Overview

The death of a soldier, the end of a life, is the beginning of a story. Across Iraq and Afghanistan, on remote forward observation bases and combat outposts, American soldiers depended on each other. Thrown together, they breathed the same air, shared the same dreams of home, faced the same enemy. Many, too many, lived shortened lives. In Wisconsin on an early autumn morning, Kermit Hugo hears a knock, peers through a window, see soldiers wearing dress blue uniforms standing at his front door . . . Marine Sergeant Bob Kugler, serving in Iraq just a few miles from his brother Mike, collapses at the news-Mike has been killed . . . On a summer day in California, Misty Herrera Fuoco watches the news, wonders if her sister, Marine Sergeant Nicole Gee, survived the suicide bomber's attack at Hamid Karzai airport . . . Colleen Whipple from Oklahoma, and Helen Keiser-Pedersen from Connecticut. They watch soldiers walk toward them, their sons killed side by side in the same attack in the mountains of Afghanistan . . . A helicopter shot down in Afghanistan, the 38 men, and a military combat canine aboard, are killed. Navy SEAL Commander Mark Oz delivers the news to Patricia Parry, Brian her son, is one of the 38 . . . When a son or daughter, sister, brother, husband, wife, mother or father is in the military, the whole family is too. That's the way it works. Sacrifice shares the stories of people who gave us those soldiers.

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9781957780030

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Reviews

"News stories of American military lost or injured in service of our Country are often fleeting, replaced within days by newer news stories. It is our responsibility as individuals to remember, and honor the service and sacrifice of our servicemembers and civilian contractors as well as their families, loved ones, friends, long after the news stories end. Ron Farina's latest book Sacrifice accompanies the reader through these sacrifices in a way that is emotional, educational, and most importantly respectful. Farina's storytelling provides an emotional look into the specific acts of sacrifice-using each person's unique perspective to tell their stories. As an RN with the Fisher House of Boston I have yet to read a book that relays the stories of sacrifice we hear about each day as accurately as Sacrifice does. Sacrifice is, no doubt, a must read for each and every American! -Abigail Deluca, MHS, BSN, RN Director of Operations, Fisher House of Boston In Sacrifice: the Final Chapter, Ron Farina's Vietnam war experience enables him to capture the essence of military service and sacrifice, not only by these inspirational men and women warriors, but also by the remarkable people left behind. Sacrifice profiles courageous Gold Star family members and friends caught in the wake of untimely and tragic loss, left to endure countless unanswered questions, unfilled dreams, and an unfathomable range of emotions. I know two of the families profiled in this book, Helen Keiser-Pedersen, her husband Bob, and Pat and Michael Parry. Overcoming their own grief, they vowed ""to do good"" in the name of their sons, Andrew and Brian. Helen and Bob established APK Charities in memory of Andrew. Pat and Michael established a scholarship at Brian's alma mater, Norwich University, donating over $2 million in scholarships and gifts. These are just two examples of the caliber of the families and friends of the fallen. I found the book incredible. Having served on the ground during combat operations in Afghanistan, many topics hit very close to home. Our country must always honor and remember these true patriots, and their loved ones, lost in service and defense of our great nation. -Brigadier Gen. Ron Welch (retd.), US Army Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran Vivid, haunting, and profoundly moving. Ron Farina's eloquent, captivating book carries the reader from the dark heart of the battlefield to the harrowing challenges friends and family encounter when their beloved one doesn't make it home. These heroes sacrificed their lives, but they are not dead. They have been and their existence is anchored in the meta-physical being. A comforting thought. This is writing so powerful that it steals your breath. A great read. -Dr. Viscount Mark Eyskens, Minister of State, fmr. prime minister of Belgium"

Author Information

"Ron Farina is the author of three books, At the Altar of the Past, Out of the Shadows: Voices of American Women Soldiers, and Who Will Have My Back: Stories of Love and Care for Those Who Have Served and Sacrificed. Other works include ""Keeping Promises"" and ""War Torn,"" personal essays about the human cost of war. In 2021 he was awarded the AWP Intro Award for fiction, and The Society of Professional Journalists, Connecticut Chapter first place award for general column magazine feature, for the essay ""War Torn."" He holds a BA in Creative Writing from Central Connecticut State University, and an MFA from Western Connecticut State University. He served in Vietnam in 1966 and 1967. He lives in Connecticut with his wife and two Golden Retrievers, Henry and Preacher."

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