New Book Released in Time for Memorial Day: “Letters from THE HEART: A Young Army Doctor’s 1969 Vietnam War Experience”
San Diego, CA, June 09, 2021 - Step back in time with a riveting new book about Vietnam, seen through the lens of an anesthesiologist who saved countless lives during 1969, the year he served in Vietnam.
Letters from THE HEART: A Young Army Doctor’s 1969 Vietnam War Experience by Dr. Jonathan and Sherrie Benumof takes a fascinating look back at the grounding in medicine that Dr. Jonathan L. Benumof received during the Vietnam War. He endured and persevered through the trauma and drama with the love and correspondence with wife Sherrie, often accompanied by her banana oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and preserved in these 282 Letters from The Heart. Dr. Benumof went on to become one of the top Anesthesiologists in the world, publishing numerous definitive books in his field: critical resources that other physicians continue to rely upon.
The book includes an introductory commentary by the authors regarding important issues, events, thoughts and feelings that provides a very helpful context to the rest of the book, as well as a brief look at their lives after 1969. This intimate memoir speaks well to Dr. Benumof's character and his dedication to family and humankind.
Letters from THE HEART provides a fascinating look at history through the daily lens of an intelligent and articulate physician, born in New York, who was drafted to serve in Vietnam for a year. Married to his wife for just 6 months, they agreed to write daily letters to each other, which ultimately became the mental lifeline of hope that sustained Dr. Benumof through a year of disheartening conflict that often seemed to stretch on forever.
Following a mere three months of on-the-job anesthesia training (at his first Army assignment at Fort Knox, Kentucky), the author was sent to serve as an anesthesiologist in his MASH Unit, the 18th Surgical Hospital in the Fire Base "Camp Evans." Located just south of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) in Vietnam, it was considered one of the most dangerous places during the TET offensive, and MD anesthesia providers were badly needed. The author dedicated himself to saving the lives of wounded soldiers to the best of his growing abilities in operating conditions where the heat could exceed 120 degrees and often during constant bombardment by the North Vietnamese Army.
The book is inspiring for all readers as the author depicts his struggles through depression and the monotony of day to day living outside the operating room. His love for his wife and her love for him are a constant within each letter. If he had not received his wife's nearly daily letters, audiotapes, photos and care packages, he probably would not have survived to conquer his anxiety and depression brought on by the horrors of the war. Every day he focused on his hope of returning to start a happy, loving family life with her.
After a year of brutal service in Vietnam, Dr. Benumof returned to the United States and through hard work and dedication became world-renowned as a top Anesthesiologist. His accomplishments revealed the importance of keeping hope in our lives. His year in Vietnam left some lasting scars as he continued to suffer from PTSD and alcoholism for decades after he returned to the United States. With the support of family and others, he eventually sought treatment and has lived a life of sobriety since November 2008.
His time in Vietnam was very difficult and his letters give all of us a front row seat into his thoughts, emotions and the hard work that he did while he was there for the year. Just as important was his determination to do his very best for the soldiers and others he treated and to keep his hope strong for the future.
For his work in Vietnam, he was awarded a prestigious Bronze Star as appreciation for his service. Dr. Benumof shares the impact of the lack of welcome home or gratitude by Americans for those in the military who returned home after their difficult missions. It was not until 2012 that President Barack Obama established the Vietnam War Veterans Day, long overdue.
TITLE: Letters from THE HEART: A Young Army Doctor’s 1969 Vietnam War Experience
Publisher: Park Place Publications
Non-Fiction / Memoir
ISBN: 978-1-95312020-5
6” x 9”, 434 pages
Trade paperback, $24.95 retail
Book release date: April 2021
Available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, other online booksellers
Publicity Contact: Wendy Brickman,
(831) 594-1500 or Brickman@Brickmanmarketing.com
Wendy Brickman
Brickman Marketing
395 Del Monte Center #250
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 594-1500
Brickman@Brickmanmarketing.com
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