Unbroken Bonds Of Battle
Johnny Joey Jones
Broadside Books
Authors do their best to describe the bonds Marines and Veterans share. They wax poetically about camaraderie and esprit de corps. They weave our proud history and traditions with worn out cliches to convey the brotherhood we share. They do not understand that our bonds are forged by our common experiences.
This is why most authors fail. The ones that get it right are the ones who have a story to tell. They get it right because the story they share is theirs and it closely resembles our own stories.
Our weapons and our enemies changed over the years, but war never changed. War is still ugly and violent but it is in those moments the Unbroken Bonds Of Battle are formed. Marines share the painful loss of brothers, their brushes with death, and the true essence of fighting for someone they care about. To borrow a cliche, they are not fighting for an ideal, they fight for each other. Which we continue to do after the war is long over.
Johnny Joey Jones does a superb job of highlighting the bonds we share. In his book, Unbroken Bonds Of Battle, Jones shares with you stories of Veterans struggling with the aftermath of war. He gives us the stories of leaders who sent American sons into the jaws of hell to fight terrorists. The stories of Veterans who watched their brothers sacrifice their tomorrow for our freedom.
Most importantly, Jones shares the stories of our unconquerable spirit. The spirit Rush Limbaugh witnessed when he visited Veterans at Walter Reed Hospital. The spirit to overcome the loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries and PTSD.
Johnny Joey Jones knows first hand the struggles our Veterans face. He lost both of his legs while fighting in Afghanistan. He personally witnessed friends struggle with mental and physical health issues.
These struggles put Jones on a quest to improve the lives of Veterans and their families. He wants Veterans, and their families to know they are not alone, nor are they forgotten. Through the stories he shares, he shows us how to find the help we need to end issues like veteran suicide. He does this through our bonds of heroism, patriotism and friendship. These are the bonds that conquers the demons of war.
Jones does not waste your time with facts and studies. He does what all journalists and writers are suppose to do, "show don't tell." He brings you stories that tug your heart strings, invoke your patriotism, and after reading these stories, you might just call a brother to see how they are doing.
The stories live up to Jone's book dedication. "This book isn't just an imperfect memorial for those men but also our best attempt to show what lies ahead-how their legacy lives on through the new lives touched and love given, those who forged unbroken bonds with the best we left behind.
The issues I have with the book are what I consider editing problems. Some of the stories are too short. Just as I connected with the story, it was over and on to the next. The other problem I have was with the "conversational" tone of the stories.
Jones has a habit of interrupting the story with thoughts and memories of the Veteran telling their story. It is something that happens naturally when Marines get together for Marine Corps League gathering.
Every third Thursday, Marines of the LCPL Justin D McLeese Detachment gather at the Pontchartrain Yacht Club. When we get together we swap our war stories and as we recount our tales, we constantly interrupt each other with shared memories of lives. That is what Jones tries to do with his stories.
Unfortunately, it doesn't work well in a book. Again, I blame the editor. There was probably a better place in the story to place the interruption or cut it entirely.
Unbroken Bonds Of Battle, is a good read. Veterans or anyone looking to learn more about the struggles face should pick this book up. I find on the days that I want to honor those who sacrificed their lives, I read a story or two. If I need a reminder about the struggles Veterans face, I will read this book. It does indeed live up to his dedication.
Unbroken Bonds Of Battle, by Johnny Joey Jones is that imperfect memorial. It immortalizes those who sacrificed their lives and the ones who fight for those who struggle with demons.
To our struggling brothers and sisters, we are here for you. If you need us, pick up the phone and call us. If you can't call one of us, call 988 then press 1.
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