G.I. Joe & Lillie: Remembering a Life of Love and Loyalty

Never before has a book touched me the way this one has. Before I was finished reading I felt like part of the family. When reading their story you just fall in love with them, I laughed with them, and yes I cried like a baby too. The book also comes with a cd of the song GI Joe and Lillie and now that I have read the book the song seems more personal and even more beautiful than it was before. And to Joseph Bonsall, I thank you for sharing this wonderfull story of love and the struggles of an American soldier with the rest of us . JOE and LILLIE must be so very proud of you.

Wow... not only is Joe Bonsall a great songwriter, and one of the most legendary and talented voices in American music (along with the rest of his group, The Oak Ridge Boys), AND a Philly boy, he has now emerged as one hell of a storyteller! "G.I. Joe & Lillie" is not some sappy, patriotic whitewash written by an adoring son (even though it's obvious while reading this book that Joe rightfully does adore his parents). This is a very honest and straightforward account of the trials and tribulations of one W.W.II couple in their struggle to raise a family more functional than the ones they had both left behind whilst trying to stay one step ahead of the haunting ghosts of the war. I will not ruin it for you by revealing whether or not they emerge victorious. Read this warm and inspiring book to find out. You will be very glad you did. This isn't just the story of one man's parents. It's a window into the monumental sacrifice of a whole generation. It isn't just a love story, either. It's a testament to what steadfast love and faith can achieve for anyone willing to work and scratch for it. I'm sure that many of those born to this amazing generation will feel that they are reading about their own parents, I know that I sure did. Well done, Joe... Lillie must be even more proud of you than she already was! Jack McTamney www.jackmctamney.com

Forget about this being a war book. It describes the war some, but this is a book dealing with relationships-- & how it does! It's one of the best books I've read that does so, & I've given several copies away. This is a book that we all should read, as it's a terrific tale of The Greatest Generation, of whom we should all be proud. It would make a terrific film, but only G.I. Joe & Lillie could play G.I. Joe & Lillie.

I have never been a reader of war stories, nor did I know a lot about WWII. However, this book manages to overview the Second Great War and its effect on the U.S., while weaving in a story of love and faith.Bonsall knows his characters well, because it's his parents' story. His writing is simple yet passionate. A quick read - that you will never forget. The book offers inspiration for the times we live in today.

When it is dark and stormy, nothing is more comforting than to be cocooned in a homemade quilt. A tapestry rich in tradition and assembled with love, a kaleidoscope of patterns and colors, it is an American art form. Wrapped in its warm embrace, its fabric surrounds us and soothes our spirits. By extension, the spirit of America is a tapestry woven by the stories of its people. Each person; each man, woman and child, has a chance to mold this nation. Some become distinguished men and women and make monumental contributions to government, the arts, and business. Others become scourges of society. Most will fall somewhere in between, neither famous nor infamous. But they build lives and legacies for themselves and for the generations that follow them. They are ordinary people who sometimes do extraordinary things. They face adversity and challenges and find a way to overcome them. Their faith in God is the cornerstone of their existence. They raise their children to be honest and to reach for the stars. They are far from perfect, but they do the best they can with what they have been given. And they love each other, no matter what. They are the threads that form the fabrics that produce the patterns of our national tapestry. GI Joe and Lillie are two of those threads. They represent, even in their imperfections, all that is good and right about our country; faith, honor, strength, values, and dreams. Their story, so eloquently chronicled, mirrors many of our own narratives. The details may be different, the patterns and colors may not be the same, but the fabric of their lives, the values that brought them through the rough times, are universal to most of us. And in today's times, when it is dark and stormy, and we need to feel protected, or even just encouraged, we need only wrap ourselves tightly in the legacy they helped create. Their "quilt" warms the heart, and yes, soothes the spirit, for it is rich in tradition and assembled with love. You will laugh and you will cry, but mostly you will be inspired and grateful for this story.