Back cover:
"All war is horrific and life-altering. Most of those who do the fighting are unable to speak about it openly. But the act of sharing their experience with others can be life-affirming. These are the raw war poems of Vietnam veteran Marine Cpl. Rod Padilla. They are a spontaneous outpouring of his battlefield experience years after the event. The voice is authentic. The poems are unedited. It is hoped that the publication of this book may help alleviate the suffering of others. A sense of the emotional depth and immediacy of the poems is best illustrated by this wall rubbing of the name of Rod Padilla's fallen brother from the Vietnam veteran's memorial.

Rod Padilla lives in Montara, California with his wife and family. he recently retired froma long career in youth education, and now spends much of his time in veteran affairs and community service. His hobby is rebuilding vintage muscle cars.