Publisher's Synopsis
A stark look at Vietnam Veterans, the War and how We let Them down. This is a Call To Duty for everyone to thank your Veterans today, and a reminder to the media and politicians to value every soldier as if they were their own sons and daughters. Without a nation's support, soldiers cannot survive.
- Brian Williams; Major, U.S. Army
Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) and Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan)
"Dusty" Earl Trimmer's "Condemned Property" is an extremely personal and comprehensive outline of multiple aspects of the Vietnam War. While written primarily for the benefit of his fellow veterans, he has captured the essence of those multiple aspects of the war for all readers. From his experiences in the jungle of Vietnam to dealing with his own post-traumatic stress (PTSD) and physical ailments, returning to the hostile environment of the population, betrayal by the government in accepting its role of caring for and compensating those affected veterans, "Condemned Property" presents a journey from pre-war innocence to today's political circumstance. "Condemned Property" is in the spirit of the philosopher George Santayana's saying, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
- William E. Cornell Jr.; Author
President, Cornell & Associates
Dusty, this is such a great book. Your memories and stories are very moving an I am sure that writing this book has been a great catharsis for you. I applaud you for having the courage to actually put it in a written format (after actually writing it in your head for all these years!). These stories need to be told. This book needs to be published.
- LaDonna Herrera; President/CEO
Marketing Ideas & Designs
"Dusty" Earl Trimmer came down to see me in Columbus, Ohio in March 1968, just a couple days before he was scheduled to leave for Vietnam. I was at Ohio State University and living in the Delta Chi Fraternity House. At the time I thought that I was a little something just because I was pledge class president and a member of the Ohio State wrestling team...that was before I received letters from Nam, from Dusty...before he earned his many military medals/accolades. Then I saw how small I was in comparison...and how small some of my buddy All-Americans at other universities were in comparison to what Dusty and his Nam-mates were doing. I have known "Dusty" Earl Trimmer, who is the author of Condemned Property? Soldiers of the Vietnam War for over forty years. If I could only use three words to describe him, they would be: passionate, fearless, and straightforward. This description and more is why I recommend his book as "must reading" for anyone...veteran and non-veteran alike that wants greater insights into the truths about the Vietnam War, it's devastating aftermath, and how combat soldiers and those who love them are coping with both...today. I have read it twice. It will move you, teach you, motivate you and it may change you because you read it.
- Gary Ockunzzi; Lifelong Friend
Korean DMZ Conflict Veteran, U.S. Navy
Condemned Property? was an eye opening and emotional read for my entire family. Never having been exposed to the raw truths of the Vietnam War, it was heart wrenching to learn of the ultimate sacrifice made by Vietnam Combat Vets to protect OUR freedom, the horror and trauma they endured, their strong bond of brotherhood, sheer determination to survive and lack of respect by our citizens upon their return. We owe a debt of gratitude to the author for putting pen to paper to create a powerfully true vision of the life of a Combat Infantry Warrior in the Vietnam War and his continued fight for survival today.
- Cheryl Strenk, Wife & Mother
