VIET NAM EOD VETERAN sells book to benefit families of injured EOD personnel.
Just about any given day you can find Gary Pool of Tabor toiling over his typewriter while eating lunch at Subway. Most people think that he is playing computer games or searching the web or following the stock markets. There’s little chance for Gary doing any of those things, his passion is writing. He has been writing about one thing or another for many years, but has yet to find the time to refine anything for publishing. This year he decided to take the giant step.
After 40 years of telling stories about his experiences in Explosive Ordnance Disposal while serving in Viet Nam, Gary has written these stories in book form entitled XứC MÂY. The title roughly translated from Vietnamese means “never happen”. All the stories are based on his recall of actual events, most of which he took part in during his tour of duty with the 3rd Ord EOD unit in South Viet Nam. Gary originally began writing these stories in order to leave a permanent record for his family but last year after learning about the Wounded EOD Warrior Foundation Gary decided to use his writings as a fund-raiser for this organization. The kick-off for book sales took place last month at the National EOD Association Convention in Branson, Missouri. Pictured above are Gary (on the right) and David Tipton, Viet Nam EOD Veteran’s Adjutant.
The WEODW Foundation provides funds and support to military EOD families caring for their loved ones while they recuperate at military medical facilities far from home. Resources are provided to eligible families for such things as plane fare, hotel rooms, food, baby sitting services and other necessities, or they can even benefit from house and/or rent payments where needed. The resources provided to the families are above and beyond the budgetary constraints of the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. All resources of this nonprofit organization are entirely obtained through donations and fundraising events.
Gary, as well as thousands of other veterans who served in Viet Nam experienced more than their share of the horrors of war; however in this book he has refrained from recounting gory details or controversial military operations, rather these stories are intended to give an honest account of day-to-day life in a 10-man EOD unit in Viet Nam. Gary has other books in the works that he hopes to finish someday, but for now his primary goal is to concentrate on this fundraiser. Books can be ordered online at www.xucmay.com or copies are available at Stoner Drug in Tabor, the Wild Rose in Malvern, Keg Creek Boot shop in Glenwood and the Iowa Welcome Center at Hwy 2 & I29 or by contacting Gary at 712-629-4625.