Dearest Angel

I chuckles, I laughed! I Cried! You see I knew how the book would end. Having met John only a month or so before his death, I wrote home to my folks, "why do the GOOD ones always get it?" I guess we had him pegged right, a true gentleman, and an officer who stuck up for his men. Had he not met death at that time I understand he would have become our team leader in Vietnam, only it was not to be. This book was finely written, from the heart, that's easy to tell. I couldn't put it down, reading it in one session though I have to admit, knowing how it ended, I read the last chapters first.An interesting story in the lives of two young people as you follow them from meeting in Japan, courtship and the unusual circumstances surrounding their wedding in Las Vegas. God was truly in their lives, as they asked for his direction and put their trust in Him.I would truly love to make contact with the author and share a few things with her. I have a slide of John sitting on the fender of one of our jeeps as we waited to convoy off to Cu Chi, and he is striking a pose so similar to the picture on the cover jacket.Again, a great book, about someone I too wish I'd had a chance to get to know better!

I read this book aloud to my husband and sons. Many times I choked my way through John's letters. I've known of John & Elaine's story for many years--you see, Elaine is my husband's aunt--yet reading the entire story, the heartwrenching struggles of each of these people, the deep love they shared, reached straight into my heart. As a wife, I ached with Elaine's story of waiting at home and cherishing every word of a loving husband's letters. At the same time, I found John's letters, letters of love and devotion and deep contemplations of war and its effects, very moving. The devotion to the Lord Jesus is evident throughout the book--both had hearts for serving Him. Also, the message of salvation is given clearly in this book--a book that can bless veterans and non-veterans alike.

Dearest Angel is a heart-felt recollection of good times and bad times associated with the Vietnam war. It's written by a soldier's wife and includes a collection of personal letters she received while John was in Vietnam. It describes their hopes and dreams of reuniting and building their future upon his return. It describes John's struggle with leading men into war and prayers for their safety and hope for their souls. Once you pick up this book, you won't want to put it down.

I couldn't put the book down; I read it in one sitting. I was part of the Vietnam era, and lost lots of high school friends to that war. I had a husband who was in Vietnam and made it home, but I remember R & R and counting off the days. I remember waiting for letters, and writing letters. I think that even though readers may not have been part of that time in history, they can relate to this book because of fathers, or uncles, or neighbors, or friends that experienced the war. This book took it a step further because it was written from the wife's perspective -- the years following the end of the war and life without her soldier. It was very touching to be privy to a soldier's deepest thoughts; revealing to share the failures and frustrations of the wife left behind; helpful to understand a part of American history; and healing to know you are never alone.