Outskirts Press, INC.

Drawing on his experiences from two tours in Vietnam, Brice H. Barnes has compiled a remarkable assortment of vignettes or very short stories, ranging all the way from the joys of getting gifts from the “church ladies” to helping to steal a peanut mill! With emphasis on the value of teamwork, these stories detail the finding of the largest weapons and arms cache in the entire war to committing several grand larcenies, as told by a highly decorated combat veteran. In a fitting tribute to the men who lived and fought with Barnes, these vignettes are dedicated to a variety of men who were major contributors to the successes that Barnes experienced, with a deep sense of gratitude that is expressed at the end of each vignette. The personal miracle that Barnes experienced during the Tet Counter-Offensive became the basis for his deep involvement with the Kairos Prison Ministry. Not surprisingly, Barnes offers thanks to his God for the multitude of blessings he has received during his military career and beyond, and hopes that this book will contribute to a better understanding of the ultimate goal of our mission in Vietnam and the healing of old wounds, both physical and mental.

"From their place of special safekeeping, Novello retrieved his LP’s, and loaded five of them on the spindle. Soon, the most melodic sound I had heard in months was softly emanating from the speakers, with a gorgeous voice asking, “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and sending a “Message to Michael.” I had just been introduced to Dionne Warwick, right there in the middle of a very rough clearing in the jungle, smack dab in the middle of Vietnam, just before sunset. The ironic juxtaposition of mud, the stench of the jungle, and the sounds of distant artillery explosions with the soft, lilting voice of Dionne Warwick made a lasting impression."