My Pilot: A Story of War, Love, and ALS

by Sarajane Giere

Sarajane Giere offers a uniquely intimate glimpse into the life of a military wife as she tells the story of her fighter pilot husband, Bernie, a Vietnam Veteran who flew 214 combat missions in the Vietnam War and served twenty-five years in the Air National Guard's world-class 106th Rescue Wing. With searing love and explicit honesty, she recounts the terror of the Vietnam years and the lifelong sacrifices that affected her pilot's life and death. In the telling she honors her husband, their family, and their extended military family, the community holds dear.

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 13, 2020

About the author

Sarajane Giere, a retired teacher, entered the book world with The Melody Lingers On, the story of her maternal grandparents as told through letters by her mother, Patty, and grandfather, Congressman Bill Nolan of Minnesota. My Pilot, a memoir, is a tribute to her husband, Bernard Giere, who died of complications from ALS in 2013. Her essays have appeared in the Christian Science Monitor and New York Times and her devotionals in several books, including Love Is a Verb. She is also an oil painter of Eastern Long Island landscapes. Giere lives in New Jersey and has two children, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Reviews

[John Podlaski]

I was gifted a copy of this book in return for an honest review on Amazon. MY PILOT by Sarajane Giere is a memoir that tells the story of the trials and tribulations of a military family as told from the wife's POV.

This is a difficult review to write as the story covers the couple's 51 years together. It begins with their meeting in college and continues through his early death from ALS. Sarajane writes about her unyielding love of her husband and two children and extended family while he served as an Air Force fighter pilot in Vietnam (shot down twice), a Pan American pilot, and 25-years as a trainer in the National Guard. It wasn't an easy life as they moved and lived in several different states, and she found herself alone during his training and deployments.

It is a surprisingly easy read which I highly recommend to anyone interested in learning what life was like for a military family.

[Elizabeth Love]

I met Sarajane Giere at a book fair in NJ. She had a modest table setup with only this book for sale even though she has written more. I was about to walk by with a simple smile thinking there was nothing about a military story I'd necessarily go after. Then I saw she had pamphlets about ALS. Having lost a friend to that heinous disease, I was stopped right in midstep.

I started a conversation with Sarajane and listened to her talk about her heroic husband who lived through having his plane go down in Vietnam, to live a blessed life, but then to get ALS and die too young.

Sarajane Giere tells Bernie's story in detail with all the important people from their lives. As an Air Force Wife, Sarajane had to "be trained" with the other wives about what was expected of them. They were coursed in etiquette, socializing on base, how to support their husbands and of course, children. The manual for the wives was first something Sarajane resented, but later has a moment of respect for it. No spoiler, but it's important.

Ultimately, this memoir is about family and love. I gave it to my father to read before I did. I've never heard him talk about a book the way he talked about this one. He said the war scenes (which aren't graphic like a war movie or even like a Tom Clancy novel) were accurate and captivating. There are really only about two chapters about Vietnam specifically, but Bernie and his squadron mates' experiences are a long thread throughout. It's cliche, but there is truth to serving with people in a war that kind of bonds you for life. My father was also moved by the strong bonds between the family and friends.

Bernie does end up being a commercial pilot while also serving in the Air National Guard. These were the days when Pan Am was the largest airline in the US, but had cracks in its shiny veneer. The National Guard work included rescue operations and kept Bernie sane.

Maybe you'll be brought to tears, maybe not. I was more riveted than emotional as I took a week to read this short book. By last 25%, I refused to put the book down and stayed up past my bedtime to find out what life was like for Bernie, Sarajane, their kids, friends, and parents when the ALS diagnosis cast a shadow upon this unshakeable couple.

Needless to say, My Pilot gets a high recommendation.

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

Can you imagine you are due to have your first baby the week your husband leaves to fly F4 Phantom jets in Vietnam and your mother suddenly passes away? That is a smidgeon of the challenges faced by the Giere's fifty-three year life journey together. Author Sarajane Giere provides a marvelous chronological reflection of life with her pilot-husband. From the beautiful get-go to the unfortunate end, caused by a fatal degenerative neurological disease, these two people show how to hold on tightly together and never let go.

This couple falls in love early and stays there. Young Bernie Giere graduates ROTC and gets the lucky draw to become an Air Force pilot. In short order, he is assigned to fly the brand new F4 Phantom jets out of the factory. Deployment soon follows to fight in these incredible jets in Vietnam. He bails out twice and completes 214 missions. Later Bernie pilots for commercial carriers Pan Am and Delta and is directly involved with the Air National Guard. There is so much more told as Bernie completes life with his wife and two children while flying eleven airplanes in forty-six years. Author Sarajane captures how they did it right, despite seemingly insurmountable challenges. They shared a deep love that I found admirable.

The Gieres faced amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a rare disease, in heroic fashion. Readers will appreciate their insightful battle and learn practical strategies to cope with and manage this terminal condition. As a career therapist, I have followed patients with ALS. Without a doubt, the progressive muscular paralysis faced is catastrophic. It creeps away with neuromuscular functions, including swallowing and breathing. I tip my hat to Bernie and Sarajane with the way they kept love alive, despite this tragic disease.

This book is recommended for anyone who appreciates leaders in life through service to country and beyond. You will find that love abounds and that is most inspiring.

Review by Hodge Wood (April 2021)

[Catherine Greenfeder]

An incredible moving account of the life of a military wife telling the story of her heroic fighter pilot husband, Bernie, who flew 214 combat missions in Vietnam, served for twenty-five years in the Air National Guard's world-class 106th Rescue Wing, and flew as a commercial pilot for Pan American and Delta Airlines. Wonderfully rich in detail, warmth, and insight about the heroism of the pilot and his wife, Sarajane Giere, who shared over 50 years of marriage through good and difficult times until Bernard's death from ALS in 2013. I found it hard to put down and moved to tears a few times, but mostly I gained a new appreciation for the men and women who protect this country and the sacrifices their families sometimes make while they serve.

[Jean Dory]

This is a memoir written by the wife of a pilot who fought in Vietnam, flew for major airlines, and rescued people with the Air National Guard. It was for her a life of constant moving, considerable fear, and yet unswerving love. Sadly, her pilot died of the horrible ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), and she carries us with her through his last battles. This is not a "fun" book--but it is real. I learned much about missions in Vietnam, and of the demanding, culture-controlled life of an Air Force wife.

[Sarajane Giere]

"As a current member of the 106th Rescue Wing, I was honored to have had the opportunity to read Sarajane's account of her life with her "hero", her husband - USAF Colonel (ret.) Bernard Giere. Her loyalty and devotion to her husband, family and America were admirable aspects of their life together. Sarajane describes him in detail as an officer compelled to be a great husband and military officer and to serve his country with distinction, which he clearly did. However, she fails to mention "the woman who is behind every great man." She was the pillar who was by Bernie's side at every turn, helping both of them to fulfill their family's dream of "We did it!"

When Bernie falls victim to ALS, an insidious disease that begins to consumer her Pilot, she react with superb resilience and devotion to her husband and family. You won't want to put this book down. It's a must read!

-Colonel Charles T. Killian, 106th Rescue Wing, West Hampton Beach, NY