Pennies from Vietnam

""I don't have the words to articulate how this story has affected me. As an active military sailor, I feel akin to Larry, unable to articulate the complexity of emotions that swirl inside. They demand expression while being denied the tools or words to do so. Know that Larry's story of silent pain is echoed in service members today and stories like his need to be told. Thank you, Tracy, for telling your brother's story so eloquently.""-CTR1 Russ Sampson, U.S. Navy Active Duty ""Pennies from Vietnam is an immersive account of the author's brother's service in the U.S. Army's First Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War. Many veterans and military families will resonate with this story. In this moving book by Tracy Smith, Larry's revealing words help us all understand why our fathers and brothers who served in the war were challenged to discuss anything about it. Through personal letters home, the reader takes a front seat to the bravery, camaraderie, and harsh realities of war. The portrayal of combat's boredom, danger, and utter brutality, offers a raw and honest look at the soldiers' internal struggles and effects on the family. While the author doesn't shy away from the controversial aspects of the war, she pays tribute to the sacrifices of these heroes who did what their country asked of them, and the families who prayed for them.""-Amy Peacock, coauthor of Old Breed General ""a poignant memoir that chronicles the emotional toll of war on a soldier and those he leaves behind. ...a thought-provoking story that explores the complexities of war and its impact on veterans and their families. The narrative is engaging and emotional, covering the social and psychological strain that the Vietnam War inflicted on American society during that era. Larry Ray Smith's letters, along with Tracy Smith's reflections, transport readers to the turbulent time of the war and remind them of the individual stories and struggles that often get overlooked in historical narratives. ...this is a must-read, offering valuable lessons about the personal and societal costs of war.""-Reader's Favorite ""As a Vietnam Veteran, Pennies from Vietnam touched me on several levels. Larry's story is emblematic of the over 2 million young men and women who served our country in Vietnam. Nearly 60,000 young Americans died in that unpopular war; tens of thousands more like Larry bore the traumatic scars that eventually contributed to their untimely deaths. Although their deaths are tragic, we should give praise and thanks for their examples of selfless service which Larry exemplified. We must strive to prove ourselves worthy of their sacrifice.""-Colonel Russ Olson, Citadel graduate, veteran and historian ""As the crowned Miss America, I had the privilege of connecting with the brave souls of the First Cavalry Division on my visit to the Vietnam War. Their unwavering protection and camaraderie became the cornerstone of an unforgettable chapter in my life. Yet, amidst the melodies of song and dance shared in gratitude with the soldiers, I bore witness to the harsh reality awaiting these heroes when they returned home. Pennies from Vietnam and stories like it shed light on the profound impact of war on our young people and the aftermath of trauma left in its wake.""-Jane Jayroe Gamble, Miss America 1967 ""The undercurrents from Pennies from Vietnam pull you into the life of a young man and his family who were changed by the traumas of war. Larry's letters are poignant not only because of what he said but because of what he didn't say. Let this be a reminder for all of those suffering...trauma is a creeping weed, the unattended roots of which can smother families for generations.""-Dr. Holly Richmond, Ph.D. somatic psychotherapist and author of Reclaiming Pleasure