A real life hero

I've been thinking a lot lately (this usually elicits a snide comment from DH, but I digress), what with the nasty terror threat we're under. Thinking about a young man who is somewhere in Afghanistan right now doing who knows what. This young man is a US Army Ranger. Isn't he handsome?

He started college in 2008 and joined Army ROTC. In the middle of two wars, he joined the Army. "Why?" I asked his mother. "It's what he wants to do," she replied. He's not stupid. He was accepted at West Point twice! But I had to wonder. He excelled academically and in ROTC. He graduated in 2012 and after some initial training, he started Ranger training. "Why?" I asked his mother. I got the same reply I got the first time. "It's what he wants to do."

I followed his progress through Ranger training. His mother dutifully detailed his progress based on a book he'd given her. All I have to say is HOLY CRAP! I am beyond impressed with what this young man and his classmates and the classes before him accomplished.

Ranger training

And now he's deployed. Of course he is, he's an elite Army Ranger. This is what he trained for. He calls it a business trip. HA I pray for him every day. I've known this young man all his life. I've known his mother almost all my life.

I can't answer "why" he's trained as hard as he has to go into danger, willingly go into danger. I don't know what he'd say if I asked him "why." I need to ask him that some day.

When I think of him and his brothers and sisters in arms, across all branches of the military, it clarifies for me why I write military heroes. It goes beyond a handsome face and a buff body in a uniform, although that doesn't hurt.

What's not to love about a man (or woman) who puts the safety of his country and its citizens ahead of his own safety. This is a person, who, even with the knowledge that he (or she) may end up in the heat of the battle, still makes the commitment, voluntarily, to something greater than himself (or herself). I don't understand it. But I am oh so grateful.

I get all kinds of good shivers just thinking about the intensity that comes with that level of selfless commitment. And when that intensity is turned on the heroine...YUM! Then there's the duty and honor that are such a part of our military personnel. It doesn't get turned off when the uniform comes off (not going there!!). Our heroines reap the benefits of those values.

Our heroine is very lucky women, indeed, when the hero turns his attention in her direction!

And we're all very lucky that these men are more than just figments of our imagination.

If you're so inclined, I know I would appreciate any prayers, thoughts, and good wishes for my Ranger. His mother would appreciate it, too. If you're inclined to help out my Ranger and his unit with cards or goodies, feel free to email me at FeliciaForella at comcast dot net.

American Soldier - Toby Keith

Inspirations for Writing

As you all are reading this, I'm at a week-long work meeting/conference for the day job.  It's a busy week full of trainings (I'm giving 3) and getting together with workers from all over the state and fun.  The best part of the week is a banquet where we honor exceptional workers and adoptive families.  One of the families being honored this year is a family I have had the privilege of working with for several years.  They have adopted three boys and are in the process of adopting the younger brother of one of their sons.

Anyway, the week serves as a great inspiration for the day job, reminding me of why I do what I do.  Which got me thinking about what inspires me in my writing job.

My first inspirations is my parents, who just celebrated their 49th anniversary on July 4.  They are still very much in love and it shows!  Watching them, I know that happily ever after does indeed exist.  I will never forget when I was in high school and my best friend was spending the weekend.  We had gone upstairs to gossip and be silly, but Prim forgot something and ran back downstairs.  She came running back up the stairs and told me that we needed to turn a hose on my parents.  At the time, I was mortified!  Now I think it's very funny.  Kind of. 

My father is a 25 year AF veteran so I grew up watching the brave men (it was mostly men at that time) who served our country so selfishly.  That was the beginning of inspiration #2.  My love of men in uniform began early!  Now when I venture onto a base the men aren't too old for me, but mostly too young (although some are within range of my inner cougar!).  My son is in the AF and is about to be promoted to 1st LT.  But I still admire and am inspired by what the uniform stands for.

And then there's the wealth of fine looking eye candy available for inspiration #3.  My current favorites include Hugh Jackman and Joe Manganiello.  Alexander Skarsgard and Henry Cavill aren't too bad either!  I frequently search for images, all in the name of research, of course!  A good browsing session really gets my muse going!  She's shallow that way.

Who's your favorite leading man?

P.S. Hopefully, next month I'll have a new cover or three from the Class of '93 Trilogy to share with you.  And an excerpt or 2.  I'm very excited that the Class of '93 Trilogy will be available for Kindle!