Frances Richey

Ben and I made a visit to Fort Carson to read from The Warrior and talk with military family members and post personnel. A special thanks to Ann Edinger, who set up the reading, to Doris Chandler, who's been getting the word out about The Warrior since last fall, and to everyone at the Grant Library who made us feel so welcome. This visit was particularly touching to me because I had the chance to meet two soldiers who served with Ben over the last few years. I could see their respect and affection for each other, and I knew as I watched them talk, that though Ben will soon be a civilian, he will always be a Green Beret. It is so moving to me to know there are men and women who, though they love their families and would rather be home with them, volunteer themselves to serve with the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force on our behalf. No matter how one feels about the war, it is a privilege to meet these men and women and their families and to be able to thank them.

The book tour and interviews have brought me in touch not only with family members whose lives have been affected by this war, but also with Vietnam and WWII vets and their families. When you send in your stories, please let me know if it's okay for me to post your message on the blog. And those of you who I met "on the road" who shared with me your thoughts and feelings about your sons and daughters, husbands and wives, nieces and nephews, who are serving now, or about to be deployed, please write in with updates. It was an honor to meet you all.