The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was created in 1933 through an Act of Congress, and its legacy continues today, ninety years later. TVA became a key defense contractor for the War Department during World War II generating an enormous amount of hydroelectric power to manufacture aluminum for aircraft and provided a large portion of the electricity used to develop components for the atomic bomb. Additionally, TVA manufactured the chemicals used in incendiary bombs, artillery munitions, nerve agents, and synthetic rubber. TVA transformed the Tennessee River into a navigable waterway, and improved water transportation of war supplies and equipment. TVA helped to feed the military through crop enhancing fertilizers and assisted in the development of a food dehydration process. Unfortunately, because of its vital operations, TVA received very little publicity and therefore its contribution to the war is generally misunderstood and underappreciated. TVA was so instrumental in helping the U.S. win WWII the War Department proclaimed TVA as their "Secret Weapon," and the Federal Power Commission stated the U.S. would have been less prepared to fight a war without it. Those are pretty impressive statements., This book is a consolidated snapshot of those TVA activities, providing much more detail, and trivia, about TVA’s war work than is commonly known. It is available through online bookstores.

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THIS TROUBLED GROUND is based on the author's assignment at Dover AFB and two Afghanistan deployments. It offers deep insight into what it was like being on the ramp at Dover for the return of more than 100 fallen American heroes. It documents what it was like to serve in Afghanistan, and to what lengths a mother will go for answers about the combat death of her Marine Corps son. For a personalized/signed copy of THIS TROUBLED GROUND, please visit my website and leave a message. Tell me about your military service and I'll respond with information on how to get the book from me. lescarroll.com

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Growing up in the legendary town of Mayberry and in Andy's neighborhood, ( Mt. Airy, NC ), These books have a taste of the humor that was commonplace on the TV show Put yourself in the shoes of a young man from a Small Town, in the USA, who found himself in the middle of the Vietnam War in the jungles & rice paddies of the Mekong Delta region... Relive his experience as an American soldier in the years 1968 and 1969 with his account of his time spent in Vietnam... A veteran of the United States Army serving in 6th/31st, 9th Infantry Division,...Forrest Gump's Division... During his service, he was promoted to sergeant and squad leader, in addition to being awarded two Bronze Star Medals, four Air Medals, and numerous other awards.

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In 1946 the U.S. DoD built a nuclear special weapons storage site in the Manzano Mountains of Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more than 20 years, Manzano served as a maintenance and storage site for some of the most destructive weapons ever created. This book tells part of the story of Manzano and shares experiences of many of the personnel who were stationed there including: nuclear weapons accidents, aircraft crashes, UFO/UAP sightings, almost shooting down a US helicopter to protect a nuclear weapon, and a radiation demonstration called “tickling the tiger’s tail.” Manzano fulfilled its mission from 1950 until 1971 when it was merged into Kirtland AFB, and in 1992, it was decommissioned and rendered “abandoned in place.” The book closes with a chapter about “what’s going on behind those security fences today?” The book is available through Amazon Books, B&N, BAM and Google Play.

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A Soldier’s Heart is a moving and expansive memoir by Vietnam Veteran Ray Gauvin. The story takes us from the French Ghetto of Presque Isle, Maine, and the descendants of the Acadians, to military bases all over the country, and to Vietnam and back. Gauvin takes an unflinching look at life on the ground in Saigon and the horrors of the unusual and classified military posting of WDMET. The ingenuity and work ethic he built to help support his family as a kid got him through both the loss of his father and the war. But afterwards, pushing himself to the edge with striving and responsibility became a compulsion that staved off the nightmare. ​ Silent about the classified mission of WDMET, even to his family, Gauvin wrestled on his own with the effects of Agent Orange and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He became an entrepreneur, a businessman, and a philanthropist, but PTSD kept him embroiled in an internal battle between his obsession to work, his drive for success, a search for peace of mind, and thoughts of suicide. But after fifty years of running from the past, he turned about-face, and began the journey of remembering and healing. ​​This book is a must read for anyone seeking an inside look at one man’s road to Vietnam, and WDMET. It also gives incredible insight into the history of francophone communities in Northern Maine.

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Nonfiction story of my 18 months in SouthVietnam

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Military service is an experience that cuts across the usual cliches and platitudes. The stories are unique and, at times, complex. Yet, their lessons continue to visit and inform us long after our time in uniform is over. God knows I miss those days.

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One man's tale of love, war and recovery. The year is 1971 and with the war raging in Vietnam a young high school graduate, Luke Barnes, figures with a draft number of 11 he may as well join up and get his choice of service—the Air Force. His selects the AFSC of 'Combat Controller' looks daring and exciting, little does he know it would be a fateful choice. In the month before Basic training he idyllically passes the time with his steady high school sweetheart. Both are full of life, and at the same time a bit melancholy about what the future holds for them both during Luke's highly likely deployment to Southeast Asia. It Does Mean Something...A novel of Love during the Vietnam War, an Empty Homecoming, and recovery was written by a veteran of this era taking from his personal experiences to weave a moving and true-to-life story of the Vietnam experience at the very end of the conflict and during the chaotic final withdrawl from Saigon.

