Author Signing with William (Bill) Graser

William R. Graser enlisted in the US Army in 1965 and was recruited by the US Army Security Agency. He was a Sergeant First Class and his assignments included Republic of Korea, Republic of Vietnam, Kingdom of Thailand, Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany), occupied West Berlin—and the US Army Security Agency’s headquarters at Arlington Hall Station in Virginia. His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal with four loops, Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Vietnam Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Upon retirement, he was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal for superior meritorious service while serving with the US Army Field Station Berlin.

He continued to serve as the senior volunteer/family readiness group leader (2007-2012) with the 1st Battalion, 304th Regiment, 4th Brigade, 98th Division (Training), U.S. Army Reserve Center, 64 Harvey Road, Londonderry, New Hampshire. Twice he was awarded the Patriotic Civilian Service Award for organizing mobilization events and the unit recruitment efforts during this period.

About the Books:

Smell the Gunpowder: The Land of the Morning Calm (Copyright 2023) is inspired by true events and veterans’ firsthand accounts of Americans who served in Korea. Because of these veterans, the Republic of Korea remains a free sovereign nation, and one of the strongest and wealthiest countries in Asia. Today, North Korea continues to have a nuclear arsenal and is one of the most militarized countries in the world—creating a critical security challenge. Concerns about North Korea and its intentions remain at the highest level since the end of the 1950s and 1960s Korean Conflicts. South Korea has urged the United States and North Korea to reach a formal peace agreement ending the decades-long conflict. The outcome of a peace agreement is uncertain, and Smell the Gunpowder makes no pretense of providing the complete account of the undeclared, unconventional struggles that have gripped Korea since 1945, although it may serve to refocus attention on a most intriguing chapter in the annals of American and Korean history. Smell the Gunpowder: The Land of the Morning Calm continues with the Singapore Summit 2018 (Singapore), the Hanoi Summit 2019 (Socialist Republic of Vietnam), North Korea’s hostile threat of nuclear conflict along with the economic and social impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Veterans' Reflections

The military service of millions of Americans is reflected in these stories. They will put you in the middle of the action of our nation's wars. Through firsthand accounts of veterans who served during World War II, the Cold War, Korean War, Vietnam War, the Quiet War, and Operations Desert Storm and Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan); you'll find yourself paying tribute to each and every veteran. The stories of personal sacrifice, commitment, and valor demonstrate the values that have made the United States of America the envy of the world. Sixty veterans recall their time in uniform, sharing stories that are both funny and heart wrenching. These stories provide an excellent opportunity to gain an understanding and appreciation of veterans. Celebrate what is means to be an American devoted to freedom with Veterans' Reflections. As a veteran himself, the author is obviously very close to this work, and it shows not only in his passion for his subject, but also in his attention to detail. His method, which weaves the veterans' own stories into an historical overview of a specific conflict, is extremely effective. The soldiers' accounts go well beyond the war's scorecard and reveal some of the actual fears and experiences of the participants. Anyone can tell the facts behind a story, but those who have lived it can share insights no secondhand history can match. - Premium US Reviews

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