My first hint that I wanted to becomea writer began in high school. Sort oflike that first yellow bloom on a tomatoplant, my English teacher, my aunt LillianMontgomery picked up onsomething like that tiny bloomthat gave her a hint that her gangly,awkward nephew might possiblyhave an inborne ability tostring words together in a meaningfulway.I resented Aunt Lillian at firstbecause she …

America has been going to war for 250years. When Johnny marches off at the pleaof a needy nation he is accorded all the accoladesdeserved of a volunteer going to war.With only one exception, that sameveteran is welcomed home with allthe gratitude a nation can heap onthe men and women that gave up aslice of their lives so that freedomcan remain …