From Disappointment, Wonderful News

Posted on September 10, 2021September 10, 2021 by Jerry Barnes

Lots of book news…

and a few “bumps” to share.

We finished book two and sent it to the publisher in early July. The work involved 1500 hours by yours truly, an additional 1500 hours or more from my dear wife Laura, and countless more from veterans who shared their stories. Writing books takes lots of research along with significant time from Andrea, our terrific editor in Tennessee.

Laura mentioned, “Jerry, this is a lot of work! “

I responded, “I know, honey, but the veterans who protect and defend the US give their time, sweat, and sometimes, their blood. We spend our time listening to them recount their memories, often through tears. I owe it to them to reflect on the nature of their suffering, anxiety, fears, and sacrifice in this writing. So, let’s press on.”

We did and were able to press the send button on the manuscript of 30 stories, covering a book of over 200 pages, the third week of July.

Three weeks later, our publisher emailed me with this alarming news. “Jerry, I will need to send the manuscript back to you. The material is just too graphic in spots for me (a dedicated Christian publisher) to bring to print. I am certainly not saying the book isn’t worth publishing. Quite the contrary. There are many publishers out there who will gladly publish this book. I can send you the names of two I know personally.”

When Laura and I got that news late on a Friday afternoon, I fluctuated between disappointment and sadness. After reflection and prayer over the weekend, I called my literary agent, Bob.

“Sorry, you got that news, Jerry. It happened to another author I represent a few years back. After reflection, we decided to take another look at the manuscript, re-worked the problematic areas, and re-submitted the manuscript to the publisher. The new manuscript was published.”, Bob recounted.

Armed with that terrific advice, I talked with my publisher on the following Tuesday morning, sharing the guidance of Bob, the literary agent.

“That’s good advice, Jerry. If you are willing to take another pass through the book, soften the areas of intense suffering and gore, and reflect a bit more on the faith emphasis of the veterans while in combat, I believe I can publish it.”

She also suggested we change the book’s title to So Help Me God, after the last four words of the oath of enlistment. “With those changes, I will be able to publish the book.”, She said.

Isn’t life amazing? After four days of feeling sorry for myself, I received good news. But that is not the most exciting news.

What she said after that news blew my 75-year-old mind.

“Jerry, I was looking at your website: FBL4U.com. I like what you are doing there. Let me take a look at some of the lessons. I may be interested in publishing them.”

So friends, in the middle of feeling sorry for myself, good news came. I encourage you to hang in there when you’re sick, tired, or sick and tired of being sick and tired. Keep working and clinging on to your dream.

We are working to revise the vital areas of the manuscript for So Help Me God without losing any of the meaning and return the updated manuscript to the publisher. Our goal is to have it ready before Christmas.

Stay tuned for the next update.

God Bless!

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If you enjoyed this blog, please like and share it with your friends on social media to help spread the word about Combat Survivor Heroes. A portion of all book proceeds is donated to local veteran causes.

Jerry’s second book, So Help Me God is being reviewed and edited for a late fall publishing. His third book of combat stories is to be published in the late fall of 2022 and will be entitled: Stories from the ‘Bone: B1B bomber.

If you are interested in a signed copy of our first published book of combat survivor stories, When Heaven Visits: dramatic accounts of military heroes, you can click the link below. For a discount on your purchase, leave a review of the book on Amazon, take a screenshot of your review, and email it to combatsurvivorheroes@gmail.com.

contact me

Details of the two wonderful veteran causes we support can be found on the Resources page of the Combat Survivor Heroes website.

Above: Jerry Barnes, Author of upcoming book, So Help Me God.

Thelma Lou

Posted on July 2, 2021July 2, 2021 by Jerry Barnes

Yes, I am writing about…

the actress who played Thelma Lou, Barney Fife’s girlfriend on the Andy Griffith show, also known as Mayberry, R.F.D. Still alive and in her 90s (ladies don’t want to give you their age), Thelma (Betty Lynn) now lives in Mount Airy, North Carolina, home of the Andy Griffith Museum. Betty moved to this charming town in western NC, leaving her home in Los Angeles for the “peace and quiet” of the North Carolina town which prompted Andy Griffith to model the Mayberry show after. To say that Betty is the queen of Mount Airy is an understatement.

