I too come from meager beginnings. My family never had a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of. My father is from a small town in western PA (my grandfather died from black lung working in the coal mines). He came to NY when he was young and my mother is from a working class Italian family in Burrough Park Brooklyn.

Prior to 1985' my father worked his way up to a decent position as an insurance salesman for a large company. We did well for a time. Then around 1987' he had a full blown nervous breakdown as a direct result from experiences in Vietnam. I guess he suppressed everything and coupled with post traumatic stress...that was it, he has not been able to work, much less function in any "normal" setting since that time. Any relationship he has had and our family life needless to say had suffered immensely over the years.

Around that time he wanted to obtain (for the first of many times)records concerning his diagnosis and his records from St. Albans va hospital in queens. As he was filing for a disability claim, apparently in 1972 he signed some sort of waver as an uninformed, traumatized youth, in order to leave the hospital. He would have signed anything to go home. I imagine it would be a statement not holding the gov't responsible years later after being hospitalized (again). He needed the help and support of the u.s gov't, however, after he fought, killed men, almost died and lost friends, they had the gaul to say he wasn't in Vietnam! After that had failed to suffice as it was an out right lie, they said well, we are not sure of your service while in Vietnam.

what? My father being contacted for a final time from the v.a.stating his"records" were burned in a "mysterious fire" at the place they were kept.huge blow to my father and our family.as you can imagine he was crushed.in his statement to the v.a. administration (some of which i read) it does not paint the u.s. govt in the best light as to what they had my father and many other veterans of that war do on a daily basis. However, its the truth.

Setting a claim aside for much needed finacial assistance for veteran that put his life on the line and is disabled mentally,just the denial of recongnition for his service is unbeileavable to say the least. He did get an advocate and a va lawyer etc. but they are masters of red tape and my father is disgusted.they are waiting for veterans of that unpopular war to"die out".

Growing up in this environment, I suffered as did my sister and mother. I was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder and post traumatic stress form child hood and experiences on the streets (I was briefly involved with the white power movement and was in California working with Blood & Honor. Lets just say the shit hit the fan MANY times, but I am no longer and have not been associated with them, as I am NOT racist, never raised that way and disagree with everything they stand for. I'm just giving you my history as to why i have issues. So now i get a "pittance" called "social security" from the govt, as does my mother and father. We are all on medication as well. Casualties of war are not always on a battlefield indeed.

I feel your book while being personal relates to a lot of these universal issues. My family's situation and yours, particularly the war of the rich, which i have seen and felt on working,lower class peoples. When you spoke of being "off" Pete, I felt like I was back at school. Unpleasant, but truly honest. The early school days I can totally relate. I can't wait to read it. As a side note i have also read the works of Tolstoy,Marx,and Che' all very informative insightful material. I would put your work in a similar category. Please excuse such a long letter but i felt i couldn't keep it short and give the full spectrum of our situation as it relates to your book. I hope you are proud of it, I am and I know Archie is.

- Steve