An Unexpected War Hero...Sgt. Reckless America’s War Horse

Sometimes, as amazing as it seems, things can still surprise me... such as this story someone posted on my Facebook page about an unexpected hero--a war horse.

This diminutive sorrel filly, only 13-hands high, was being trained in Korea to be a racehorse in the 1950s when war broke out. Her training shifted from racing to battle and she was taught to step over communications lines, duck during incoming fire, and be impervious to the sounds of battle.

Alone, she delivered ammunition and supplies across 35 miles through rice paddies, 51 trips, saving her human Marine counterparts from this dangerous task. She was wounded twice and received the Purple Heart twice. She was officially made a Marine staff sergeant, and called SGT Reckless.

Amazingly, she survived the war to live out her days at Camp Pendleton. Even years later, her story still resonates. She was honored during this year's Kentucky Derby weekend with a ceremony and documentary. A new book about her amazing life is scheduled for an August release.

Watch this YouTube video. 

Read the article.

Cat Johnson

Our Military Members Deserve Better

Fuck. Not again.

That's the first thing I thought when I heard the news out of Ft. Hood last week. Since we're here because of our support of our military (and our love of our military romances), I hope you'll forgive me if I hop up on my soapbox.

When the first shooting happened (I never thought I'd have to refer to it as "first"), I was in class, studying to be a trauma therapist. We heard the news during break and spent the second half of class discussing the situation. I have since completed my training, focusing on the military and children in foster care/adoption.

And I was frustrated then as I am now. Of course, we know now that the first shooting was not committed by a soldier suffering from PTSD, although that was the assumption in the class that night. This time, the evidence points toward a soldier with mental health issues. Time may give us a better picture of the nature of his issues.

But regardless of the exact reason, it brings the weaknesses in the military's mental health system back to the front of my mind.

Mental illness in the military in epidemic in nature. Jessica Scott dealt with the topic in her recent book, All For You. If you haven't read Jessica, you should! Anyway, the suicide rate is off the charts. Military suicide rates far exceed civilian rates. I think this shooting is part of the same problems that are leading to the high suicide rates. The realistic part of me is surprised there aren't more shootings like last week's.

The programs are out there. Programs that work. Programs that help prevent PTSD from gaining a foothold. They need to be made available to all soldiers in theater and back home. Better yet, it needs to be mandatory to remove the stigma of going for help.

Our men and women deserve it. They volunteer to don the uniform to protect us. They take on dangerous situations for crappy pay because they want to, because they believe in what they do. For that service, they deserve to be taken care of. They deserve better.

They give us their all. How can we give them any less?

Stepping off soapbox now.

On a very happy note, today is my mother's birthday! So if you see Liz Forella running around, wish her a very happy birthday!!

And while I'm wishing happy birthday, my grandmother's birthday was last Saturday. Not that I'd ever divulge her age, but I can assure you she looks damn good!!

Both of these pictures were taken at my son's wedding last year. Just thought you'd like to know. :)

Happy reading!!

Felicia

Guest Author Bella Juarez

What is so alluring about a man in uniform?

Oh! Let me count the ways!

(1)   Authority:  Who doesn’t love a big strong alpha man in uniform? The air of authority that comes with a uniform makes us women weak at the knees.  The basic instinct of being protected and secure in a big strong alpha man’s presences is warm and inviting.  And it helps that most of them are in pretty damn good shape. 

(2)   Command and Control.  Need I say more?  How about those handcuffs?  That water hose that could never douse the flame of desire these men set racing through you.  The aggressive, hungry, way the come home after months on a warfront.  There is also a tenuous vulnerability in these men that is sweet and attractive. 

(3)   What about those big guns… *le sigh*

(4)   Rescue me!  What woman hasn’t dreamt of a knight coming to rescue her?  Doesn’t matter of it’s a street wise Sampson, GI Joe or just plain Officer/Fireman Joe. Who doesn’t want to be carried off and rescued?  Show of hands please?  You know they play as hard as they work.

