Reader Letter Makes Me Shed a Tear

As an author, I occasionally get reader letters. They’re usually nice. Some are mean. Some make me really emotional. I read them all and try to respond to as many as I can.

Well, as I’m working on the first layout edits of the upcoming book, Bourbon Curious, I received a reader email about the book that essentially started my career. Camera Boy: An Army Journalist’s War in Iraq is no longer in print, but I have 300 copies sitting in my office and it will always be the most-important book of my life. My writing was so raw and unique that I can’t read the book without shedding tears. It’s largely because I’m taken back to a time when I was a lean, mean, photo taking, M-16-carrying American Army staff sergeant, and I’m reminded of the friends I lost and my personal struggles returning home.

Anyway, these letters mean a lot to authors. If you’ve read works that moved you, let the writer know. It will make his or her day! This letter regarding Camera Boy made me feel a little reminiscent:

….The stories were touching. I have read many “war stories”, this one seemed to be more personal than others.

I served four years in the Navy. I was on the USS Kitty Hawk from 1973 to 1977, I completed two deployments.

I have two sons that have served, one did 4 years in the Navy, completing two combat tours as a helicopter crew chief. ….

Your book is unique because I can feel your pride, and your disgust. My wife could never understand why my boys would barely speak when they were home on leave. I tried to reassure her that they were using coping mechanisms to mask some of their feelings. We noticed that the soldier would find gallows humor very appealing. ….

I’m going to send your book to my other son and I hope when he’s done reading it he will put it in their day room.

I hope you continue to heal. Please remember that there are millions of Americans that are grateful for the sacrifices you and others have made.

Sincerely,

Lou

I share this personal letter to remind myself that no matter how far I’ve come in my life, I started somewhere. We all start somewhere. For me, my current life began when I returned home from war 10 years ago and would eventually meet a beautiful Louisville woman on eHarmony.com. With her long black hair and shimmering brown eyes, Jaclyn somehow convinced me to move to Louisville, where my respect and love for bourbon began. Once I moved here, my career path was soon decided.

My first bourbon article was published in 2006, and I haven’t looked back.

I occasionally find myself so obsessed with landing the big bourbon story that I forget how I got here. So, thanks, Lou, for reminding me of my life before with your beautiful letter. I’m doing great, thanks for asking, and it’s largely because I’ve found my post-war self.

I’m not the man I was before Iraq.

I’m better.