Two excerpts from my current work-in-progress, a memoir entitled Losing Francis: One Family’s Journey through
a Decade of American War, have recently appeared on-line and in print. In addition, proceeds from
the sale of two previously published books will be donated to the Kansas City
VA Medical Center in Francis’s memory.
“Leavenworth,” which explores the setting and history of Leavenworth National
Cemetery, where Francis rests, appears in the Fall 2013 issue of Rathalla Review and is available on-line
for free here:
“Remedial Army,” which describes Francis’s letters from Basic
Training at Fort Benning, appears in the Spring 2014 issue of New Plains Review. Here’s a brief
excerpt:
He
wore a short-sleeve dress shirt, pressed olive-green slacks, and a cadet cap.
Our photos reveal his misgivings about being seen in this outfit, which he wore
for the first time that day, a requirement of the weekend pass. His belt buckle
is askew and his shirt partly untucked in one picture. The confidence he’d
enjoyed for weeks on Sand Hill in workout gear or BDUs was now diluted by his
first venture onto the main post in a blank uniform, devoid of color or rank—so
obviously a trainee that he made an easy target even for a clerk in the
commissary, who treated him with disdain and a clear sense of impunity about
doing so as he got fitted for boots.
“Remedial Army” is only available in print and can be ordered here:
In addition to these recent articles, proceeds from the sale
of Where the Wind Blew: A Novel and American Holidays (a short story
collection self-published under the pseudonym Rob Driscoll) will be donated to
The Francis D. Sommer Memorial Fund. To support the cause of assisting homeless veterans, purchase of these books only through Tallgrass Books at
Amazon.
Here are the links:
(Remember--please place your order only through Tallgrass Books
to ensure that your donation reaches the Francis D. Sommer Memorial Fund)
Thank you for remembering Francis
and for all you do to support our homeless and needy veterans!
RFS
