Duty – Service – Love of country – Honor – Dreams – Family. Those words mean everything to young Michael “Mikey” Roberts. From a small Kansas town, Mikey wants to find his path in life. To accomplish that he joins the United States Army. During his first tour of duty in Vietnam, he found his path…medicine. He became a Special Forces medic. However, in war that path can fork many times. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worst. Mikey finds more horror than he expected and learns more about life than he ever wanted to know.
Targeted Age Group:: Adult
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
The beginning of the 1st book in the series came in a dream and an article in Time magazine. Heroes today are few. And we need more of them. This book is a continuation of that theme. It goes into the backstories of the characters and how they met, seen in the eyes of the unit medic.
How Did You Come up With Your Characters?
My characters come from many places. My friends, people I admire, people I despise. Some are a mixture of traits I would like to see in others and myself.
Book Sample
Mikey elbowed his way through the crowd, looking for his parents. He found them next to the bleachers. His father, Glen Roberts, was leaning against the supports wearing his brown felt fedora tipped over his eyes with his arms crossed. Beside him, his mother, Denise Roberts, was tucking her camera back into her purse. Her pictures awed the congregation of the Garden City Protestant Church. They graced the cover of every newsletter and even made the local paper several times a year. He was sure she used up several rolls of film for the ceremony.
“Congratulations, son.” His father straightened and patted him on the back.
“Hey, Dad—”
His mother had a completely different plan. She bulldozed past his father and enveloped Mikey in a bear hug, embracing him so tight he could hardly breathe. She might not ever let go. He allowed her to smother him as long as she wanted. To protest was to invite her wrath, and he wanted no part of that. She could make even his tough-as-nails instructors cower in fear. Eventually, she released him and stepped back.
“Hi, Mom.” Mikey straightened his class A green jacket and adjusted his brand new Green Beret from over his eyes.
“You’re too skinny. I’ll take care of that when we get home. Don’t they feed you?”
“Mom, I’ve gained twenty pounds since basic training and grown two inches. Yes, they feed us. Didn’t you notice I’m not five-seven anymore? I’m the same height as Dad now.”
His mother shook her head. “Yes, I did, but you’re still too thin.”
“If you say so, Mom.” He wasn’t going to correct her or roll his eyes and get chastised in front of a battalion of Green Berets. That would be embarrassing.
“I do.” His mother kissed his cheek. Now that was embarrassing.
Mikey smiled. His mother never thought he ate enough. He was looking forward to scratch-made biscuits and gravy with fresh eggs and his mother’s specialty, shepherd’s pie—pan sautéed ground beef in butter, carrots, onions, green beans, and corn covered with mashed potatoes. Thinking about it made his mouth water. Added with her pumpkin pie, he’d be in absolute heaven. By the end of the second week, he’d need to go on a diet and running a lot more than five miles.
“So, you’re jump qualified now?” his father asked, brushing his hand across the jump wings next to the combat medic badge on Mikey’s chest.
“Low level, HALO, and everything in between, Dad. You have to be to join the Special Forces. Along with becoming familiar with most of the combat arms in the world. You know that.”
“Yeah, you told me in your letters. But it’s different seeing it for real. I was just a grunt in Korea. All I knew was how to dig foxholes, shoot an M1, and stab people with a bayonet. When did you get the Army Commendation Medal?”
“A couple of weeks ago for saving two men in a Cong bombing outside the hospital while under fire from a sniper when I was still in-country.”
“Good for you, son. Are you ready for the steak dinner I promised you?”
“Yes, sir.” Mikey pointed at the barracks in the distance. “Let me grab my duffle bag from my bunk first.” He winked at his mother. “I’m starving.” And ready to go home.
Links to Purchase Print Books
Link to Buy The Jackson MacKenzie Chronicles Brothers In Arms Print Edition at Amazon
Links to Purchase eBooks
Link To Buy The Jackson MacKenzie Chronicles Brothers In Arms On Amazon
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Author Bio:
I'm many things. And had many different careers. My life has been a learning experience for over 50 years. I have been a bomb dog handler, loaded cargo planes on the cargo ramp. Sat at a computer entering data. Washed dishes at a restaurant and sacked groceries.
I have attended FEMA classes in Terrorism, Suicide bombers, and Nuclear/Biological. I have handled explosives, shot different weapons, from the M1 Garand to the AR-15, and many different pistols.
I am a college graduate with a BA in Political Science and History. I'm a WWII history buff. The P-51 Mustang and F4U Corsair are my favorite planes of WWII. Many people in my family have served. My father, step-father, step-brother, two great uncles, and many, many friends.
I am a musician. I can and do DIY. My kitchen turned out nice as I figured out how to refinish the cabinets.
I love to travel. Been to Europe. My favorite place there. Pompeii. Eerie and exciting at the same time in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius I have seen the battleships Alabama, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri.
My experience is across a wide range of things. A jack of many trades and master of none. Or maybe a few.
