They Were Ours: Gloucester County`s Loss in Vietnam

There were forty-three men from Gloucester County, NJ, who died in service to our country during the Vietnam War. This book offers a look at their lives through their own words in the letters they sent home, through the eyes and hearts of those who mattered most to them, and through the memories of the men who served with them in Vietnam. The perspectives may vary, but the voices are clear, the passions are strong, and the pride is endless. Each of the forty-three continues to make a difference in the lives he touched and in the people he loved. They were indeed ours and this is how we remember them.

He was my first child and as hard as it was, when I hear all the horror stories about men coming back missing limbs or with disease, or not coming back at all, I don`t think I could have taken that. At least I knew. I thank God every day for that. I know Johnny`s at peace. -Pat Hayes, of son, John Rankin.

He used to tell me that some people back home thought he was a smart-ass. I`ll tell you what...If I heard anyone say that, they`d have an indignant Marine in their face real fast. The world should be full of people like him. -Stanley Stutts, of war comrade, James Hagelstein.

I went back to college in September, but my life had changed. At times, I wished I were dead. I didn`t care if I got hit by a car. I had just lost my best friend and first true love. -Joan Wisniewski, of fiance, Johnson Steidler.

I wonder if, when my time comes to climb out of the hole, I will go. –Robert Gillies, Navy corpsman and posthumous Silver Star recipient.

My boy felt he was doing the right thing and I agree. This is still a pretty wonderful country we live in and it is worth fighting and even dying for. I still feel we were doing the right thing, but we should have done it a lot differently. -Mickey McDowell, of son, Donald.

THEY WERE OURS is beautifully written and incredibly well researched. There are chapters that will tug at your heart. You may laugh. It is an absolute certainty you will cry. -Bob Shryock, Columnist, Gloucester County Times

$15.95 U.S. (Gould Graphics Logo)(SBN #) $21.95 Canada

You can order your copy now buy going to:
www.theywereours.com

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Author: John Campbell