This is a review for the book Chariots In The Sky: written by Author Larry A. Freeland. I received a copy of this Chariots In The Sky in exchange for a review.
For some reason I have felt off all day and couldn’t get motivated all I wanted to do was crawl on the couch. I couldn’t figure out why. But then I was on Facebook and saw a post my brother had made. The post was about my dad and how much he missed him. Then it hit me like a ton of breaks today is the day my dad passed away.
I walked by my desk and saw Chariots In The Sky laying on my desk I wanted to pick it up and pitch the book it into the trash because it was so painful seeing the book because it not only reminded me of my dad who served in the Air Force but also my Uncles who were in the Army.
Then I could feel my dad saying no, sit and down and look through the book this man took the time to serve our Country and its our job to support him and to thank him and his family for there sacrifices. Then I felt a PEACE come over me.
I grabbed my favorite beverage and went to sit in my dads chair I had kept with a blanket he used to use and found myself lost in the book. I learned so much about the Service and what my dad would have went through. I would like to thank Larry A. Freeland for bringing my dad back to me this morning.
I can’t wait to share this new book with everyone I know. I hope you will purchase this book and share it with your friends and family as well. I plan on purchasing copies for our American Legion and for my father in law to leave at the Veterans Hospital when he goes to see the doctor.
Chariots in the Sky is the story of Captain Taylor St. James, a dedicated Army helicopter pilot, who is sent to Vietnam. While performing his duties, Taylor will be challenged and tested beyond any measure he could have ever envisioned.
He is assigned to the Eagles, a Huey Assault Company with the 101st Airborne Division in I Corps. Their flying exploits take them into many familiar places to include: A Shau Valley, Khe Sanh, Quang Tri Province, Hue, DMZ, North Vietnam and Laos.
Along the way, Taylor participated in Lam Son 719, the last major American Offensive Operation of the war. This historical campaign lasted for sixty days and involved over 750 helicopters flying in and out of Laos, supporting the South Vietnamese incursion into Laos. Lam Son 719 was the costliest period of helicopter warfare for the Americans. More helicopters were shot down and sustained battle damage than any other period during the Vietnam War.
Larry Freeland was born in Canton, Ohio. Since his father was an officer with the United States Air Force he grew up on many Air Force bases across this country. After graduating from High School at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico, he attended the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida.
Larry Freeland graduated in 1968 with a degree in mathematics and a concentration in finance. He joined the U.S. Army and served one tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division as an Infantry Officer and a CH-47 helicopter pilot. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Medal, with 10 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star, and various other military service medals.
Upon release from active duty in 1973, Larry returned to civilian life and pursued a career in the Financial Industry. During his professional career, he continued his education earning graduate degrees in Management and Banking. He worked for 29 years in the banking business with Trust Company of Georgia, Citizen and Southern Corporation, now Bank of America, and Wachovia, now Wells Fargo. After retiring from banking he worked as an independent financial consultant for 3 years in the Atlanta area and then worked as an instructor for 6 years with Lanier Technical College in their Management and Leadership Development Program.
Larry is now retired and lives in North Georgia with his wife Linda, a retired school teacher. They stay involved in various activities, most notably those associated with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Veterans related organizations. They also enjoy traveling together and spending as much time as possible with their two daughters, three grandsons, and two granddaughters.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
