Comments about "No Immediate Threat"

Date: 29 Nov 2005
Time: 13:37:35
 

Comments

I grew up with Steve. I even remember when you were born. Steve and I went thru school together and hung out together. We were the 2 smallest kids in our class and were in the same Cubscout pack and held our meeting in my basement. The 2 Den mothers were my mom and the lady across the street. I used to spend the night at your house and he and I would watch Gregory Grave's Chiller show. Email me and I will share some good stories with you. I will see if my dad has pictures from the Boy. He was Scoutmaster and took a lot of them. Maybe we could get together and share some memories.

My sister mailed the obituary from the paper after it was published and I was stunned to say the least. The sadness brought back a lot of great memories of growing up in a Leave It To beaver world.

Tom Winegar

Date: 28 Oct 2005
Time: 08:40:05
 

Comments

It is a good read. Once I started I didn't want to stop but had to for obvious reasons like work. You tell Steve's story very well, honestly and paint a vivid picture of life in the 60's Viet Nam and on thru till his death. War is so contrary to what we are brought up to believe that it's no wonder our military turn to alcohol or drugs to numb themselves from the pain and memories. Far too many have lived Steve's life and will continue with the current war in Iraq. Our services to help need to be on a grander scale,the government cannot look the other way. There are many things in life which are too big for anyone to handle on their own and your book shows quite well how deep the abuse can be. I hope as others read it they become more aware of this and do more for any service member and family but most of all those who really need help get the help they need. Being aware empowers people. I feel I have learned so much more thru your book and will not forget it. It is sad to say that we expect our military personnel to be ready to serve,give up everything and when the worst of the worst happens they are left to go it alone. If Steve could convey anything to you I think it would be that he is very proud of his sister who told his story to the world and that he can rest in peace knowing she and her family loved him very much. Your book did bring tears to my eyes and I feel the sadness of his life and knowing that there are so many others out there having gone thru or are/will. It is not an easy road to travel nor is it easy to know he is one of several hundred thousand. -Barb Vatza

Date: 25 Oct 2005
Time: 13:47:13
 

Comments

Having finished "No Immediate Threat", I find myself contemplating on what I did not know prior reading it. This book does a number of things for its readers. It tells the story of a Vietnam veteran and his family, all that they went through and how they felt at each turn. It shows the human side of a war that has been ignored for far too long. It gives us a glimpse of the trauma that Vietnam veterans experienced and carried with them throughout their lives. Many of these vets are still alive today, trying to cope, trying to understand a war that made no sense. This book opens eyes and touches hearts. It pulls one out of their comfort zone and shows what such a trauma can cause in the mind and soul of a veteran who survived the war but not the after shock.

Date: 19 Oct 2005
Time: 09:47:43
 

Comments

To the veteran who suffers . . .to the families who suffer as well . . . this book frameworks the struggle!  And, for the skeptic, it challenges the prejudice assosicated with mental disorders resulting from combat and combat-related trauma.  I have never read anything from "cover-to-cover" in my life, until today!  Your brother and I shared baseball, scouting, a fear of ghosts, problems with relationships, wanderlust, and alcoholism!  And, we shared the feelings of inadequacy and guilt.  For him, Ft. Lewis was a blessing . . . I flew back into the center of the maelstrom . . . Los Angeles and all the "Flower Children!"  Talk about a life-changing event on top of another life-changing event!  WOW!!!!   Thank you for writing this book!  It honors the life and times of your brother, Steve, and your entire family!  It also serves as a centerpoint for the entire combat veteran community!  Your work continues the hope for a better tomorrow!  Can you smell the cigarette smoke . . . ???   God Bless You, Kerri . . . .

Marv Sandbek, U.S. Air Force, Retired