Shades of Darkness; A black soldier's journey through Vietnam, blindness, and back
Silver Spring, MD: George E. Brummell c/o Pie Publishing, 2006. Presumed First Edition, First printing. Trade paperback. xvii. [3], 347, [1] pages. Inscribed by the author on the half-title page. Inscription reads To Gene G. E. Brummell. Cover has slight curl at front edges. Author's Note. "My mother had tried to run me down and then threatened to shoot me, a stranger tried to seduce me at a urinal, and now this guy was acting like a child with a rag doll. Was there something about being blind that made me a target for crazy people?" This is the story of a black soldier's journey through Vietnam, blindness, and back. Funny, risqué, bittersweet, and inspiring, a memoir of growing up black in rural Maryland, joining the Army at age 17, posted to Korea, then Germany, and finally Vietnam in 1966 where the author was blinded by a landmine and had to learn to live with blindness, and overcome life's obstacles with determination, humor, and humility. A touching, funny, sexy memoir about both the African American experience and learning to live on the other side of darkness. George Brummell returned to Vietnam in 1998 on a goodwill tour. He rode with bicycling champion Greg LeMond, perched on the back of a two-seater with other wounded veterans from both sides of the conflict. The author became the National Field Service Director of the Blinded Veterans Association. The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) is a U.S non-profit organization that was established to "help veterans and their families meet and overcome the challenges of blindness". Services from BVA are available to all veterans who have become blind, either during or after active duty. The BVA employs Field Service Representatives, who have been strategically placed in different geographical areas throughout the United States. Their goal is to locate and assist blinded veterans in overcoming the challenges inherent in sight loss. Since all of the Field Representatives are legally blind veterans themselves, they can be effective role models in demonstrating that fellow veterans can take charge of their lives. Field Representatives are responsible for linking veterans with local services, assuring that the newly blinded take advantage of VA Blind Rehabilitation Services, and assisting them with VA claims when necessary. When blinded veterans are ready to return to the workforce, BVA Field Representatives can assist them with employment training and placement. Condition: Very good.
Keywords: Vietnam War, Blindness, Wounded, African-American, Maryland, United States Army, Veterans, Disability, Handicap, Recovery, Rehabilitation
ISBN: 0978891708
[Book #84234]
Price: $125.00