Called To Arms Again

by J.L. Salter

Grit doesn’t fade away... it just becomes crusty. With harrowing elements right out of today’s headlines, this story reaches back into the sturdy heartbeat of people raised during the Depression and tested during World War II. Though the old uniforms haven’t fit in many decades, their resilient spirits still have that same intensity which helped save democracy.


Needing only a fresh angle to write her Veteran’s Day special, Kelly discovers first-hand that the Greatest Generation still has enough grit to fight back. While all the authorities are occupied during a massive Homeland Security drill, an urban gang of thieves targets an isolated retirement subdivision... figuring the crippled geriatrics would offer no resistance.


Though Kelly’s widowed boyfriend came along only for a post-funeral luncheon, Mitch soon finds himself leading a mismatched flanking team. Kelly’s good friend Wade has his own assignment, with a homemade mortar and lots of illegal gunpowder.


Maybe it’s difficult to remember everyday things like taking pills, but these octogenarians have never forgotten it was up to them to defend family, home, and community. The outcome of their courageous stand depends on the resolve and resourcefulness of an unlikely ensemble of eccentric elderly neighbors, several American Legion members, and others spanning four generations.

412 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2013

About the author

Published in fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
Retired library administrator; previously a photo-journalist; veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Husband, father, and grandfather.

Reviews

[John Babb · Rating 5 out of 5]

J.L. Salter's story, "Called to Arms Again" poses the question to all of us, "What would YOU do if your and your community was faced with an attack by an armed force, determined to rob, steal, and kill if necessary in order to get what they want? The heroes in this story are, at first glance, an unlikely lot. Most of them are veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, mixed with a handful of wives and girlfriends, and even one granddaughter. They all live in a retiree community, and during a dinner party, discover that their entire community of homes is systematically being broken into and robbed of anything of any value by a gang of nineteen heavily armed punks. Because the surrounding community is undergoing a disaster drill, all first responders are otherwise occupied, plus they temporarily have no phone or internet service. What would YOU do? Salter answers this question in a very interesting, and satisfying manner. All hands on deck! Very enjoyable read.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very satisfying story

Salter’s story “Called to Arms Again”, reflects on our parent’s generation , and how they might react to a direct threat to their homes and lives by a gang of thieves who are willing to run roughshod over a retirement community to include violence. The novel basically asKs us “What would you do if this happened to you. Loved the premise and the story.

[Charles A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This outstanding book is a very fresh and original tribute to "the Greatest Generation," the one which survived the Great Depression and won World War II. Seventy years ago they defeated the totalitarian aggressors of the Axis Powers and preserved our freedom and democracy. This fictionalized book asks and answers the amazing question, could the survivors of that generation, now with creaky limbs and using canes or wheel-chairs, rise to a related challenge now? Would the younger generations stand beside them and fight for their rights against a band of criminals and thugs?

It seems a small neighborhood that caters to senior citizens is one of many in a sparsely populated Kentucky county that will be cut off from outside contact for a few hours due to a widespread civil defense drill. Knowing that, a pack of young criminals picks exactly that time to invade the neighborhood and rob all their homes. The gang leader feels confident that the old fogeys will just run away or hide and offer no resistance. He sees an easy path to an instant fortune.

But the old war vets still have their memories, their pride, a few of their weapons...and some real grit. All these years they have remained friends in the American Legion and performed together as a uniformed Honor Guard on ceremonial occasions. Pete, the crusty old combat sergeant from the Battle of the Bulge, still knows how to organize the troops, develop and communicate strategy, and to boost morale. Ellie, the retired nurse, can still stop bleeding and bind wounds and--when the situation calls for it--wield a mean Louisville Slugger. Will the younger generations in the neighborhood, including a few vets from Vietnam and the Gulf wars, bond with their elders and provide the physical strength and stamina for the group to mount an effective resistance?

This story is a marvelous work of art. It will make you cheer, laugh, and maybe cry...sometimes all at once. It is riveting and absorbing, placing the reader right in the thick of the action, making him wonder what he would do if everything he knew and cared about was under sudden assault. You could go to any bookstore and find a thousand romance or mystery or adventure books, but I don't know of another one like this. Do yourself a favor and don't miss this unique and very special book.