“Just stay alive for the first 120 hours and then you’ve got it made…”
Imagine if those were the first words you heard when you landed in a foreign country. But that’s the setup for a riveting look at the war in Vietnam.
Much time has passed since the disastrous US involvement there, but stories continue to be told about that unnecessary war – and the impact it had on the soldiers who were sent there…
My “Wednesday Bookmobile” has a new book, being released in twelve chapters, that tells the story of the people who fought in the war and the lasting impact it has had on them.
Here is how Amazon describes “Dying To Fly”:
Showered with debris and body parts as the row of soldiers in front of him on his transport plane is taken out by a rocket, Lt. Danny Hellberg wonders if following his flight instructor’s advice for Danny’s tour in Vietnam is going to be harder than he thought. Things look up after arrival to the base and the officer’s club, then an invitation to the hottest nightspot in Saigon. That is, until a terrorist attack renders the floating restaurant and nightclub a literal hot spot.
Before he can recover from his brush with death, he is unceremoniously sent on his first mission as an assault helicopter pilot. No check out, no preparation, in the middle of the night — what could go wrong? Death, distress, diabolical moles, and a smart-ass reporter from Texas (who also happens to be a senator’s daughter) make Lt. Hellberg wonder if he is flying to die or ‘Dying to Fly’.
“Dying to Fly” is a 12-episode serial, each being released separately at a very low price on kindle.
Author Jerome Gladysz served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). For his service he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Air Medal with 24 oak leaf clusters. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from John Carroll University, and an Executive Master of Business Administration from Texas Christian University.
“Dying To Fly” captures the everyday life of a soldier in Vietnam during this chaotic time. As the Author’s daughter told me:
“I truly think that all of our dads have been blessed with exceptionally kind hearts and so much grit which is hard to come by these days. He has worked tirelessly on this book! Dad has suffered with so much PTSD, writing the book really brought a lot of those memories back for him. I would accompany him when he spoke to a group to help him finish his speech because his tears did not allow him to finish on his own.”
Gladysz is my wife’s Uncle, a terrific person who has put his heart and soul into the writing of this book, so that we could all understand the horrors of war.
My “Wednesday Bookmobile” has featured memoirs like this, as well as many others…
Books are permanent reminders of the world we live in, real or imagined…click here to see some of the books and Authors who have had a lasting influence on me:
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Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite books – and if you like this story, please share on social media! Thanks!
Categories: Art, Books / Media, Memoirs, Politics
johnrieber 
How can I save this as a PDF?
What is a URL?
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You should open the story, which I will include again here, and then “Save as PDF” on your computer…that usually will capture all of it. Here is the link: https://johnrieber.com/2020/09/30/dying-to-fly-this-wednesday-bookmobile-has-a-harrowing-vietnam-story-told-in-twelve-parts/
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John, a great blog — thanks
what is a URL
I entered my website address & it did not like it
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This hits pretty close to home, John. Thank you!
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Thanks, it was a life-altering experience for him, which took decades to overcome and write about. Thank you for reading!
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I bet it was! Always a pleasure to read your posts, John.
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Thankyou for your support it is much appreciated…same to you as well!
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You’re welcome, John!
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I’m sure this must be an intense series from someone who was there. How cool you are related
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Truthfully, I’m thinking this is the kind of book that should be read by every highschooler in the country. Then perhaps they’d understand more what war is really like. Your uncle’s book looks really well done.
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Thankyou…he struggled with telling the story for decades before coming to grips with it…thank you for reading the story.
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The more I read about and research war, the more awful it becomes. Young men (and some women now) are often completely ignorant about the realities of war when they are drafted.they see it as an adventure and a challenge.
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Robbie, that is so true…and the wars are pointless and change nothing in the long run…it’s the worst of human nature on display
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That’s an interesting family connection with that awful war, John. Good luck to Alex’s uncle with his new memoirs.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thanks Pete…he’s been carrying it inside for decades and it has been cathartic. Thanks for reading the post, always great to hear from you!
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