afternoon, a decent accomplishment in view of the fact that the large print edition of the book is more than 600 pages.

The main character is a nurse named Frances, and she went to Vietnam in 1967 as an Army nurse. Obviously, she lived through some difficult times, and her return home two years later was not exactly a welcoming experience.

In the late 1960’s, the folks who served their country were not treated with respect, even though they should have been

In the first draft lotter, in 1969, I drew #169, which meant that I would have been drafted in May of 1970. Naturally, I went to every guard unit and reserve unit in the Twin Cities, and joined the first place that called me, which was a National Guard unit in St. Paul, where I eventually spent 6 years of my life, meeting once a month, and 2 weeks every summer at a camp in northern Minnesota.

 

I have been to the Vietnam Veteran wall in D.C. and can attest to the fact that there are people that I knew that have their names etched in to the black marble on the all, including a young man named Thomas Brennan.

 

Gary Sinese has done as much as anyone in  supporting the guys that served, and his book “A Grateful American” is worth reading. You may remember that he played the part of Captain Dan in Forest Gump”.

 

https://tohell-andback.blogspot.com/2023/10/fortunate-son.html

The men and women who serve in the military today are treated much better than the folks who came back home in the 1970’s – but not by everybody.

Any politician who thinks that the people who serve in the military are “suckers and losers” is a complete scumbag, and should not be allowed to hold office, ESPECIALLY as commander-in -chief.

Set some time aside and read the book. You will be glad that you did.