Bullets and Bandages was inspired from the stories of the author's brother who was a US Army Field Medic with an elite Rescue and Recon Platoon, Vietnam 68-69. Through those stories, the author found the inspiration and was given the unique insight into the Bullets and Bandages of war. Parts of this book are also about the author's own experiences, and that special time in our history. The trails and victories of Rob and his comrades pull you into a world of survival through willpower, tenacity, and wit. This story is not only an adventurous thriller, but is also a story of love, humanity, and overcoming. CHAPTER 1- EXCERPT- BULLETS AND BANDAGES Some memories exist because they are etched into one's mind with fire and anguish of true experience, not by choice. From my tour of duty in Vietnam, I am filled with the experiences that cannot be wiped away. I can recall the events, the names and the faces as if they had been in front of me only a short time ago. To this day, I thank the Lord in my prayers for helping me survive. Sometimes, I dream of the tranquil rice fields or of the hot steamy jungles----- very quite and peaceful. Occasionally, the dreams are of the men that I could not save, and of the ghastly shadows of my enemies. These images are a contradictory and discordant collage of the real horror of war. I have no misgivings about what was done; I was a soldier doing my duty for my country, in a war far away from my home. It was a war where our forces could not fully engage the enemy. The Army could not move on a strategic offensive and take the ground war into Hanoi or Cambodia. I had to learn a new type of warfare or would not have survived. After some time, I began to know the enemy and anticipate his movements. My unit traveled the jungles in platoons of heavy infantry in search of Charlie. Our nerves were constantly on edge. It was a guerrilla war, and I learned to adapt. With a little time, my platoon began to work together. We learned to think like the enemy and use our instincts to fight together as a team. When the enemy would stand and fight, we fought back until they ran. Unfortunately, I knew before long those same troops would try to sneak up on us again. Copyright Robert Saniscalchi 2007