Patriot Dreams: The Murder of Colonel Rich Higgins

I remember reading about the murder of Col. Higgens and thinking at the time how awful and what risks the military took when they served in foreign countries. And, not to mention, how unappreciated they are. And, those who served or serve, can't depend on the support of those who sent them if something goes wrong. Patriot Dreams is a must read book. In fact, if the active military of all the services had any sense, they would jump all over Patriot Dreams for the families and make it standard reading; unfortunately, those in charge rarely see the obvious. Military families sacrifice in enormous ways and I often wonder why they choose to do it. And, Colonel Higgens is an example of what happens when a military man leaves for work in the morning and does not return. Soldiers, wives and families understand this but few in the civilian populace do. This is a wonderful book. Colonel Higgens himself is quite the inspiration. Then Lieutenant Higgins served in Vietnam in 1968 with C Company, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines as a rifle platoon platoon leader. This was a hard time in Vietnam and fighting was fierce as this was the year of the infamous TET offensive. Colonel Higgens was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat 'V' for heroism. It probably should have been much higher. I give him the Congressional Medal of Honor. Captain Higgins returned to Vietnam in 1972 as an Infantry Battalion Advisor to the Vietnamese Marine Corps and then as a rifle company commander with B Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines. By anyone's standards, Rich Higgens is a hero. Equally as important is the incredible devotion that his wife Robin had to him, both in life and in death. She did as a minimum double duty as a wife and fellow Marine. Wow! Semper Fi! This is a book that tells about it, the bureaucracy, the stupidity of government bureaurcrats, and the feelings of abandonment of good men. Every Vietnam vet can empathize with her. Many who gave their all to the country, to include their families, have experienced the feelings created by the government of having been used up and then tossed aside. Don't miss this reading and if you know someone in the military, get Patriot Dreams to them.

Pulled in different directions by her love for her husband, her religion, her duty as a Marine, and her loyalty to her country, Robin Higgins could have been torn apart; but she's too strong for that. Instead, she became a hero, in the truest sense of the word.I've known many Marines whose chests were festooned with medals for bravery under fire. The Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart are medals awarded to Marines who served "above and beyond the call of duty." We call them heroes. All Robin Higgins got for her service was a broken heart, but she is the bravest Marine I have ever known.Her story is a love story; of a love tested in the cruelest way. Yet, through it all her love remains strong and true; for the man of her dreams and the country she served. Shes pulls few punches in describing her in-action on the part of her country's government. She fought a futile battle to save her husband.Robin Higgins reveals with great tenderness a love that continues to this day. Rich Higgins may have died, but the love of this brave woman for him lives on in the pages of "Patriot Dreams." It's a love meant for sharing. Share her dreams.Colonel Fred Peck, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired

It is a book about Marines. Its setting is in a scenario of tragedy for our nation, for its corps of Marines, for two of those in the ranks of the Corps, and for a man and woman bonded to each other not only through the ties of marriage, but equally strong, through the mystical ties that bind those who are Marines to each other, and to our Corps.I knew Col Rich Higgins, and I know LtCol Robin Higgins. I lived through some of the times recounted by Robin in this book; and I was privileged, certainly by tenure of office, but also by the bonds of the Corps, to walk behind Col Higgins as he came home to Andrews Air Force Base on 30 December 1991.On another occasion of the same era, equally sad, as he viewed the flag-draped caskets of Marines killed in the terrorist bombing of a Marine barracks in the same country in which Rich Higgins would be taken, the Marine Commandant of that moment, General P.X. Kelley, voiced the question, "Lord, where do we get such men?" Rich and Robin Higgins were profound evidence, a decade later, that from wherever that might be, the lines still ran true.Even in the sadness and frustrations in the loss of Rich Higgins, there was given a strength to the American character, on his part, but more especially, on the part of a devoted wife and friend, and also a fellow Marine, Robin. And there comes to each of us privileged to call ourselves "Marine" beside them, a great sense of pride in what they were, are, and will always be to America, and to its Corps of United States Marines.

This is a story about a courageous woman torn mercilessly between her love for her hostage husband and her love and duty to her country. Above all, this is a love story and tragedy of epic proportions...involving not one American hero, but two. In her unrelenting efforts to free her husband from the bonds of terrorists, Robin Higgins went through the Halls of Power, confronting presidents and kings, winding through mazes of red tape, promises, and stone walls. At the same time, as a Marine Corps officer, loyal to her leaders and her country, she had to conduct herself with dignity and grace. Never once did she waver--even in the maddening days following the brutal murder of Colonel "Rich" Higgins. This book is her story...and his...and in gripping detail, Robin recounts this Patriot story. The reader will find it quite difficult to finish this book without anger at the feeble efforts to free the colonel, and without being in awe of the courage of Robin Higgins--a true patriot and heroine.

Robin Higgins is the living, breathing image of courage, honor and dignity. Her almost unbelievable story will enlighten, enrage and make you so mad, you will want to spit, scream and shriek at the United Nations and our U.S. government. Don't deprive yourself. Read it