by Pamela Sankey Herrera (Author), Samuel J. Augustine (Author)
They Went in Harm's Way. The author's favorite story is in a section called, "Son repeats Father's Sacrifice." That was the headline on the front page of most major newspapers. However, this is the only background account ever written on Navy Commander Leo Hester and Army Warrant Officer Leo Hester. Both pilots, who died two years apart in Vietnam. Three of the other stories also made national headlines at the time. One was a POW initially classified as killed in action, only to become one of the more famous among those held captive in VN. There is a story on an Army helicopter pilot in VN, who performed as well later on with US Customs. See how he brought down a drug-laden aircraft by bumping it with his Blackhawk helicopter.A Marine General who flew the F-14 and the F-18 and was the first to take out a radar site in Bosnia while supporting UN ground troops. He was later involved in the F-35 program. These and other accounts are more than just entertaining, they will educate you as well.Reading these stories will bring laughter and tears as well as the knowledge that these men are representative of all who served. They have become your friends and your neighbors and the insight you get inside these pages can spur many discussions with veterans. There is a false belief that most vets prefer not to discuss their time in the military. When given the opportunity to speak with someone who will listen, vets will open up and you will not want to stop them from telling you stories.Now, all stories from vets are about guts and glory, and that's good because that's not what most people want to hear. However, just ask them about their days in boot camp or officer candidate school and I promise you, you will chuckle right along with them.The fascinating accounts demonstrate the importance of, and that common denominator found in those who serve for us. Their common denominator is the stuff that makes heroes. The author hopes you will recognize the people in these stories because they are your neighbors and friends. Having written an impressive narrative of great men, Sam Augustine is also contributing fifty percent of his royalties to the Veterans of Foreign Wars relief fund. The author is a member of both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Author Biography
THEY WENT IN HARM'S WAY
Sam Augustine served two tours in Vietnam as a Naval Officer. Following his separation from the military, he went into life insurance sales and became an Investment Advisor for forty-six years. He recently turned his practice over to two of his daughters who he says have taken it to a higher level. He is proud of their achievements as he is of all his children.
Looking back, he believes more than half of their corporate clients and many of their individual clients served our country in uniform.
Sam loves baseball and coached teenagers for eighteen years. It was his way of giving back to the community, where he lived.
Sam is the proud father of nine children and so-far at least, twenty grandchildren.
When speaking about the book he says, "I have in my life been fortunate to know so many good men who served our nation and wanted to share their stories as a way of saying thank you for your service. To hold them up as an inspiration to others, especially our young. I am proud to know the men in these stories. I am proud they are my friends."
Pamela Sankey Herrera is a single mother who raised two wonderful children and is especially proud of her grandchildren. She will talk your ear off if you give her an opportunity to talk about those boys. Her children give her a sense of fulfillment.
Pam's involvement with her children included attending classes and earning a certification at a local hospital to provide emergency first aid to school athletes during sporting events. She shines when talking about her participation in her children's school activities.
As a single mother, she worked at two jobs. At seventy, Pam still enjoys working full-time as a Union Claims' Specialist Administrator for the Operating Engineers in the Philadelphia area.
She finds time to give back to her community today by assisting others with programs helping children at a local hospital.
Pam feels that collaborating on this book with a friend from her childhood has been a fulfilling experience. She goes on to say that, "the true authors are those brave men in these stories."