PALE MOON RISING

“PALE MOON RISING,” is about Marine combat flying in 1968 Vietnam. Why poetry? Flying is poetry in a blending of man and machine with nature, far above the earth in an environment as harsh, merciless, and unforgiving as it is beautiful. War is brutal, harsh, merciless, ruthless, and final. But in War, Pilots bring their steel machines to life and launch up into the unknown. Together, they streak the vast, silent spaces of clear, blue, icy air. They turn hard, wheel, dive down and drop their bombs, then pull up again and perhaps, roll upside down. Afterwards they coax their steeds back to land, even though they might be shot full of holes and bleeding liquids, whereas a true military mind, may dictate a fast ejection. This is the spirit of combat flight; the dangerous experience which one cannot train for, nor can it be taught; it can only be experienced. If you ever wondered what it was truly like to fly in combat, after this book, perhaps, you will...understand.