Still active, (age is classified), Betty appears at the Andy Griffith Museum on Fridays for a few hours to meet fans of the show and sign photographs. A fan referred me to Betty who graciously chatted with me one Friday for about 30 minutes until “handlers” whisked her away for the autograph session. During our time together, Betty made one charming request: “Don’t show them a picture of me now, show them my young photograph”. She was and is charming and beautiful.

Betty broke into the entertainment business, in her home town of Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 17, singing in nightclubs of a family friend. USO representatives spotted her as an “entertainer of interest” and contracted her for East Coast/US hospitals to entertain troops wounded in WWII. When Betty turned 18, she joined a USO entertainment troop and entertained wounded troops for about six months. From there, her USO group began entertaining troops staging to be sent to the European War Zone.

Later, Betty and a guitar accompanist traveled to Burma to entertain troops in “safe areas”, where the British and US troops were driving out the Japanese. It was here that Betty was given a fully loaded weapon to carry.

I’ve teased you enough. Betty’s story will appear in our next book, Angels on the Battlefield, expected to release in the fall of ’21.

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If you enjoyed this blog, please like and share it with your friends on social media to help spread the word about Combat Survivor Heroes. *A portion of all book profits is donated to local veteran causes.

Be among the first 1,000 people to receive an advanced, signed copy of Angels on the Battlefield. You can contact me for details by clicking the button below.

If you are interested in a signed copy of our first published book of combat survivor stories, When Heaven Visits: dramatic accounts of military heroes, you can also click the link below. For a discount on your purchase, leave a review of the book on Amazon, take a screenshot of your review, and email it to combatsurvivorheroes@gmail.com.

contact me

*Details of the two wonderful veteran causes we support can be found under the Resources tab of the Combat Survivor Heroes website.

Above: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) during her time serving in the USO

The Face of a Hero

Posted on March 19, 2021March 26, 2021 by Jerry Barnes

Leo LeCasse…

is a true American hero. We write about this terrific man in our next book, Angels on the Battlefield. Shot down three times, while flying B17s over the combat zones of Europe, Leo escaped all three times.

The ability to speak “passable French”, along with English, helped him as he ran for his life, over days, to find friendly territory.

“On one occasion, German boots came within six feet or so of my outstretched hand”, Leo shares in the book. Leo flew thirty-six missions over active combat zones.

Read more about Leo when our second book publishes soon.

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Be among the first 100 people to receive an advanced, signed copy of Angels on the Battlefield. You can contact me for details by clicking the button below.

If you are interested in a signed copy of our first published book of combat survivor stories, When Heaven Visits: dramatic accounts of military heroes*, you can also click the link below.

*For a discount on your purchase, leave a review of the book on Amazon, take a screenshot of your review, and email it to combatsurvivorheroes@gmail.com.

contact me

Details of the two wonderful veteran causes we support can be found under the Resources page of the Combat Survivor Heroes website.

Above: American hero, Leo LeCasse

Humble Hero

Posted on February 26, 2021February 26, 2021 by Jerry Barnes

Douglas and Gloria…

are long-time, childhood friends of mine. We attended the same school in the Virginia town of McKenney and attended the same Baptist Church. Like your author and his dear wife, Doug and Gloria have been married for more than fifty years.

While visiting together one Sunday morning after church Gloria and I were chatting when the subject of the next book of combat survivor stories came up. “When do you expect to complete the next book?” Gloria asked me.

“I am about half done with the thirty stories and hope to finish in the next six months or so”, I replied.

Gloria turned, looked in Douglas’ face, and said: “Honey, you really ought to tell Jerry your story. I know it is painful for you, but the kids and grandkids need to know what Papaw did in the war”.

Already knowing that Douglas did not want to relive his painful memories of combat service in Vietnam, I looked at Douglas who quietly said: “Jerry, when you have a chance, please stop by the house and I will share the stories I have been holding so long”.

