"Succession" An Outstanding Novel by Herbert Lobsenz

I just completed reading an outstanding novel by Harper Prize Winner author Herbert Lobsenz.  This book is an awesome page turner. I relaxed on Sunday morning picked up the book and spent 6 1/2 hours reading this splendid story that has the back drop of the 60s. The novel takes place at the end of the Kennedy Camelot period.   The main character is Jake Garrison who is tasked to take care of his dying father who wants nothing but to die with dignity and asks Jake for his assistance.  Jake is a paranoid individual that is a New York big business hatchet man who becomes a partner to a sleazy associate. His associate asks Jake to downsize Kennsington Typewriters, a once successful but now failing company.  Jake's wife, Diane, is carrying his  child but not sure if it is his.    Who can you trust?  What side are these characters on as they try to out manipulate one another?  Excellent reading and definitely a quality page turner with a few twists and turns.  I highly recommend this to all my followers of The 60s Official Site. 

 

Altamont Augie

Yesterday I received the book "Altamont Augie" from author Richard Barager.  I began reading it as soon as I opened the package and finished the novel this morning.  What a ride!!!  Being a Vietnam War veteran it awoke many forgotten memories of that time in history that many of us tried to forget. Nonetheless one of the best books about the sixties, Vietnam War, the culture and the events of that period of time.

The author succeeds in bringing to life  fictional characters woven into true life events during the turbulent sixties.  This story takes us through the battle of Khe Sahn in Vietnam to a Midwestern campus split between hate and support for the war. This story details the undying love between two college students who are so different  .  The roller coaster ride continues with each page you turn.  I could not put the book down and wanted more.

Definitely first rate and highly recommended.  A theatrical movie should be made from this book.  Thank you Richard for sharing this with me.

This World Needs More Old Geezers

Geezers" (slang for an old man) are easy to spot:

At sporting events, during the playing of the National Anthem, Old Geezers hold their caps over their hearts and sing without embarrassment.

They know the words and believe in them. Old Geezers remember World War I, the Depression, World War II, Pearl Harbor, Guadalcanal, Normandy and Hitler. They remember the Atomic Age, the Korean War, The Cold War, the Jet Age and the Moon Landing, not to mention Vietnam.

If you bump into an Old Geezer on the sidewalk, he will apologize. If you pass an Old Geezer on the street, he will nod or tip his cap to a lady.

Old Geezers trust strangers and are courtly to women. Old Geezers hold the door for the next person and always, when walking, make certain the lady is on the inside for protection.

Old Geezers get embarrassed if someone curses in front of women and children and they don't like any filth on TV or in movies. Old Geezers have moral courage.

They seldom brag unless it's about their grandchildren. It's the Old Geezers who know our great country is protected, not by politicians or police, but by the young men and women in the military serving their country.

This country needs Old Geezers with their decent values. We need them now more than ever. Thank God for Old Geezers!

Visit this old Geezer's Website

Ann Margaret's Love for the Vietnam Veteran

Nobody can ever doubt the love and respect Ann Margaret has for the Veterans of the Vietnam War. Her love and respect is not only displayed in words but actions. She is one of the most patriotic Hollywood celebrities that I know. I want to share with my readers an example of her generosity and love with the following true story .

Richard, (my husband), never really talked a lot about his time in Vietnam other than he had been shot by a sniper. However, he had a rather grainy, 8 x 10 black and white photo he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago, Ann Margaret was doing a book signing at a local bookstore. Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photo so he arrived at the bookstore at 12 o'clock for the 7:30 signing. When I got there after work, the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind a parking garage. Before her appearance, bookstore employees announced that she would sign only her book and no memorabilia would be permitted.

Richard was disappointed, but wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to lonely GI's so far from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as beautiful as ever and, as second in line, it was soon Richard's turn.

He presented the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did, there were many shouts from the employees that she would not sign it. Richard said, "I understand. I just wanted her to see it."She took one look at the photo, tears welled up in her eyes and she said, "This is one of my gentlemen from Vietnam and I most certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I always have time for 'my gentlemen.'"With that, she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made quite a to-do about the bravery of the young men she met over the years, how much she admired them, and how much she appreciated them. There weren't too many dry eyes among those close enough to hear. She then posed for pictures and acted as if he was the only one there.









