War – It changes everyone and everything it touches. But especially the men who live in the trenches. Who fight the battles. Lt. Colonel Jackson Joseph MacKenzie is one of those men. He grew up in the shadow of a legendary Marine. Part of a family tradition to serve, he joined the United States Army. His first war – Korea -taught him death the hard way, both personal and professional. His second – Vietnam – never-ending pain. And betrayal by those above him. Those he trusted. His superiors. Given a top-secret mission to help end the war, he carried out his orders. Then upon his return, they disavowed any knowledge of it. He found himself in a six-by-eight cell with no way out and no hope. A man broken by the horrors of the Vietnam War and the POW camp that left everlasting scars. Memories – nightmares – that haunted him, even awake, and left him a prisoner in his own mind.
Targeted Age Group:: Adult
What Inspired You to Write Your Book?
The beginning came in a dream and an article in Time magazine. Heroes today are few. And we need more of them.
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
January 15, 1972
Phước Vĩnh, South Vietnam
The late midday sun beating down on him, Lt. Colonel Jackson MacKenzie walked across the packed earth of the Phước Vĩnh forward base camp. A distinctive growl broke the silence. Close enough to feel the pressure wave, a low flying fully laden F4 Phantom flashed over his head like a lightning bolt. Sunlight glinted off the camo-painted wings as it banked sharply west. The air exploded with the sounds of bombs and machine-gun fire. Charlie must be close to the perimeter. He flipped off the safety on his M16 with his finger on the trigger.
Jackson strolled into Colonel Matthew Johnson’s outer office, shouldered his M16, removed his Green Beret, and tucked it under his belt. The colonel’s aide, Captain Colin “Knuckles” White, ushered him into the inner office. He smiled at the former Golden Gloves boxer as he passed and came to attention in front of his superior officer. “Lieutenant Colonel MacKenzie reporting as ordered, sir.”
Colonel Johnson finished his signature before acknowledging him with a nod. “At ease.”
Jackson snapped his hands behind his back and waited for further instructions.
“Take a seat, MacKenzie.”
“Yes, sir.” Jackson sat on the chair in front of the desk and laid his weapon on the floor.
“The Pentagon brass and the CIA have a new mission for you.” Colonel Johnson drummed his fingers on the desk.
“What do they want us to do, sir?” Jackson ground his teeth together. “And why is the CIA involved?”
“I know you don’t like to work for them. It’s a broken record every time it comes up.”
“Yeah, too many chances of getting screwed over.”
“Well, this operation came directly from the Pentagon. The information on the black market art dealings came from the CIA.”
“Well, sir, what’s the mission?”
Links to Purchase Print Books
Link to Buy The Jackson MacKenzie Chronicles In the Eye of the Storm Print Edition at 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.
