This civilian has never endured the horror of bullets being fi red at him, but Barela’s book brought that frightful experience to life in a most unsettling way. Anecdotes of all sorts break up the combat narratives. Some provide humor, others inspiration, and some provoke tears. Barela writes of combat in graphic detail that sometimes borders on the mystic. At times the writing approaches the spiritual level in a discussion of good and evil.
As a civilian, I can’t share the camaraderie of those who have fought in combat, but Barela’s writing pulled me in and put me uncomfortably close to the action.
The book may be easy to read, but it is not an easy read. When I finished the book, I found myself moved by the experience of reading it. It made this civilian grateful and eternally thankful to those who served in that long ago place.”
Darrel Walker, Educator
“So many books on Vietnam give you the big picture on operations, Washington politics, anti-war movement, etc. Leaders always dress up war to such lofty heights. Your book cuts through all that and takes the reader down to the tip of the spear, where people get killed.
The Marines in the book are human and interesting. You expose the weak and brave, and the competent and incompetent. But on the whole these Marines clearly uphold their training and the bond all Marines have had for so many wars and actions. Anyone wanting to know why the Marines are such a different organization can find the answers in your book.
If someone wanted to know how 30 or 40 years later, you could still be traumatized by Vietnam they should read your book” Ted Rathborn, U.S. Marine officer, (Vietnam)
"I love your book and will be happy to buy a number of copies to support your excellent writing ability and story telling. I have read this non-stop taking only breaks to eat, sleep, and shower. You should not have to give any copies to anyone as this book deserves no discounts” SF, John Wilkerson, US Navy Corpsman (Vietnam)
Many believe that war’s appetite is violence and it can only be appeased with death and destruction. But war also gives birth to respect, honor, to glory, and to shame. Those who fight for life can be full of compassion in times of suffering and pain and that often fosters trust, care, and hope amidst death and destruction. War often cultivates friendship and love among those fighting and dying in the midst of chaos and devastation. Although friendships could be ended quickly, I was beginning to realize that one of the most cherished gifts to come out of war was the friendship it produced. War dispenses this gift of friendship and love to those who have shared its pain, sorrow, and joy in times of conflict and in victory. It does this whether we want it or not.
There was a profound disturbance present when we set in for the night. The full moon overhead, added to the gloom and loneliness we all felt. Second Platoon had suffered the most, in the battle. Some of those men had experienced hopelessness, felt helpless, and suffered the depressing consequences of war. We stood watch while others slept then slept while others stood watch, but it was an uneasy sleep. Some slept for only minutes while others didn’t sleep at all. The memories of the day and of our dead and wounded was, still very real in our hearts and minds.
We had all experienced and witnessed war at its front door. We had felt distress at seeing Marines killed or wounded. It was baptism by fire for many of us. We were no longer young and inexperienced men but Marines who had been scared, experienced deep fear, faced death and had fought back. We had done what men have done since the beginning of time: we had met the enemy on the battlefield of life and death and had survived. Our doubts about war and manhood, fear and courage, had been met in the fields of fire and we had performed as was expected of us. The proud and the brave were among us, so were the fearful and humbled; we were one and the same. We were men of war and many of us had also conquered the fear of uncertainty. It was the sorrow, fear, and the pain of war that made us a united military fighting unit that day. While we didn’t look forward to what tomorrow would bring, we no longer feared that we might not respond to the battle cry.
“Hey, Cuch,” Prescott said, “yeah,” Chief answered.
“I was scared.” Cuch looked over at the Marine. “I was scared, so I hid right after Stringbeans was hit. I fell backwards when he was hit, and when the gooks ran right by me, I hid in the bushes.”
“At least, you’re alive,” Chief said, and with that, Prescott took in a long sigh, and returned his thoughts to the battle before them.
We fought for democracy and for a dream that was obtainable by the people of Vietnam. We felt honored to have served our country, to have been given the opportunity in life to be more than a witness to history.
If we failed, it was not because we did not do our duty; it was because others entrusted with higher responsibilities failed to do theirs.
R.M. “Cook” Barela has authored many short stories, poems and news articles that have appeared in magazines, newspapers, and on the Internet. “Dreams of Glory, Fields of Fire,” is written from a dairy he kept, as a US Marine and is his first book on the Vietnam War. He is a retired Los Angeles Police officer, has an MA degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. A noted photographer and artist. Cook Barela, lives in Riverside, California.