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During the pandemic and my stay-at-home-time I wrote a book. It is a collection of short stories of soldiers and events about my time in the service and the year serving my country in Vietnam, 1965-67. It is called, "Just a Kid from Swampoodle to Vietnam". It is a fast read with humor. This book has good reviews and a 5-star rating, It is available for sale on amazon.com. This book would make a good Christmas gift for a loved one.

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This book is about courageous individuals of history. Jesus is the greatest of all time. There are poems about Jesus love, grace, and mercy toward mankind. Others featured are Jimi Hendrix his rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock, Emmitt Till, Rosa Parks righteous act of freedom, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and much, more. These poems are in a rhythmic pattern's or forms.

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This is a magazine style version... Jim Akers is a decorated combat Vietnam Veteran, awarded two Bronze Star medals , numerous other medals and citations while serving in the 9th Infantry Division in the Vietnam war from 1968 through 1969, also a retired professional photographer from Mt. Airy, North Carolina, also known as (Mayberry) Andy Griffith's hometown as well.. Jim wrote his first book, One Soldiers Story in 2012 basically to leave a record or legacy for his children and grandchildren a small part of his history and show the horrible un-glamorous aspects of war. Later that same year, he wrote a more in depth version called Soldiers Story with additional stories and more pictures he made while in Vietnam. By then the writing bug had bitten and he wrote a bitter sweet but humorous book about his two marriages to the same woman during his eventful life

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Fond memories growing up in the legendary small town of Mayberry, ( Mt. Airy, NC ) Andy Griffith's home town and also the home town of Donna Fargo and Tommy Jarrell. Author Jim Akers, takes you on a journey as a child and young man headed to Vietnam and beyond. Put yourself in the shoes of a young man from Small Town, USA, who found himself in the middle of the Vietnam War. Relive his experience as an American soldier in the years 1968 and 1969 with his account of his time spent in Vietnam. Find out what it was like in the day-to-day life of a soldier in the Vietnam War. The book begins with his experiences in training, taking you through his service in Ft. Bragg, Ft Polk, Vietnam, Hawaii and Ft. Lewis. You will find yourself captivated by the missions he performed in the jungles of South Vietnam

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After arriving in Vietnam, as very young soldiers we decided to make the most of this life and death situation. Engaging the enemy almost on a daily basis, there were still some normal times. These pictures depict mostly these " normal times ". The liberal media at the time of the Vietnam War would have everyone believe that we were nothing more than blood thirsty thugs, baby killers, rapists and murderers. This could not be further from the truth as these pictures will try to show. I served in 3rd platoon, Charlie Company, 6th of the 31st, 9th Infantry Division, also known as the Forrest Gump division, from October 1968 through August 1969… The Pictures selected are forty-four years old. These are the ones that survived many moves and even a house fire! I have restored them the best I could. They are the best quality possible. 152 Pictures

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A young, small town, mans account of his routine daily missions as an Infantry soldier during his tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Serving in Charlie Company, 6th/31st, 9th Infantry Division in 1968 until the first withdrawel of American troops in early August 1969

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This book of 25 bedtime stories (an Advent Calendar storybook) tells the story of six-year-old Belinda whose mom is deployed. While she's away, Mom tasks her daughter with a job worthy of a detective: figure out what it is that makes it Christmas. Every day, Belinda looks for clues to share with her mom on Skype or in a letter. Maybe Christmas is about the tree. Or the reindeer. Or snowmen. Armed only with a crayon, she is up to the challenge, and her dad puts the drawings on the wall of their kitchen, creating a colorful Advent Calendar that's uniquely their own. While Belinda hopes that solving the mystery will bring her mom home early, she knows for sure that it will make her smile. And she has a secret resource to help her when she's missing her mom - or looking for more clues! She calls Him "Howard" - as in "Howard be Thy Name." Howard provides a presence as the little girl hopes and prays for her mom to come home soon. Her journey from the snowman to the manger as she thinks about what Christmas means is one that she can share with her mom - even if they are far apart. The song that tracks Belinda's journey is called "Finding Christmas." Music and lyrics by the author of the book. It's available for listening at https://barbaraescher.hearnow.com/ The book is available at https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+girl+who+found+christmas The author has looked for Christmas books for military families and found none. She hopes that this book will enable children to enjoy both the traditional Christmas and the spiritual one. And provide laughter, warmth, and connection to families, whether at home or apart. A copy is in the library at the VA Hospital in Tampa.

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