Читать книгу Through the Valley - William Reeder - Страница 9

Acknowledgments

Joe Galloway for his early support as I began my writing.

Bob Mason, John Duffy, and all who pushed, encouraged, and harangued me over the years to complete this book.

Patience Mason for her help in editing my manuscript.

Tom McKenna and Jack Heslin for setting the larger historical context for the battles I fought in, Tom in his book Kontum: The Battle to Save South Vietnam, and Jack for his marvelous website that presents a collection of impressive firsthand accounts of the fights that made up the Battle of Kontum (www.thebattleofkontum.com).

Ke Nghiem and Xanh Nguyen for saving my life.

Mark Truhan for not taking my life (as beautiful as his intentions were).

Pink Panthers.

Spuds.

Hawk’s Heroes.

Colonel Morgan J. Cronin, my first battalion commander, for teaching me what it is to be a good officer.

Professors Norm Bender, Jim Sherow, and Harald Prins for helping open my mind to the intellectual wonder that surrounds us all.

Mrs. Taylor (Montrose Elementary, California) for giving me a glimpse of my own self-worth during a troubled youth; Coach Tiky Vasconcellos (Roosevelt High School, Hawaii) for teaching me to never quit; and Coach North (Palisades High School, California) for impressing me with the importance of team and how to be a “hard-nosed” competitor.

Boy Scouts of America for giving me skills in the outdoors, a love of hiking, and confidence in myself.

United States Army for showing me my destiny and giving me the tools to face it and survive.