Semper Cool: One Marine's Fond Memories of Vietnam
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I hope you all agree. That would be truly Semper Cool.
Author’s Note and Acknowledgements
I have done my best to write this memoir honestly and accurately. I relied on my memories and on the recollections of my fellow Marines. We did not keep journals or log books and many stories of heroism and courage were left on the battlefield. Combat is a close companion of chaos, and therefore minor discrepancies are inevitable, but I held myself to a standard of under-exaggeration and I am confident that I have captured my experience of the Vietnam War as accurately as humanly possible. It is my sincerest hope that my fellow Vietnam veterans are as proud of this book as I am of their service, sacrifice and camaraderie.
The Marines I fought with are some of the best and bravest men our country has ever offered. Many of their lives were cut short by enemy fire, but they did not die in vain and they are not forgotten. I owe my life to the Marines who mentored me and to those who led us in combat. I am humbled by the bravery and selflessness of the Marines I fought with in Echo Company. You are all heroes to me.
I thank my mother Ronnie, my wife Linda, my daughter Desiree and her friends Tania and Tara, my grandson Ryan and my godson Ross for their support. I thank the many advance readers who offered valuable feedback and constructive criticism. I thank the Lucas family for permission to use Mike’s photos and their contribution to the success of Semper Cool.
Writing a book is a monumental task, but it is only the beginning. Semper Cool would not have been possible without my publisher, Taylor Dye, and his team of editors, including Dan Murray, James Wade and Sharon Nettles. My original manuscript was more than 600 pages of war stories that Taylor’s team was able to weave into a flowing narrative while preserving the tone and voice of my writing. I give them credit for the strengths of this work and take personal responsibility for any of its shortcomings. I thank my personal publicist and friend Lisa Feuer for her many contributions, suggestions and support.
Finally I want to thank the people of the United States of America and the current generation of warriors who have volunteered to protect our freedoms. Every dollar I earn from this book belongs to those of you who were physically wounded fighting for America in Iraq and Afghanistan. Financial requests should be made through my foundation at: www.sempercool.com/bff. I am proud of all of you, and your country is grateful.
Stay cool!
Barry
National POW/MIA
Recognition Day
The third Friday of September is National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Many Americans would like to honor our nation's Prisoners of War and Missing in Action, but are not sure how.
I suggest setting a traditional remembrance table at your family dinner, or requesting one be set at your favorite restaurant. The tradition takes only a few minutes and is a small but meaningful gesture to those who have perhaps made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
Here is a list of the items required:
Small American Flag
Small round table
White tablecloth
Single place setting
Pinch of salt sprinkled on plate
Wine glass – inverted
Slice of lemon on bread plate with a pile of spilled salt
Small bud vase with a single stem red rose
Red ribbon tied around the vase
White candle – lit
Empty chair
This is a suggested passage to be read, or considered:
This table is our way of symbolizing the fact that brave Americans are missing from our midst. They are commonly called POWs or MIAs, we call them “warriors.” They are unable to be with us this evening and so we remember them.
This Table, set for one, is small and symbolizes the frailty of one prisoner alone against his oppressors.
The Tablecloth is white and symbolizes the purity of their intentions to respond to their country’s call to arms.
The single rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose also reminds us of the family and friends of our missing warriors who keep the faith, while awaiting their return.
The vase is tied with a yellow ribbon and represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of the thousands who demand with unyielding determination a proper accounting of our comrades who are not among us tonight.
The lit candle symbolizes the light of hope which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.
A slice of lemon is on the bread plate to remind us of their bitter fate.
The salt sprinkled on the plate reminds us of the countless fallen tears of families as they wait.
The wine glass is inverted because they cannot toast with us this night.
The chair is empty. They are not here.
The American Flag reminds us that many of them may never return - and have paid the supreme sacrifice to ensure our freedom.
Let us remember - and never forget their sacrifice.
May God forever watch over them and protect them and their families.
About the Author
Barry Fixler is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 and fought on Hill 861-A during the legendary Siege of Khe Sanh.
After receiving an honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 1973, Fixler used the G.I. Bill to finance his undergraduate degree from the Gemological Institute of America and joined his father in the jewelry business. Today he lives with his wife Linda in Bardonia, N.Y., where he owns Barry’s Estate Jewelry.
Barry enjoyed national notoriety after successfully defending his life and jewelry store against two would-be armed robbers on Valentine’s Day 2005. The point blank shootout was captured by a security camera and was made into a segment for truTV's Most Shocking Videos series. The raw footage of the gunfight is also a popular video on YouTube, which you can find by visiting the Semper Cool Web site: www.sempercool.com
Barry has long been aware of his good fortune and has made a point of sharing it. He has aided numerous wounded Marines and soldiers, to whom his loyalties are obvious, but has also helped people who have had no connections to the military. In recognition of his good citizenship and humanitarian efforts, Barry was named 2009 Veteran of the Year by the Rockland County Veterans Coordinating Council.
Barry is donating all of his royalties from Semper Cool to physically wounded combat veterans and the families of our fallen warriors. You can learn more about Barry’s foundation, The Barry Fixler Foundation*, and monitor the progress of his million dollar goal on his Web site: www.sempercool.com.
Barry welcomes all feedback and questions. His contact information is listed at the end of the next section.
*All of the administrative expenses associated with The Barry Fixler Foundation are paid out Barry's own pocket.
7 Ways to Support
SEMPER COOL
Here's how you can help Barry reach his goal of raising one million dollars for wounded combat veterans.
Write a review on Amazon.com, BN.com, Borders.com, or a book review Web site like goodreads.com, and post a link to the review on Barry's Facebook page.
Purchase another copy as a gift for someone.
Find out if your local bookstores have copies on the shelves, and if not, let them know how much you enjoyed it and encourage them to stock it.
Ask your local library to order a copy if they haven't already done so.
Recommend Semper Cool to other readers, and let them know that Barry donates all of his royalties to wounded combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.
Invite Barry to give an exciting and inspirational presentation at your organization's next event.
Write letters to radio or television talk show hosts recommending Barry as a guest.
Barry's Contact Information:
The Barry Fixler Foundation
295 Route 304
Bardonia, NY 10954
Phone: (845) 624-7100
E-mail: barry@sempercool.com
Web site: sempercool.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SemperCoolBook
Additional Photos
You have access to the author's online photo album created exclusively for readers of the e-book version of Semper Cool.
Web site URL: www.sempercool.com/photoalbum/
Password: staycool