By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
I have been writing Soldier since March of 2011, and of all the nearly three hundred that I have penned, this is hands down the hardest one, ever. I wrestled through tears because of knowing that I needed to write it, but having that knowledge and following through on sending this all over the planet are two entirely different things. You might be tempted to ask, “Why is this such a big deal?” Because it has to do with stolen valor, and while that singular disgrace happens in every generation, the stolen valor that occurred during the war in Viet Nam was particularly damaging, and nearly a half-century later, people are still crippled by it. And, for my part, I am wholly uninterested in causing pain. I’ve done enough of that, and “she that hath been forgiven much, loveth much.”
There is a marvelous and nearly maddeningly well-written novel written by one of my favorite authors, multiple New York Times best-selling author, Charles Martin. It is called Send Down The Rain, and in a word, it undid me. Martin is one of the best when it comes to juggling plots, sub-plots, and characters with colorful and complicated pasts. In addition, through each of his books, Martin weaves the gospel into what becomes a masterful tapestry. What is especially remarkable is how he manages to do so in a compelling way that is also entirely human.
I promise that I will not give away much, but there is more than one character that looks like they could be the stolen valor “perp.” And, in each case, the idea that they could have engaged in such a high level of betrayal of those who served honorably in a highly unpopular war is aggravating, to say the least. That being said, whether or not you served in ‘Nam, this book is for you. If you were alive in the era, this book is for you. If you have a dad or an uncle or a grandparent that never has been able to say a word about the topic, this book is for you. And, if you know absolutely nothing about the times or the trauma that is uniquely attached to it, this book is for you.
If I were going to thrust a book into the hands of any ‘Nam vet that may or may not be struggling with stuff that still isn’t resolved, Send Down The Rain would be what I would use to open the discussion. And, it’s not just ‘Nam vets. I know guys who came back from Iraq and they are still broken. I would want them to read it as well, because the issues are timeless.
Charles Martin is in his early fifties, and could not have experienced any of what is in Rain first hand. I don’t even know how he could have listened to the stories of others, or researched deeply enough to be able to make you want to stay up all night and read in bed like a kid with a flashlight. The book makes you want to get saved all over again, forgive everyone who has ever hurt you, and forgive yourself. Get it, check it out, devour it, and then, go back and read it again. You will never be the same, and I think for most of us, that is a good thing.
By: Ali Elizabeth Turner
September 6, 2024