Later at dinner, Richard was very quiet. When I asked if he'd like to talk about it, my big strong husband broke down in tears. "That's the first time anyone ever thanked me for my time in the Army," he said. That night was a turning point for him. He walked a little straighter and, for the first time in years, was proud to have been a Vet. I'll never forget Ann Margaret for her graciousness and how much that small act of kindness meant to my husband.

Being a Vietnam Veteran myself, I cannot thank Ann Margaret and other celebrities like her enough who gave up their precious time to bring a little bit of home to each of us while we served so far away. God Bless them all.

To everybody else, if you haven't done so today thank a vet for their sacrifice to allow all of us to have what we all take for granted, our freedom.

Watch He's My Brother, A Salute to the Vietnam Veteran

More information about the Vietnam War and the 60s.

Vets and others start your own homebased business.

The 60s Is Alive and Well at Creekview High School

The sophomore English Class of Mrs. Efaw has re-opened the door to the 60s. My granddaughter and other students in her English class were assigned projects related to the 60s decade. Why I mention this is that I was privileged to be interviewed by Rebecca, my granddaughter on what it was like growing up in the 60s.

I must admit the questions were very open-ended and thought provoking. Rebecca's project covered the fashions of the era but many of her questions were not related to fashion. She had to tie everything together, I was told. One question in particular was "What kind of music did I listen to when I was growing up and who was my favorite group?" Of course there were so many artists back then that I really enjoyed, so it was difficult to pick a favorite so I chose one that I saw live. "The Lovin' Spoonful." They were really at the top of my list anyway. Somehow I brought up the topic of the permissive and lewd lyrics allowed in today's music. I remember we would have to take lyrics from songs and make up our own interpretation An example that comes to mind is the Kingsmen's Louie Louie. Also I recall when the Rolling Stones appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, when they had to change the lyrics of Let's Spend the Night Together to Let's Spend Some Time Together to appease Ed Sullivan and the censors. Times have changed. I don't believe parents either care or really know what kind of songs and lyrics that our grandchildren and children listen to. Songs of hatred, racism, killing and so forth. It disturbs me.

Why an English class was studying the 60s, I don't have a clue. I could understand if she was trying to determine what slang of the era was prevalent. I guess it would have made more sense to me if it was in History or a Global class.

What I do know that it created an interest in a decade where most of the students had to come to a grandparent who lived during that time. Kind of scary for us isn't it? I remember talking to my grandparents about the Depression and here we are reliving and telling our experiences about the 60s. To me it doesn't seem that long ago but to these kids it probably seemed like ancient times.

During the interview we talked about what we did for entertainment, clothes I wore, cruising, and of course the Vietnam War. I was also asked what I had planned to do after high school and if I actually did what I had planned. Where was this leading to? I don't think I had any plans after high school that were concrete. Kids haven't changed that much since we were growing up. Most of us yesterday and most of them today still don't have a clue on what they really want to do. Most will say they are going to attend college but not a definite of what I am going to be.

Rebecca asked me how involved, we were in politics during the 1960s. I think we were involved just as much as they are NOT MUCH AT ALL. We couldn't vote until we were 21 and now our young people can exercise their right at 18 but that hasn't increased the younger generation involvement.

I do recall having a mock election in the 7th grade when Nixon and Kennedy were running against each other. I played Lyndon Johnson, the running mate of John F. Kennedy. We had debates and everything. Today's kids don't know who the Speaker of the House is or the majority and minority leader of either house of Congress. I know this because I asked my granddaughter and she is an excellent student. Amazing, huh?

I was also asked what affect did the Vietnam War had on me. First of all, I am a Vietnam veteran who served with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. I believe we were doing the right thing trying to protect the South Vietnamese from Communism. Even after all these years I still believe we were doing the right thing, but a political war can never be won. When politicians interfere with the military leadership and keep their hands tied then you can never win. We as Vietnam veterans were let down. The United States was not allowed to win. I still think there are many wounds that will never be healed over that war.

I am so glad I had the opportunity to spend some time with Rebecca and share my experiences of the 60s, what I believe and even historians agree was the most historical time of modern history.

Yes, the 60s is alive and well at Creekview High School at least for this past week.

It is always alive and well at my website The 60s Official Site.