Page 95 - Senior Link Magazine Fall 2021- Online Magazine

BOOK REVIEW Senior Link is happy to reintroduce a regular book review. If you know of a local
When I
Was a Boy:
One Year in
Vietnam
n When I Was a Boy: One Year
in Vietnam, Robert L. Ordóñez
Ishares his story of what it
was like to be 21 years old and
fighting in an unpopular war. He
recounts how it felt to arrive in
Vietnam, recalling the sweltering
heat and how he “would find the
lack of order to be the rule rather
than the exception”. He pictures
moving through the jungles of
Vietnam, laden with heavy gear,
the unfamiliar terrain, the deep
darkness, the oppressive humidity,
the size of the insects (where having
a mosquito net on his helmet felt
like a luxury), and the formations
strategy that was used to result in
the least number of casualties.
He recalls the first time someone
yelled “Corpsman, up; corpsman,
up!” and realizing that it was him
they were calling. His memory
went blank for a time when one
of his fellow soldiers was injured
beyond recognition. He remembers
the “fine cuisine” of C-rations and
Long-Range Patrol Rations (LRPRs)
and how they often had to heat
up the cans with small portions of
C-4 or peanut butter mixed with
bug spray. They learned to stretch
out those meals and make a small
amount of food last for several
days. The book is a detailed look
author whose book you’d like to spotlight, contact us at erin.slm@outlook.com
into what it was like to be fighting discharged and ultimately found his
on the front lines in Vietnam or purpose when he became a follower
hanging at the chow hall and of Christ while visiting Mexico.
building relationships with people
who might die the next day. When I Was a Boy: One Year in
Vietnam, based on Dr. Ordóñez’
Robert was met with hostility journal entries, provides a detailed
upon his return to the states. He glimpse into the grueling year-long
still remembers a woman who process of his transformation from
approached him at the airport boyhood to manhood. It would
saying, “How does it feel to kill doubtless be an interesting read for
babies, you war monger?” The thousands of soldiers who shared
whole country seemed to have a similar experiences, but it would
vendetta against Vietnam veterans. also be eye-opening for anyone else
The country’s reaction to the war who cares about the difficulties a
only added to the inner turmoil he young soldier encounters when
was feeling. Robert struggled with faced with the reality of war.
what to do after being honorably
BOOK REVIEW by Rachel Bloodworth
Rachel Bloodworth is a Lubbock native and a Texas
Tech University alum. She is a caseworker for Child
Protective Services during the day but is an avid
reader at night and on the weekends! Rachel not only
does reviews for Lubbock Senior Link but also reviews
books on her Instagram page @the.rach.reviews and
on her book blog therachreviews.wordpress.com
Lubbock Senior Link 95