That painful story of combat, fear of injury, and death, along with the heart-wrenching loss of a dear friend, is entitled, Humble Hero. It will appear in our next book: Angels on the Battlefield.

God Bless you both, Doug and Gloria. It is my privilege and honor to write your account.

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If you know a veteran who would like to share their story with me for a future book, ask them to visit the contact page of my website or click the button below.

Be among the first 1,000 people to receive an advanced, signed copy of Angels on the Battlefield. You can contact me for details by clicking the button below.

You can also use the link below to order a signed copy of my first published book of combat survivor stories When Heaven Visits: dramatic accounts of military heroes. For a discount on your purchase, leave a review of the book on Amazon, take a screenshot of your review, and email it to combatsurvivorheroes@gmail.com.

contact me

Details of the two wonderful veteran causes we support can be found under the Resources page of the Combat Survivor Heroes website.

Cover Image: Douglas and Gloria. Above: Author, Jerry Barnes and wife Laura.

Behind the Story: Shane and Brandon

Posted on February 10, 2021February 10, 2021 by Jerry Barnes

As he walked…

into the Wendy’s restaurant, it didn’t take long to realize: this dude is quite a character. Everyone working in the restaurant began to smile as Shane, wearing a US Marine hat strolled to the counter and ordered. Friendly and gregarious, smiles abounded on the faces of the workers.

Clearly, he was a “regular” and favorite of the employees. I noticed a slight limp as Shane made his way to a nearby table, carefully carrying his hamburger, fries, and coke. Shane turned to me and asked, “how are you, sir? Are you from around here?”.

“Well, I am a Virginian,” I said, “My wife and I are heading toward our home in Botetourt.”

“How about that,” he said. “I am originally from West Virginia. The wife and I retired here in Farmville years ago.”.

I noticed Shane’s right leg was stretched out a bit as if he was nursing a war injury. “Where did you serve in Vietnam?”, I asked. After 20 minutes of swapping stories, I noticed tears welling up in his eyes. Words flowed freely from this new friend.

“Well, I served in several spots. Most of the action I faced occurred near Liberty Bridge. By far, the toughest night of my life, occurred when a battalion of over 500 Viet Cong suicide soldiers attacked our little marine unit of 120. At eighteen years old, convinced I was going to die, I fought continuously for over four hours. Can’t imagine how many people I killed.”

I knew this story had to be told. I mentioned that I too was a veteran, as well as an author of combat survivor stories, and asked if he would be interested in sharing his story with me for an upcoming book.

“I would sure consider it,” he responded, giving me his phone number. “Might even be able to convince my son to give you his story also. He served in Iraq for three tours and fought in the battle for Fallujah, Iraq. He doesn’t want to share much. It may take some doing to get him to talk.” We left it at that, shook hands, and parted.

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I met Shane, his son Brandon, and the family matriarch, Elizabeth, who “hung the moon” in the words of Shane. She is the energy for the entire family, clearly adored by both dad and son. Brandon, with his arms around his mom, reluctantly shared his story. Elizabeth even talked Brandon into giving me a poem he wrote while in the combat zone. Powerful! Powerful!

After interviewing the Seaborne Marines, and speaking with me, the local newspaper in Farmville, VA wrote a feature story on these two. Brandon and Shane, shared freely with the reporter, recounting details of their combat. I am privileged to call these two “friends for life” and glad to be a small part of sharing this back story with each of you.

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If you know a veteran who would like to share their story with me for a future book, just ask them to visit the contact page of my website, or click the button below.

Be among the first 1,000 people to receive an advanced, signed copy of Angels on the Battlefield. You can contact me for details by clicking the button below.

You can also use the link below If you would like a signed copy of my first published book of combat survivor stories When Heaven Visits: dramatic accounts of military heroes. For a discount on your purchase, leave a review of the book on Amazon, take a screenshot of your review, and email it to combatsurvivorheroes@gmail.com.

contact me

Details of the two wonderful veteran causes we support can be found under the Resources page of the Combat Survivor Heroes website.

Cover Image: Shane and wife, Elizabeth. Above: Brandon and Mom, Elizabeth.