John Podlaski, "When Can I Stop Running?"
CreateSpace | 2016 | ISBN: 1534775803 | English | EPUB | 183 pages | 0.6 MB
CreateSpace | 2016 | ISBN: 1534775803 | English | EPUB | 183 pages | 0.6 MB
A vivid depiction of a terrifying night as an infantryman on a listening post during the Vietnam War. Two teenage soldiers, friends and fellow Detroiter's, are alone and positioned in the dense jungle three-hundred meters beyond the barbed-wired perimeter and relative safety of their firebase - their assignment as a "human early warning system", is to listen for enemy activity and forewarn the base of any potential dangers.
As they were new to the "Iron Triangle" and its reputation, little did they know that units before them lost dozens of soldiers in this nightly high-risk task and referred to those assigned as "bait for the enemy" and "sacrificial lambs".
Sitting in the pitch black tropical jungle - with visibility at less than two feet - one character's imagination takes hold throughout the agonizing night, and at times, transports him back to some of his most vivid childhood memories - innocent, but equally terrifying at the time.
As kids, we instinctively run as fast as we can to escape imaginary or perceived danger, but as soldiers, men are trained to conquer their fears and develop the confidence to stand their ground and fight. At least in theory, this is how it's supposed to work. But when enemy soldiers surround their LP - discovery or trying to run will result in instantaneous death…nothing in life had prepared them for this moment in time!
What others are saying about "When Can I Stop Running?":
"In a brilliant follow-up to his novel "Cherries," John Podlaski weaves frightening events of his youth into a vivid depiction of a terrifying night as an infantryman on a Listening Post during the Vietnam War."
- Joe Campolo, Jr., Authorof "The Kansas NCO" and "Back To the World."
"This tome draws the reader into the experiences that only combat personnel can usually hold witness to; broadening our understanding of the true sacrifices our military makes for us and our freedoms every day. 'When Can I Stop Running' should be on all of our 'must read' lists."
-Jerry Kunnath, Writer
"What makes When Can I Stop Running? a different read from 'Cherries' are the interludes where Polack, his memories brought to the surface as warily he watches for any movement near the LP, recalls his many adventures with school friends, some terrifying, some funny while growing up in Detroit during the1960's. It is in these stories, so familiar to those of us of the Boomer generation, that the author treats us to some of his finest writing. His childhood comes to life in his rich, poetic descriptions. It is a lost world which haunts all of our generation's memories, just as we are haunted by our memories of the central and defining event of our generation, the Vietnam War. Highly recommended!"
-Christopher Gaynor, author of "A Soldier Boy Hears the Distant Guns" and countless newspaper articles including a feature story and photos inTime Magazine
"Warrior and Vietnam author John Podlaski pulls out the stops in a very personal story interweaving some of his childhood experiences with his unnerving telling of his night spent in a listening post. A vividly written yet tasteful account of a nightmare experience; hair-raising and touching at the same time. It's a night he'll never forget."
-WilliamE. Peterson, International Best Selling and Award Winning Author: "Missions OfFire And Mercy~Until Death Do Us part"and "Chopper Warriors~Kicking The Hornet's Nest". Coming in July 2016, "ChopperHeroes."
"John does a magical job in his second book of weaving the terrors of boyhood adventure with the terrors of war. His words had me laughing and crying while recalling and reliving some of my childhood adventures and the terror of pitch black nights alone on the floor of jungles in Vietnam. Thank you, John, for another great adventure!"
-Stephen Perry, Author of "Bright Light: Untold Stories of the Top Secret War in VVietnam."
"As I read 'When can I stop Running?' and got deeper into the story, it brought all the images forward of those things I feared most - total darkness, rotting jungle, insects, and strange noises. I cringed at every turn, often asking myself if I had the bravado to do what they were doing. Today, soldiers use Night Vision Devices to see in the dark, quite a contrast from the Vietnam Era when soldiers only had their hearing, sense of smell, and a vivid imagination to guide them in the pitch black jungle. I also appreciate the author's stories of his youth; the adventures are both frightening and funny, yet, I could relate to similar experiences while growing up. This book is the real deal! Great job, Mr. Podlaski!"
-R. Scott Ormond (Sgt-5 ReCon Scout and Tank Section 3d/33d Armor, Germany 1971-73)
"In a brilliant follow-up to his novel "Cherries," John Podlaski weaves frightening events of his youth into a vivid depiction of a terrifying night as an infantryman on a Listening Post during the Vietnam War."
- Joe Campolo, Jr., Authorof "The Kansas NCO" and "Back To the World."
"This tome draws the reader into the experiences that only combat personnel can usually hold witness to; broadening our understanding of the true sacrifices our military makes for us and our freedoms every day. 'When Can I Stop Running' should be on all of our 'must read' lists."
-Jerry Kunnath, Writer
"What makes When Can I Stop Running? a different read from 'Cherries' are the interludes where Polack, his memories brought to the surface as warily he watches for any movement near the LP, recalls his many adventures with school friends, some terrifying, some funny while growing up in Detroit during the1960's. It is in these stories, so familiar to those of us of the Boomer generation, that the author treats us to some of his finest writing. His childhood comes to life in his rich, poetic descriptions. It is a lost world which haunts all of our generation's memories, just as we are haunted by our memories of the central and defining event of our generation, the Vietnam War. Highly recommended!"
-Christopher Gaynor, author of "A Soldier Boy Hears the Distant Guns" and countless newspaper articles including a feature story and photos inTime Magazine
"Warrior and Vietnam author John Podlaski pulls out the stops in a very personal story interweaving some of his childhood experiences with his unnerving telling of his night spent in a listening post. A vividly written yet tasteful account of a nightmare experience; hair-raising and touching at the same time. It's a night he'll never forget."
-WilliamE. Peterson, International Best Selling and Award Winning Author: "Missions OfFire And Mercy~Until Death Do Us part"and "Chopper Warriors~Kicking The Hornet's Nest". Coming in July 2016, "ChopperHeroes."
"John does a magical job in his second book of weaving the terrors of boyhood adventure with the terrors of war. His words had me laughing and crying while recalling and reliving some of my childhood adventures and the terror of pitch black nights alone on the floor of jungles in Vietnam. Thank you, John, for another great adventure!"
-Stephen Perry, Author of "Bright Light: Untold Stories of the Top Secret War in VVietnam."
"As I read 'When can I stop Running?' and got deeper into the story, it brought all the images forward of those things I feared most - total darkness, rotting jungle, insects, and strange noises. I cringed at every turn, often asking myself if I had the bravado to do what they were doing. Today, soldiers use Night Vision Devices to see in the dark, quite a contrast from the Vietnam Era when soldiers only had their hearing, sense of smell, and a vivid imagination to guide them in the pitch black jungle. I also appreciate the author's stories of his youth; the adventures are both frightening and funny, yet, I could relate to similar experiences while growing up. This book is the real deal! Great job, Mr. Podlaski!"
-R. Scott Ormond (Sgt-5 ReCon Scout and Tank Section 3d/33d Armor, Germany 1971-73)
John Podlaski served in Vietnam during 1970 and 1971 as an infantryman with both the Wolfhounds of the 25th Division and the 501st Infantry Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, two Air Medals, and a Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Podlaski's working career in the automotive industry spanned more than forty years, during which time he held various management positions. John returned to college in the year 2000 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Mr. Podlaski is a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 154. He and Jan, his wife of 43 years, both retired in 2013 and live in Sterling Heights, Michigan. When Can I Stop Running? is John’s second published book.