It’s with Fitzgerald’s words kept as a guiding light, Richard J. “SARGE” Garwood writes his award winning commentary for the Westside Journal in Port Allen, LA. Taking on the mantle of the common citizen, Garwood’s not afraid to tackle the tough issues of the day whether they’re on the national, regional or local level.

His honest and sometimes controversial approach to analyzing issues is garnered from years of practical street experience as a Deputy Sheriff and as a man willing to step to the frontlines to better assess and confront the problem. Displaying “strong, solid writing” (Louisiana Press Association) and occasionally showing poignancy and irreverence; he expresses the depth of his, and his reader’s, life experiences, Garwood goes straight to the point.

In this time of Internet commerce, cyber-forums and personal blogs, the small town newspaper has become anachronistic. To many they are relics of an era that has slipped away. Yet those that are in print remain unique expressions of the American ideal, tangible links to an actual physical community. And because newsprint still circulates, passed on to us by actual human hands, we are connected as people.

If the small town paper expresses the American ideal then the editorial page gives us the opinion of the nation, the actual mind of society as it is expressed locally. In this book you will follow one such mind as it explores issues important to America. Through the eyes of a local writer you will consider the miracles of childhood and motherhood, congratulate high school graduates on their commencement, examine the particulars of sound financial planning and even reflect on the loss of a loved one in Iraq.

This thoughtful collection is a glimpse of an America that goes largely under reported, one where faith, patriotism, even practical advice are still valued.

This manuscript has been composed over a while. The beginning of it was written some time back and the last half has been recent. It has seen its share of additions, deletions and adjustments. Yet the constancy that has remained has been a need to convey insights into life, humanity and the undying perseverance of that which causes one to hold on, to endure, to be honest with oneself, to smile through tears, and remain steadfast and determined; love and spirit, heart and soul, endurance, perseverance and determination to live instead of merely exist. Truth with all of these is freeing, my words as included in these works, demonstrates this.

Having chosen to bring into the heart many a person whose existence and life crossed paths with mine, it was what I saw in them as they passed by that caused me to take notice and hold on. Sadly however, and more often than not, they failed to see the beauty that is within them. With my writings, I sought to place a mirror before them so as to show that what some individuals have been blessed with being able to convey, they also possess. It is my belief that the greatness that is aspired to in heart and soul … is within each of us.

In the fall of 2006, while deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I began a letter-writing campaign with fifth-grade students from Eyestone Elementary in Wellington, CO. From their letters of support and appreciation, I would find inspiration through the voices of America's youth. Although I was deployed for four-and-a-half months, the students and I shared letters for nine months. The campaign concludes with a visit to Eyestone to meet the students face-to-face. It was a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

In the fall of 2006, while deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I began a letter-writing campaign with fifth-grade students from Eyestone Elementary in Wellington, CO. From their letters of support and appreciation, I would find inspiration through the voices of America's youth. Although I was deployed for four-and-a-half months, the students and I shared letters for nine months. The campaign concludes with a visit to Eyestone to meet the students face-to-face. It was a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

The author’s letters will give you insight into what one small county in Virginia calls progress and other key areas that slipped by the local taxpayers. They are serious letters but they are written, at times, with a sense of humor, much to the dismay of some who still hold positions of importance in the county.

The author believes in doing our best for the environment and for global warming. Her biggest pet peeves are the government’s “over-intrusion” into our lives, and the “over-development” of our rural areas. She vows to continue to fight the injustices through her Letters to the Editor and by trying to make a difference every day.

The author’s letters will give you insight into what one small county in Virginia calls progress and other key areas that slipped by the local taxpayers. They are serious letters but they are written, at times, with a sense of humor, much to the dismay of some who still hold positions of importance in the county.

The author believes in doing our best for the environment and for global warming. Her biggest pet peeves are the government’s “over-intrusion” into our lives, and the “over-development” of our rural areas. She vows to continue to fight the injustices through her Letters to the Editor and by trying to make a difference every day.

The author’s letters will give you insight into what one small county in Virginia calls progress and other key areas that slipped by the local taxpayers. They are serious letters but they are written, at times, with a sense of humor, much to the dismay of some who still hold positions of importance in the county.

The author believes in doing our best for the environment and for global warming. Her biggest pet peeves are the government’s “over-intrusion” into our lives, and the “over-development” of our rural areas. She vows to continue to fight the injustices through her Letters to the Editor and by trying to make a difference every day.

Tom Evans grew up in Connecticut and enlisted in the Marine Corps at 17 after high school. In 1967 he served in a Marine infantry platoon in the 'Walking Dead' battalion, so named because it had the highest casualty rate of any Marine unit. At 19 he was promoted to sergeant and put in charge of a 15-man mortar section. He is a survivor of the bloodiest single-day battle of the Vietnam War.

With the war seemingly behind him, Evans suffered a PTSD breakdown in 1989. A psychiatrist's notes read-'Presently on major tranquilizer. Patient offers flat affect. No spontaneous conversation. Sits motionless, sluggish mental mechanisms. Suffers a poverty of thoughts.'

In 1994, while riding on a float in his first Memorial Day parade, an older woman in the crowd yelled 'Thank you!' Tears came to his eyes as he realized that was the first time in 27 years anybody had thanked him for his Vietnam service. Evans went home that night and, at age 46, began to write about the war and how it had affected his life. He has been writing ever since.

Essay subjects include the Vietnam Memorial Wall, loved ones of those killed, women in combat, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), World War II vets, Iraq and Afghanistan vets, lost opportunities, Vietnam vet phonies, rear echelon commandos, anti-war protesters, presidential hopefuls Bob Dole and John Kerry, the draft, land mines, visit to Walter Reed Hospital, survival guilt, My Lai massacre, Vietnam vet spokesmen, unit pride, the war as a motivator, Memorial Day, rage under fire, politics of veterans' groups and anniversary dates of battles.

Tom Evans grew up in Connecticut and enlisted in the Marine Corps at 17 after high school. In 1967 he served in a Marine infantry platoon in the 'Walking Dead' battalion, so named because it had the highest casualty rate of any Marine unit. At 19 he was promoted to sergeant and put in charge of a 15-man mortar section. He is a survivor of the bloodiest single-day battle of the Vietnam War.

With the war seemingly behind him, Evans suffered a PTSD breakdown in 1989. A psychiatrist's notes read-'Presently on major tranquilizer. Patient offers flat affect. No spontaneous conversation. Sits motionless, sluggish mental mechanisms. Suffers a poverty of thoughts.'

In 1994, while riding on a float in his first Memorial Day parade, an older woman in the crowd yelled 'Thank you!' Tears came to his eyes as he realized that was the first time in 27 years anybody had thanked him for his Vietnam service. Evans went home that night and, at age 46, began to write about the war and how it had affected his life. He has been writing ever since.

Essay subjects include the Vietnam Memorial Wall, loved ones of those killed, women in combat, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), World War II vets, Iraq and Afghanistan vets, lost opportunities, Vietnam vet phonies, rear echelon commandos, anti-war protesters, presidential hopefuls Bob Dole and John Kerry, the draft, land mines, visit to Walter Reed Hospital, survival guilt, My Lai massacre, Vietnam vet spokesmen, unit pride, the war as a motivator, Memorial Day, rage under fire, politics of veterans' groups and anniversary dates of battles.