Weekend Read

Memorial Day weekend is a time to remember those who sacrificed for freedom. A freedom that we enjoy every day. We seem to take it forget that people gave so much so that we could have the lives we have today. Those who served in the World Wars have earned the nickname The Greatest Generation and rightfully so. Here were young men and women giving up everything to protect their home, their family, and others.

This weekend I will be thinking of those who served, those who died, those who lost part of themselves to the horror of war, those who lost loved ones, and those who serve today. Not many can do this, it is a hard "job" and you have to be cut out of some tough cloth to do serve the military, no matter if what branch it is. I have family in the Army and the Marines at this time, had family in the Navy (during WWII).

For this weekend I decided I wanted to read a book that would remind me of those who helped to secure our freedom. I picked up Called to Arms Again by J.L. Salter. This is a book that is tugging at my heart strings as I am reading it. As she is going around interviewing veterans and I am reading their stories, it is touching. I have not even gotten to the action of the story yet. I am looking forward to that.

 In the words of the author (J.L. Salter) here is what the story is about

"Called to Arms Again was released a year ago in May from Astraea Press. Of the nine novels I’ve completed so far, this was my third written and my third fiction book published.
It’s the story of a young newspaper reporter looking for a new angle for her Veterans Day special section. Who better to give her a fresh perspective than a bunch of old war dogs who’d been there and back. Not only does Kelly Randall learn what the Greatest Generation was made of, but she soon discovers a great deal about her own mettle.
My story has action, comedy, romance, plenty of the ‘can-do’ spirit, and an unashamedly healthy dose of patriotism. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll cheer."

 Grit doesn’t fade away ... it just becomes crusty. With harrowing elements right out of today’s headlines, this story reaches back into the sturdy heartbeat of people raised during the Depression and tested during World War II. Though the old uniforms haven’t fit in many decades, their resilient spirits still have that same intensity which helped save democracy.

Needing only a fresh angle to write her Veteran’s Day special, Kelly discovers first-hand that the Greatest Generation still has enough grit to fight back. While all the authorities are occupied during a massive Homeland Security drill, an urban gang of thieves targets an isolated retirement subdivision ... figuring the crippled geriatrics would offer no resistance.
Though Kelly’s widowed boyfriend came along only for a post-funeral luncheon, Mitch soon finds himself leading a mismatched flanking team. Kelly’s good friend Wade has his own assignment, with a homemade mortar and lots of illegal gunpowder.
Maybe it’s difficult to remember everyday things like taking pills, but these octogenarians have never forgotten it was up to them to defend family, home, and community. The outcome of their courageous stand depends on the resolve and resourcefulness of an unlikely ensemble of eccentric elderly neighbors, several American Legion members, and others spanning four generations.