(5)   Sensitivity to a cause greater than themselves:  These big guys have an even bigger heart.  They understand what’s at stake.  They know that dedicating themselves to a higher purpose is not just a job but a calling.  The need to be heroic isn’t their motivation.  The desire to protect and serve is their driving force. 

Let’s not stop at number five… Give me six, seven, eight, nine, ten, etc…

Bella Juarez is originally from San Antonio, Texas and now lives and writes on a small ranch in South Central Texas. She draws inspiration from the real-life heroes and heroines of the United States military and her many experiences in the twelve years she worked within that world as well as from her life in the civilian world. Her love of thrill and adventure is reflected in her stories. When she’s not writing, Bella runs a business and is active in the business community. She also runs half marathons and loves to be in the kitchen whipping up something special.

Minefield – Book five in the BlackOps Brotherhood series:

http://www.bookstrand.com/minefield

Dr. Isabel Vasquez joins Doctors Without Borders, insisting on serving in post-Taliban Afghanistan. She hates the pain and devastation caused by her country’s actions in that war-stricken land and openly protests US global militarism. While treating injured and sick Afghanis, she is captured and held prisoner by terrorists. Navy SEAL Senior Chief Alex “Doc” Richards must find the war-protesting doctor who witnessed the effects of a deadly pathogen known to be in the hands of the same terrorists. He doesn’t count on finding a tempting dusky beauty.  As a powerful attraction grows, Izzy and Alex find themselves working to stop terrorists from turning Afghanistan into a lifeless wasteland.  A mysterious Turkish wanderer reveals a secret to Izzy that Alex has hidden since joining the SEALs. Can Izzy submit to Alex’s dark desires? When Alex is faced with an impossible choice, can he save the woman he adores from terrorists who have her in their crosshairs? 

Visit Bella on the web at www.bealljuarez.com

Guest Author Denise A. Agnew

Celebrating the Military Hero: It’s In My Blood

Thanks so much to the ladies here for including me as a guest blogger. I very much appreciate it.

I’ve written quite a few military characters over the years, some who left the military because of

injuries, some who left to pursue other things, and even one or two who retired (yeah I don’t always write twenty-year-old heroes). A few of the stories are romantic suspense or have hints of suspense, and even others have paranormal elements. A few are historical characters. Can’t say that I just write one genre, because I love to mix it up.

I stumbled around trying to decide how to describe why I write so many military characters, because sometimes it’s difficult for a writer to think of their motivations. Of course military characters in novels can be wonderful heroes because of their courage, fortitude, and the possibility of significant angst. All great fodder for intriguing stories. But I think there’s a bigger connection for me personally.

I came to the conclusion that the military is just in my blood…literally. I grew up in Colorado Springs among several military bases. My father told me of his experiences during World War II and my brother served in the Air Force during Vietnam. Over the course of many years, I’ve also learned a ton about my family’s genealogy. Ancestors of mine served in the French and Indian Wars, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the Civil War (Union and Confederate), and World War II. Both of my grandfathers would have served in World War I but they had medical problems that disqualified them.

When I met my husband he was already in the army. I became a war bride when we thought he’d be deployed to the Middle East in 1991. My husband retired from the army after twenty years. So I guess I could say there’s no escaping the military, and I don’t want to escape.

So where can you find my military romances? Well, stop by my website at www.deniseagnew.com and read through all my blurbs! You’ll find military heroes in many of my books, even the stories that aren’t specifically military romance (such as Asylum II: Shadows Rise and Asylum III: ShadowsFall).  Some are erotic romance and some are not.

Soon I hope to publish a trilogy of novellas that feature three brothers, all in the military and the very dangerous situation that brings them close to three special heroines. Keep your eyes peeled for that. If you sign up for my newsletter you’ll be updated monthly on every new book that comes out. You’ll also find links to my Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for spending time with me!

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