Veterans Day is for guys like us here at VP. Memorial Day is for veterans who weren’t so fortunate. We honor their memory today.

I can’t speak for others, of course, but I treat the flag with respect not because I care about the cloth and dye it’s made of, but because of what it represents. Many Americans have put their lives on the line to protect what the flag represents, and many lost their lives doing so. We can argue about what those men really died for (since the War of 1812, at least) but few of them enjoyed the hindsight, or insights, now available. Their sacrifices deserve and command our respect.

For all her faults and damage, I am still thankful to live in America. We still enjoy freedoms here that others around the world don’t. Those freedoms hang in the balance of events playing out all around us right now. But today I’m gonna try not to dwell on heavy issues. I plan to relax, eat, maybe do some reading, and work on the Great American Novel.

Lo and behold, I got a new review on my debut novel (which is about the American fighting man, BTW). That was a pleasant surprise. Here’s what was said:

A very exciting ride into the past for me. The writing was so good I felt like I was in the story rather than just reading a book. The chaos of the battle scenes were so realistic, my pulse was racing and my heart as thumping in my chest. And like reality, when the shooting stops and the dust settles, you realize you weren’t brave you were just too busy to be scared. I very heartily recommend this book and this story.

Hell and Gone, like its sequel, Tier Zero, is available in e-book, paperback, and audiobook. the third book, False Flag, will hopefully be available in audiobook one of these days.