"9:02 to 4:09": My Journey Beyond the Bombings

by David Hamel

155 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2025

About the author

David Hamel is a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant having served over 30 years on active duty in aircraft maintenance and as a Director of the Air Force Enlisted Heritage Research Institute in Montgomery, Alabama. He is a past Alabama State Commander of the Korea Defense Veterans of America and past Eastern District Commander of AMVETS, North Carolina. He has performed 175 Prisoner of War-Missing In Action (POW-MIA) table presentations and has served as the state POW-MIA Chairman for the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Departments of Alabama and North Carolina, and is a past National Aide-de-Camp. Dave is also an Eagle Scout.
Completing his 31 years of marathon running, Dave has finished 131 marathons in all 50 states, and has two finishes in the coveted Boston Marathon. Known as “Scrappy” in the Fort Bragg hockey community, he cross-trains playing aggressive ice hockey.
Dave is a motivational speaker on fitness and self-preservation, and Air Force history and heritage. He has Masters Degrees in Human Resources Development, and Computer Resources and Information Management.
He resides in Spring Lake, North Carolina with his wife Gloria, of 31 years.

Reviews

[Hortensia C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both heartbreaking and inspiring. David takes you through tragedy and triumph, showing how loss, faith, and endurance can coexist. The way he ties his marathons to his emotional journey is beautiful you feel like you’re running beside him every mile. A powerful reminder that life’s hardest moments can lead to the most meaningful victories.

[David Hamel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating journey of three disastrous American events that many can relate to and we’re affected by. The author shares his personal reactions in an action packed story of “letting go.” You can actually feel like you were running with him!