The main job an officer had in the squadron was to be a pilot or RIO. Pilots were judged on their competency in the air, whether they were ‘a good stick’. This ranking went on a scale from “a damn fine stick’ to ‘unsafe at any speed’.
Title: SIX DEGREES OF THE BRACELET: VIETNAM'S CONTINUING GRIP
Author: John Siegfried
Genre: Non-Fiction Memoir
Reviewer: Hodge Wood
ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 1462845789
Six degrees of separation refers to the idea that everyone is at most six steps away from, or connected to, any other person on Earth.
While the Vietnam War was raging, silver bracelets were created to raise awareness of, and show support for, American servicemen who were prisoners of war (POW) or missing in action (MIA). After the war, black bracelets were produced to pay homage to any of our armed forces killed in action (KIA). The orange bracelet is more recent and symbolizes all those, living and deceased, who have suffered from diseases, combat wounds, and post traumatic stress resulting from their Vietnam service. These bracelets honor the memory and sacrifice of our troops—one of the central goals of this book.
You will be riveted by the indescribable stories told by veterans, about veterans, and for veterans, and by the families of the lost or still missing MIAs. More than 3,400,000 men and women served in Southeast Asia. Although close to 60 percent of all Vietnam veterans who served in-country are no longer alive, the families of all these veterans will continue to be affected by the Vietnam War for generations. This book illustrates the misery and despair experienced by both soldiers and victims of this visceral war, but also the exhilaration of combat, and the camaraderie felt, during their respective tours, to present day
March 23 - 25th.
The book to be discussed is Marcia Sargent's terrific memoir, "Wing Wife: How to to be Married to a Marine Corps Fighter Pilot." The book is fun, rawkus, charming, philosophical, and heartbreaking. It's definitely a must-read. Here's some more information about it: http://www.mwsadispatches.com/sites/default/files/null/WingWifeMarch23_0.pdf
And here's an excerpt from the review I did of it:
Introductions: Bob MacPherson
First, let me say that as a new MWSA member, I’m looking forward to learning from others, to reading authors’ books and other creative works. Second, I’m eternally grateful to all submariners who’ve sailed beneath the ocean blue, including those who are “standing watch on eternal patrol.”
Title: To Serve My Country
Author: Jenna Turnipseed
Genre: Non-Fiction, Autobiography
Reviewer: Frank Evans
ISBN (links go to the MWSA Amazon store): 1602643547
Young woman searching for purpose, a young soldier making her mark in the world. The author puts her life, her thoughts, her challenges, and her pride on display in this insightful story of a young woman's discovery of self. This coming-of-age biography shows how she discovered meaning in her life; conveying an honest and emotional portrayal of life in service to her country. This is the true story of a young woman venturing out into the world seeking adventure, and discovering life, love and herself.