Douglas Neralich

Dear Donna, It's Only 45 Hours from Bien Hoa Douglas Neralich

'That's because they (The Vietnamese) hate us and they'd like to see our sorry asses go home or go to hell. They don't give a shit about being saved from communism. And I got more news for you,' Covelli fumed.'What's that?' I asked.'There are a whole bunch of people back in the World who hate you, too. Answer this, Doc,' he persisted. 'What color hats do the good guys usually wear in a western movie?''White, but I don't understand how that-''What color hat you wearin', Doc?' he interrupted.'Green, ' I replied.'Exactly,' he spat. And he turned and walked away. What is it about the Vietnam War that haunts America and the veterans of that conflict decades after the fighting was declared officially over? Was the experience of Vietnam Veterans different from veterans of other wars?Dear Donna, Its only 45 Hours from Bien Hoa, is a personal account of a year in Vietnam as seen through the eyes of a twenty-two-year-old elementary school teacher turned Army medic, as he tries to survive his year long tour of duty in Vietnam. He's Doc to the members of the 36th Engineer Battalion, whose mission is to build a road and bridges through the hostile swamps of the Mekong River Delta. What happens to Doc and the other young men serving with him while they experience the surreal random destruction wrought by war is sometimes deep and tragic, and, at times, heartwarming and funny. The book is filled with short stories and anecdotes that will reveal experiences common to most Vietnam Veterans. If you have questions about the Vietnam War, or about Vietnam Veterans, the characters you will meet in the short stories and vignettes on the pages of this book might provide some clues and perhaps some answers for you. As Sergeant Costal would say: 'Saddle it up and move it out.' Enjoy the book.