My Country To Defend

A.E. Dimond
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook all available
Paperback Price: $21.95
Published: iUniverse, 2004
All formats include a 19-page photo gallery
ISBN: 0-595-33484-9

 
Order by Phone: 1-800-AUTHORS

SOLDIERS' BLOG

Soldiers who served during major combat operations of Operation Iraqi Freedom deployed for the second time to Iraq in January, 2005. The "Soldiers' Blog" offers a forum to post pictures and updates from the members of Alpha Company and their families. We thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers on their behalf.

Date: March 22, 2005

From: Amy Dimond

Subject: Faces of the Fallen

Family members of fallen soldiers SGT Eugene Williams and CPL Michael Curtin attended a special tribute called "Faces of the Fallen" at Arlington on March 22. Artists from around the country were commissioned to paint portraits of each fallen soldier. Also in attendance was the family of fallen soldier SPC Greg Sanders, who died at the hands of a sniper and whose final moments were also depicted in My Country to Defend.

Following "Faces of the Fallen," the friends and families gathered for dinner near Arlington. Pictured left to right are Kasey Thompson, Karen Thompson, Jenny Curtin, Joan Curtin, Stephanie Curtin, Amy Dimond, Brandy and Mya Williams.

Date: March 25, 2005

From: Lt. Col. Todd Wood

Subject: Pictures of Alpha Company, featured in the Army Times

Date: March 29, 2005

From: Brandy Williams

Subject: Remembering March 29, 2003

Brandy Williams, along with friends and her daughters, Mya and Monica, released balloons on March 29 to remember their fallen husband and father, SGT Eugene Williams. Special thoughts go out on this day to the additional families of CPL Michael Curtin, PFC Diego Rincon, and PFC Michael Russell Creighton-Weldon, and to their brothers in Iraq.

Date: April 10, 2005

From: CPL Adrian Cavazos

Subject: Pics from Kuwait and Iraq

Date: April 15, 2005

From: Diane Wood

Subject: Project Schoolhouse

Lt. Col. Todd Wood, has identified an Iraqi school in desperate need of supplies. Donations can be sent to his attention at the address below.

LTC Todd Wood

(project schoolhouse)

HHC 2-7 Inf

FOB Liberty/Danger

APO AE 09383

School supplies needed: wide rule paper, pencils, markers, erasers, erasable pens, folders, binders, color pencils, tape, blunt tip scissors

Sports equipment needed: balls - kick, soccer, basketball, baseball - send  deflated, whiffle ball and bat, gloves, jump rope, sidewalk chalk

Date: April 21, 2005

From: Amy Dimond

Subject: Promotions!!!

Congratulations to Erwin Rendon and Allen Black on their promotions to Specialists! Congratulations to CPL (soon to be SGT) Adrian Cavazos for his promotion to E-5!

Date: April 22, 2005

From: Pam Rendon

Subject: To SPC Erwin Rendon

Lots of love and hugs to daddy in Iraq from Pam and Mary.

Date: April 23, 2005

From: Amy Dimond

Subject: Pics of interest from the book tour

January 17, 2005. Amy Dimond and Mark Kapral left a book in honor of the Outlaw Platoon at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC. The name "Alvin L. Gay," appearing above the book, represents the father of one of Amy Dimond's childhood friends and classmates.

January 23, 2005. We had a lot of shoveling to do at the Curtin home after the book signing in Michael's memory in Howell, NJ. According to his family, Michael always loved the rain...and, for some strange reason, there's something akin to a blizzard or a downpour every time someone tries to plan an event in his honor.

February 2, 2005. SGT Patrick Sawicki's family was able to attend the speaking engagement in Altoon, PA. It was great to see Patricia and Abigail, but we really missed Patrick's political rhetoric!

February 19, 2005. With most of the former Outlaw Platoon in Iraq, SGT Anthony Farina was the only soldier able to attend a book signing with author Amy Dimond in his hometown. SGT Farina is currently stationed at Ft. Bragg where he's preparing to become a Special Forces combat medic. His in-laws, Jack and Tealla Morrison, graciously opened her home to all of us for the weekend. We had a great time in Indiana and Anthony sends his best to his friends in Iraq!

April 19, 2005. A final stop on the book tour for author Amy Dimond at Ft. Stewart...and a hug for SPC Erwin and Pam Rendon's baby.

April 22, 2005. Girls night out in Ft. Stewart with the wives of main character soldiers featured in My Country to Defend. L-R: Diane Wood (wife of LT COL Todd Wood), Amy Dimond (author of My Country to Defend), Amanda Urquhart (wife of SSG Chad Urquhart), and Naemi Cavazos (wife of SGT Adrian Cavazos).

April 23, 2005. A stained glass stepping stone depicting the Gold Star Mother's Flag was placed at four trees along the Warriors Walk, memorializing the fallen soldiers of My Country to Defend. The Warriors Walk is located on post in Ft. Stewart, GA, and pays tribute to the fallen of the War on Terror from the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division. Russell Creighton, father of Michael Russell Creighton-Weldon, assisted Amy Dimond as she placed a stepping stone in his son's memory.

Date: May 5, 2005

From: Pam Rendon

Subject: Happy 1st Anniversary

I've loved you since the first day I met you, Erwin, and I'm so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for the roses. Love, Pam

Date: May 8, 2005

From: Erwin Rendon

Subject: Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day, baby. Love, Erwin

Date: June 19, 2005

From: Mary Rendon

Subject: Happy Father's Day

I love you, Daddy. Come home safe. Mary