Article Ennis Daily News 12/19/2008

Ennis man recalls war experiences

Candie Beck-Adams, Community Editor12-19-2008

Local author and Ennis native Ray Jackson said writing is easy when you write about what you know and he should know.Jackson’s first book Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia recounts the stories of his time in Vietnam while his upcoming books will focus on his family and their struggles. His book on Vietnam is his first effort at writing and one he said really began in 1986 but was completed earlier this year."In 1986, the Ennis community put up a memorial to deceased veterans and some names were left off of it, so I wrote a letter to the editor of the Ennis Daily News and received a great response from it," he said. "From there I made a trip to Washington to visit the memorial and get the list of names of the people from Ennis that had been killed, which made me think of how the families of all these people must have felt not knowing how their loved ones had lived and the struggles they went through, which prompted me to write things down and ultimately led to the book."It wasn't as easy then for families to communicate with their loved ones back home and Jackson should know. He and his best friend Jimmy Swindell were only stationed five miles apart but didn't know it for six months until their mothers were comparing letters from their sons."When I received a letter from my mother telling me Ray was only five miles away, I was about to head out on an R&R excursion to Australia but I stopped by the base where he was before I went," Swindell said. "He had just gone to bed because he had pulled an overnight shift and I walked into the tent where he was and his foot was hanging off the bed so I reached down and pulled on his toe and he stirred a little so I walked up closer to the head of the bed and did it again, he woke up and raised his arm like he was going to take a swing at me, but when he saw who it was he just grabbed my neck. It was a heck of a way to find each other over there, but we were glad we could."Swindell then visited Jackson again on his return from Australia but that was the only time the two saw each other until they were sent home.Jackson said the treatment they received while on their way to Ennis was both wonderful and awful, but their hometown community was always good to them."When we were coming home we flew military standby so we had to wear our uniforms to the airport and to get to the airport they loaded us on buses that had metal wiring over the windows to protect us from the people that were against the Vietnam War," Jackson said. "People called us all kinds of names and threw things at us and I remember this one lady that had to be in her 20s running up to the bus and flipping us off and I couldn't understand what we had done to deserve that, but that is how it was. At the airport though when we got on the plane everyone stood and applauded us until we were seated and did the same thing when we got off the plane. When we got home the community took care of us and welcomed us back. It was good to be home."Swindell said reading the details of what his friend went though and being mentioned in the book regarding the time they spent together when they finally found each other is great and he is proud of his friend for his efforts to portray that time in a way that not only covers the bad stuff, but the fun times too."I knew Ray was writing the book because he called to ask me if he could use my name and talk about seeing each other, but I didn't know how it would be done," he said. "With no formal training on how to write books, Ray has done a fantastic job on this book. He tells the story but keeps it interesting by covering a lot of topics and adding in some of the fun times as well. The only thing is that you get to know some of our secrets," Swindell joked.For those wanting to pick up a copy of the book or meet the author to have the book signed, Jackson will be at Interior Ideas on Dec. 20 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. A limited number of books are available and more can be purchased at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble.com.

Last chance before Christmas

Saturday, December 20, 2008, will be the last time before Christmas to purchase my new book for a loved one or yourself. I will be at Interior Ideas at 211 West Knox in Ennis, Texas from 11am-2pm. I would love to see each and everyone there. I only have a limited number of books. I will also be talking about my new book coming out the first of the year. Thanks, and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Ray E. Jackson

Book Signing

I will be signing my new book Saturday, December 6th at Brookshires in Emory, Texas from 1pm-4pm. Feel free to stop by and pick up your copy. It will make someone a good Christmas gift. Hope to see all of you there.

Successful television interview

The television interview with Joan Hallmark's freedom fighters at KLTV channel 7 in Tyler, Texas was a big success. The station produced a remarkable presentation of my book and the context about Vietnam and our war veterans. It was so detailed, I almost purchased a copy. My thanks and gratitude goes out to Joan and her co-workers at KLTV for a job well-done.

Book Presentation and Signing

Hey fans, I will be at Barnes and Noble, November 15th from 6pm - 9pm in Tyler, Texas for a book presentation and signing. Hope to see everyone there.

Television interview

Don't forget, November 7th on, the special television interview with KLTV channel 7 in Tyler, Texas. The interview was with Joan Hallmark producer of the "Freedom Fighters." You can pick it up on www.kltv.com. Check that date on your calendars.

