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Old G.I. s and Sleeping Dragons
By Doug Francescon
Acknowledgements
Writing this book means more to me than simply putting my thoughts on paper.
Through these pages I have been able to understand why I feel the way that I do
on nights when sleep won’t come. I know now where the hate and the terrible
disappointment come from. I know why there are times when I won’t allow myself
to be myself. Without writing it down, I could have never understood, much less
found a way to cope with this part of me that I finally recognize.
There are many people to thank. First and foremost, I must thank my family who
stood by me even though they couldn’t understand my actions or moods. They have
made me understand what love truly is.
A very special thanks goes to my wife, Pati, whose encouragement kept me on
track.
Big thanks goes to my editor, Doina Horodniceanu, who made me see my book
through a reader’s eyes.
Thanks too go to the commercial artist, Jeston Whitacre, who designed the cover,
and never complained once about all the revisions.
My thanks and eternal gratitude goes to Dr. Douglas Ackerman to whom I owe my
life. His skill made this book and everything else in my life possible by
helping me beat cancer.
For all those who I mention by name, please know that each one of you has my
deepest respect. For the families and friends of those who didn’t come back, I
hope that this book will help you understand what soldier’s lives are like when
they are away from the ones they love. If any of the descriptions or accounts
causes you pain, I am truly sorry. It was not my intention to add to your
sorrow. But, I don’t know how to tell this story without including all of its
parts, and because it is about war, many of them are ugly.
