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To Any Soldier: The Vietnam Letters of Father James F. McNamara

Tyrone Powell

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Published in To Any Soldier: A Novel Of Vietnam Letters

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In the annals of the Vietnam War, there are countless stories of heroism, sacrifice, and loss. But few offer as intimate and poignant a glimpse into the human experience of that conflict as the letters of Father James F. McNamara, a Catholic priest who served as a chaplain during the war.

To Any Soldier: A Novel of Vietnam Letters

by erin Khuê Ninh

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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File size	:	5438 KB
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Print length	:	266 pages

McNamara's letters, which were written to his family and friends back home, offer a unique and deeply personal perspective on the war and its impact on the soldiers who fought in it. In his letters, McNamara describes the horrors of war firsthand, but he also writes about the courage, compassion, and resilience of the men he served with.

McNamara's letters are a powerful reminder of the human cost of war. They are a testament to the bravery of the soldiers who fought in Vietnam, and to the sacrifices made by their families and loved ones back home.

A Priest's Journey to War

James F. McNamara was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1931. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1957, and in 1966 he volunteered to serve as a chaplain in Vietnam. McNamara arrived in Vietnam in 1967, and he served there for two years, ministering to the spiritual needs of the soldiers in his unit.

McNamara's letters home provide a glimpse into the challenges and dangers he faced as a chaplain in Vietnam. He describes the daily grind of life in the field, the constant threat of enemy attack, and the emotional toll of witnessing the death and suffering of his fellow soldiers.

Despite the dangers, McNamara never wavered in his commitment to his faith and to the soldiers he served. He celebrated Mass in the field, offered counseling to the troops, and provided comfort to the wounded and dying.

The Human Cost of War

McNamara's letters are filled with vivid descriptions of the horrors of war. He writes about the death and destruction he witnessed firsthand, and about the emotional toll it took on the soldiers he served with.

In one letter, McNamara describes the aftermath of a particularly bloody battle: "I have seen things here that no man should ever see. I have seen young men torn apart by explosions, burned alive by napalm, and dismembered by shrapnel. I have seen men go insane from the horrors they have witnessed."

Despite the horrors he witnessed, McNamara never lost his faith in God or in the goodness of humanity. In his letters, he writes about the courage, compassion, and resilience of the soldiers he served with.

"These men are the bravest and most selfless individuals I have ever met," McNamara wrote. "They put their lives on the line every day to protect their country and their fellow soldiers. They are true heroes."

A Legacy of Service

McNamara returned to the United States in 1968, after completing his two-year tour of duty in Vietnam. He continued to serve as a priest for many years, and he was a tireless advocate for peace and reconciliation.

McNamara died in 2008, but his legacy continues to live on. His letters from Vietnam are a powerful reminder of the human cost of war, and of the courage and compassion of the soldiers who fought in it.

In 2017, McNamara's letters were published in a book titled To Any Soldier. The book has been praised for its honesty, its insights into the human experience of war, and its powerful message of peace and reconciliation.

To Any Soldier is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true cost of war. It is a powerful and moving tribute to the soldiers who fought in Vietnam, and to the families and loved ones who supported them.

To Any Soldier: A Novel of Vietnam Letters

by erin Khuê Ninh

4.7 out of 5