Kerry "Doc" Pardue

I have been many things over the past 70 + years of my life. I have been a brother, son, friend, husband, father, soldier, medic, police officer, detective, letter carrier, college recruiter, grandfather, and now, poet. Being a poet was not one of the things I wanted to be when I was growing up. My first book Poems In The Keys Of Life: Reflections of a combat medic was written in order to find healing from survivor's guilt and took the form of poetry. My second book, Rice Paddy Stew and Saigon Tea was written to tell the story of the men I worked with as a medic in Vietnam.

These poems are a reflective journey to find healing from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), after the war in Vietnam. Over 50 years ago I was a combat medic. When I came home, I was determined to put Vietnam behind me. Somehow, deep within my heart, soul, and spirit, Vietnam was a part of who and what I became. Finally, my journey to healing began, and these poems are the result of that journey. They will make you cry, laugh, and appreciate friendships.

They are my road map to a place I call home. I only hope that other soldiers, medics, nurses, and doctors will be able to find a way to their home. So grab a beverage and curl up and join with me on the journey together as we find peace, hope, friendships, love and yes, even healing.

Doc Pardue's book was awarded the Gold Medal for War Poetry by the Military Writers Society of America.