Interview on Vietnam War Books That Influenced Me

More than five decades ago I patrolled the rivers of Vietnam. Four decades later, I told my stories. I was recently invited to participate in an interview about Vietnam War literature that influenced me. The top five books t are listed, but there were also countless other narratives that I learned from, including the World …

Cost of War MUDDY JUNGLE RIVERS–Epilogue

23 years ago, “Buddha” Ed Thomas died alone in an isolated cabin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We had lost contact 31 years earlier when I was medevac’d out of an ambush during our Vietnam adventure.  Through a series of events, we had reconnected a few years before he died. I came to realize that if …

2017 Veterans’ Voice Award

September 11, 2017, my wife, Patti, and several family members attended the 2017 Veterans’ Voices Award ceremony at University of St. Thomas. The Minnesota Humanities Center started the program in 2013 to recognize Minnesota Veterans who quietly work with the underserved members of our state. I was deeply honored to be selected. The evening had …

Remembering Jim Northrup

In April 2015, Jim Northrup and I were featured speakers at an evening program titled, “Making Meaning of Vietnam.” I will always cherish the memory of Jim, sitting a few feet from me, nodding in agreement and encouragement as I spoke. Jim followed me. My sister videoed Jim’s presentation. As I sat watching the video …