Toy Soldier: Sergeant Perrone's Story

Friends in high school all knew I had a fascination for airplanes, so it must have been quite confusing for them when I joined the Marine Corps Reserves. Most of my family would tell me "the Air Force has the most planes, you should join with them." When I began to read Chapter 1 "Williams Air Force Base, Arizona" my mind slipped back to April of 1984 when I was making my decision which service to join. Like SGT Perronne, I loved my country and wanted to serve in the military from a young age. I felt a kinship with SGT Perronne as he explained "I wanted to be part of something bigger that me." I thought this story would be an interesting tale of the life I might have lead if I had joined what I always thought of as the glamorous `Fly-Boy' environment of the US Air Force. My expectations were quickly shattered as SGT Perronne provided a first-hand account of the August 1990 period when Saddam Hussein decided to invade Iraq. I was riveted as the story unfolded. The Gulf War had begun and he was one of the first US service members to be sent overseas in support of it. SGT Perronne's description of his hasty mobilization process was fascinating. He writes about the harsh desert environment, unknown toxins from oil refining, Anthrax vaccinations, and exposure to foreign bacteria. Again my image of life in the Air Force during this time was fractured when I read SGT Perronne's accounts of serving as a Military Policeman in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His description of how the Iraqi SCUD missile attacks caused him to experience strange physiological symptoms was alarming. Soon, he moves on in the story to tell of his return to the United States and a period where he does not want his ever increasing medical problems to possibly end his military career. The remainder of the book is an amazing tale of what SGT Perronne and Gulf War veterans of this period experienced fighting to prove his Gulf War related illnesses were real. Every citizen should understand what was going on behind the scenes of what happened during Desert Storm. US service members should not have to fight for their benefits like this, but SGT Perronne has set an example for us to learn by. His is a story of success and honorable service and I learned quite a bit from him. Every service member should read this book. I received a complimentary copy of 'Toy Soldier - Sergeant Perronne's Story' by Paul E. Perronne, as a member of the Dorrance Publishing Book Review Team. Visit [...] to learn how you can become a member of the Book Review Team. [...]

Fully enjoyed the book! Very easy read and very informative. A True "eye-opener" as to how the government abandoned this soldier after he placed his life on the line for his country overseas, and how he had to fight to get the benefits that were owed to him, after he became ill. A must read for anyone that is a soldier or that is thinking of enlisting in the U.S. armed forces. Sgt. Perrone, I salute you!

This book was recommended to me by a friend. When I received the book, I thought I would read a bit that night and then go to bed. I could not put it down!! It was written very well in a way that held my interest. I truly believe that it will be of interest to all veterans and their families not only in regards to what our soldiers deal with on a day to day basis when they are deployed to protect our county, but also in dealing with the boundless red tape involved in dealing with the bureaucracy of our military. Mr. Perrone did in no way denigrate our military, but he did show that in their attempt to not disclose information that should have been made available to each and every soldier, the powers that be are not always right! He gave facts and backup for every thing he wrote and persevered no matter what obstacles were put in his way. I believe he is honestly trying to help all the many thousands of veterans who have become ill and cannot explain the whys and wherefors of their illness. This book will give them the help they need to find the answers and the knowledge that you can "fight city hall" and win. My son is a career military man and I have just sent this book to him and also one to my brother who served in the Gulf at the same time as Sergeant Perrone.I highly recommend this book.

As the wife of a disabled veteran I found Sergeant Perrone's Story both comforting and informative. I truly wish my husband had a book like this available to him when he was struggling to obtain recognition from the Departemnt of Defense and the Veterans' Administration for his service connected disability. If you or someone you care about is a veteran or thinking of joining the military get and read this book. Sergeant Perrone makes it clear he loves his country and is proud to have had the opportunity to serve but he also makes it clear his top priority is supporting the troops when they return home and need care. He accompishes this in a roller coaster ride of humorous stories and heart breaking personal setbacks. Sergeant Perrone is both talented and quick witted. Well written! Great Job!