About "Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia"

What did we leave behind in Vietnam? Memories of over 50,000 dead and thousands suffering from the injuries sustained in a brutal war. Why did we walk out and hand those innocent lives over to communism? The same reason many of the American people are imploring the government today and shouting, “Get our troops out of Iraq. Walk away as we did in Vietnam and leave the people to fend for themselves against corrupt Muslim leaders.” The audacity of Americans prompting the government to pull our troops out. Then ask yourselves, “Why did our men and women give their lives for the Iraqi people? So they can have the same freedom that Americans so dearly enjoy everyday.” Stand and fight to overcome losses, and end tyranny on their grounds before it destroys us on ours. Let’s not let this be another Vietnam where we abandoned lives.

To understand where this country is going, we must first understand where it has been. With this in mind comes Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia, a memoir of military police life in South Vietnam.

Engaging in combat, maintaining order on military bases, supporting troops in battle – military police officers fight and die by the motto “Protect and Serve.”

Along with chronicling my experiences in South Vietnam, I highlight the love and camaraderie that exists among fellow police officers and acknowledge the tragedies of each battle fought, expressing my gratitude and affection for any man or woman who has ever donned a military uniform.

Sincerely,
Ray E. Jackson
Author, Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia
1-903-473-8092
coachrays1044@verizon.net

Memoir Sheds New Light on Day-to-Day Life of Military Police Officers

In his engaging new memoir, Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia, Ray E. Jackson shares his experiences fighting in war-torn South Vietnam.

Never before has there been such a comprehensive account of military police life. Jackson writes in vivid, graphic detail, drawing the reader into the action, providing a snapshot of a particular place – South Vietnam – during the most tumultuous time in its history.

Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia delves into Jackson’s tour of duty with an honesty and real-world relevance that you won’t get from other memoirs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact: Ray E. Jackson
Phone: (903) 473-8092
Email: coachrays1044@verizon.net


New Memoir Examines the Impact of War, Highlights One Man’s Tour in Vietnam

Bloomington, Ind. (Oct. 10, 2008)—Wars bring about many heartaches, loss of loved ones, trauma and stress. In his new memoir, Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia, Ray E. Jackson asks the question, “Do these tragedies have to be so painful?” and responds, “Well, the answer is unequivocally yes.”

Jackson chronicles his services as a military police officer in the Vietnam War, recounting his transfer to war-ravaged South Vietnam from Germany in the summer of 1969. Before his transfer, Jackson was briefly stationed in Fort Lewis, Wash., where he received jungle and guerilla warfare training, giving him the skills necessary to do his job under dangerous, volatile conditions.

Jackson faced special challenges as a military police officer. He describes the conditions of South Vietnam in harrowing detail, explaining the difficulty of trying to maintain order in an unstable region prone to unpredictable, devastating violence. He writes:

The military police played an important role in Vietnam. Not only did they have to keep order on military bases, but also they were involved in actual combat. We were trained as combat military police. By supporting the troops in battle, we built a great camaraderie and respect with the infantry. We were billed as the bad guys to most troops, but we lived by the motto, “protect and serve.”

In addition to sharing his personal experiences on the ground, Jackson provides a comprehensive look at the relationships between soldiers, writing that “the only true friends you had were your fellow military policemen.” Also included are descriptions of battles, weapons, and the experience of being under fire.

At times graphic, Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia serves as an important reminder of a turbulent time, not only in one man’s life, but in America’s military history.

For more information about Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia, visit http://www.iuniverse.com/.

About the Author

Ray E. Jackson was born and raised in Texas. He served in the U.S. Army from 1967 to 1973 and was stationed in Germany, South Vietnam and Texas. Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia is his first book.



978-0-595-52301-6 • 6 x 9 • Trade Paperback • 316 pages • $22.95 •

Available at iUniverse.com, Amazon.com or BN.com

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Weekend in Ennis

I started off my Saturday, October 18, 2008, with a visit to the American Legion Post 361, Chism Landers where I was the guest speaker. I gave a speech and presentation on my new book, "Military Police Protection in Southeast Asia." After about thirty minutes, I completed a question and answer session and left to attend the Autumn Festival downtown. I was invited to join the Ennis Journal at their booth to talk about my book to the public. Many passer-bys stopped and introduced themselves and ask questions concerning the book's content. I had a great time, and enjoyed visiting with the public. I hope to be able to setup a book signing in Ennis next month. Also, you can see my television interview with KLTV channel 7, Tyler, on the internet at http://www.kltv.com/ on or after November 7, 2008.