“Things I’ll never forget is the story of a young high school graduate in 1965 who faces being drafted into the Army or volunteering for the Marine Corps.
These are his memories of funny times, disgusting times and deadly times. The author kept a journal for an entire year; therefore many of the dates, times and places are accurate. The rest is based on memories that are forever tattooed on his brain.
This is not a pro-war book, nor is it anti-war. It is the true story of what the Marine Corps was like in the late 1960’s, when the country had a draft and five hundred thousand Americans were serving one year tours in battle-torn South East Asia.
If you served in Viet Nam you will want to compare your experience with the author’s. If you know someone who went to Viet Nam, you will want to read for yourself what it was like. If you lost a loved one or friend in the war, you will want to read this and share it with others.”- From the Publisher’s Summary
This is an OUTSTANDING book! James M. Dixon wrote it 50 years later because he was finally ready. He hoped it would be cathartic.
The book begins after he graduates high school. It progresses through him joining the Marines, boot camp, trainings (that bit with the Jeep and the beach…), and more. I learned so much. I expect you will as well.
He introduces us to a variety of people throughout. I had hoped he would tell us what happened to them. Rest assured, he does.
After I finish a book, I look for my next read immediately. Once I finished this one, I chose to sit with it. I wanted to ponder what I’d read. To consider it. To let it sink in. I did that for three solid days. It wasn’t until the fourth day that I finally decided to find another with the hope it would be at least half as fulfilling as this one.
I cannot recommend it enough!