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Remembering & Honoring Our Soldiers
I can’t say enough good things about this book. It is so easy for us to forget how fortunate we are to be protected by our military. We take for granted really important parts of our lives. We don’t always show our appreciation, our thanks, to those who serve.
Firsthand Accounts
James Patterson and Matt Eversmann present interviews with men and women in the military. The stories are straight forward and often difficult to read. They present information that civilians don’t know and don’t think about. Ron Silverman’s story mentioned not being able to walk outside alone for over a year, and how we take for granted being able to walk on the beach in freedom (150). One particularly challenging interview for me mentioned a woman and a child being shot and killed and the only thing the driver (possibly the spouse and child’s father) cared about was the damage to the car (224).
Challenging to Read
If this was challenging to read, how would it be to live it? I thought about my high school and college students as I read this book, how young people are when they sign up for such a huge responsibility and commitment. I thought about myself at 17 and 18 years old. Going to war at that age? I can’t imagine it. My grandfather and great grandfather, who were veterans, were on my mind. My husband’s family members who served stayed on my mind the entire read, as well as the military families in my community I have had the privilege to meet over the years.
The interviews discussed entire villages holding our soldiers in place so that they could be bombed (208), the reality of war vs. Hollywood’s version (212), insurgents targeting female soldiers for attack (231), a culture that values death (308), and our government and military leaders dealing with the possible threat of a chemical attack against our soldiers (316). The descriptions of injury were graphic. Again, I thought to myself, if it’s challenging to read, how would it be to live it?
Excellent Read
It doesn’t matter if you usually don’t read books about the military. It doesn’t matter if you don’t like non-fiction. Walk In My Combat Boots is for everyone. It will remind you of what none of us should need reminding – our service members deserve our respect and our appreciation.
I once called Veterans Affairs to ask some questions and try to get some support for a veteran. The voice on the other end of the phone said to me, “Unfortunately, I see this every day, all day long.” Please don’t forget those who served for us. Honor their stories and experiences.
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