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Static Lines: Letters From a Kansas City Paratrooper
It was Christmastime, 2010, in Billings, Montana, when my father-in-law handed me a shoebox. Its contents, unknown to me at the time, sparked a curiosity, an adventure, a challenge. Inside were stacks and stacks of letters. That day I learned of a man named Sonnie Rockford, my wife's great-uncle who was a paratrooper in World War II. Sonnie was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment (H-Minus), 1st Battalion, Company C. He served for over 2 years, visited at least 6 countries, and survived 4 combat jumps.
This is Sonnie's story.
This is Sonnie's story.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2023
8 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 26, 2023
Static Lines is a captivating book revealing the military life of a WWII soldier. I had a difficult time putting it down! It's an insightful journey of Sonnie, a soldier from Kansas City who was a paratrooper in Europe. Through his written letters, you are able to witness the journey and changes of a young man confronted with the challenges of intense war. You receive a first-hand account of his worries, his boredom, and the excitement of an experience that luckily most of us will never experience.
Eric Palmer does an excellent job of transcribing Sonnie's letters and sprinkling insightful humor and facts about WWII and general life during that time of history. This is an important book in WWII literature as it is a rare first-hand account of a front-line soldier. Riveting work!
Eric Palmer does an excellent job of transcribing Sonnie's letters and sprinkling insightful humor and facts about WWII and general life during that time of history. This is an important book in WWII literature as it is a rare first-hand account of a front-line soldier. Riveting work!
November 15, 2023
P.S. write soon.
This was a very enjoyable book. I related to the book in several different ways. I myself was in Army, later I was an Army wife, and then my son also served and got a Purple Heart. I remember how important letters were to those in the military, how much of a life line they were. Sonnie would continually finish a letter with “P.S. write soon”. As a mom it tugged at my heart strings.
Eric, the author did a superb job of filling in important details of what was probably going on in the area during WW II. I love history, and this was a great way of learning about WW II while learning about this young soldier, his family, and the then current “love of his life”. The book was documented well. As a mom I also enjoyed looking at the communication from military and pictures. And of course I’m left wondering , what ever happened to his watch?
This was a very enjoyable book. I related to the book in several different ways. I myself was in Army, later I was an Army wife, and then my son also served and got a Purple Heart. I remember how important letters were to those in the military, how much of a life line they were. Sonnie would continually finish a letter with “P.S. write soon”. As a mom it tugged at my heart strings.
Eric, the author did a superb job of filling in important details of what was probably going on in the area during WW II. I love history, and this was a great way of learning about WW II while learning about this young soldier, his family, and the then current “love of his life”. The book was documented well. As a mom I also enjoyed looking at the communication from military and pictures. And of course I’m left wondering , what ever happened to his watch?
November 8, 2023
Poignant and Riveting
Eric Palmer does a great job of letting this story unfold on its own with occasional appropriate and often humorous comments. I was soon caught up in it, wondering where the story would lead. I’m very glad this example of what hundreds of families experienced has been preserved. May their sacrifices never be forgotten.
Eric Palmer does a great job of letting this story unfold on its own with occasional appropriate and often humorous comments. I was soon caught up in it, wondering where the story would lead. I’m very glad this example of what hundreds of families experienced has been preserved. May their sacrifices never be forgotten.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews