Every war has at least two sides; and both experience constant heartache and occasional glory. Sometimes the cruelty of war just doesn't make sense; and sometimes the little blessings help soldiers make it through another day of searing-hot or freezing-cold temperatures. With 42 years in the military; Lt. Col. Gil Wilke has first-hand experience of the parts of war glorified in movies and the parts of war the average civilian never hears about. He has collected stories from both friend and foe; and neither is identified here. The story could be told by any side during any war through recent history. The common threads include the seeming randomness of events; some choices saving lives; other choices costing lives. A can of tomatoes stops a bullet meant for one soldier; while a limb from an isolated tree falls at the wrong second and kills another. Lieutenant Colonel Gil Wilke was born in Secaucus; New Jersey. While still attending Union Hill High School; he enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve and went to sea for the first time. On his twenty-first birthday he enlisted in the Army; and after attending Officers Training School at Fort Benning; Georgia. he was commissioned a second lieutenant. He served in the Korean War; returned home and married Etta Leshowitz in 1955. After the couple had two daughters; Lee and Lauren.; Wilke was then solicited by a neighbor to join the Army Reserve Engineer Battalion; from which he retired as Battalion Commander. In 1973; Wilke earned a diploma from Command and General Staff College and decided to continue his civilian education at Fairleigh Dickinson University. While in college; he wrote his first story; "Hector of Company L." In 1990; he retired from the military after a 42-year career. He and Etta live in Manahawkin; N.J.
#1814185 in Books Cosimo Classics 2008-07-31Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 10.00 x .60 x 7.00l; 1.02 #File Name: 1605201391264 pages
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. Notes from the early 1800s on the ancient star constellationsBy N. BrooksThis book was a pioneering work by an English lady on the star constellations. This is a fascinating book of her notes and discoveries on the beliefs of early civilizations about the original 48 star constellations. The first constellation was The Virgin; sometimes referred to as "the virgin who will conceive." (Remember that Mary was a virgin when she gave birth to Jesus.) The second constellation was sometimes called The Desire of Nations. It showed a young male child being held by the Virgin. The ancient Jews and Arabs said that the meaning of the original 48 constellations were explained by Enoch; and that they told the story of God's plan for mankind from beginning to end. This book is basically notes on the meaning of the constellations. If you like this book; there are others that you will also want to buy; that explain the "Gospel in the Stars" in more detail.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. The Best!By L. RobinsonEven though some have criticized this book for its content; I; on the other hand am very happy with it. It is one of the most thoroughly researched manuscripts of its time. It expanded my horizon and caused other ideas about the universe to make sense.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Five StarsBy Mr. S. K. JonesGround breaking discoveries in there day. The heavens do declare the glory of God.
