Thanks so much Robert. We felt so bad about our difficulties that we couldn’t find the words…..it is much better to have someone who has witnessed our progression reflect our situation than if we were to try and explain it ourselves. It is never enjoyable to let anyone down! Onward and upward!!!

I have been “in the know” of Uncle Jimmy’s progress since he first picked up a pencil and began to copy the letters of the alphabet, leading up to the publication of his “memories” that so many of you enjoy and praise. His hand-written letter to me can be seen on the last page of the book. I am very aware of the problems my three much younger “family members” encountered as they learned about the publishing business as willing, yet very naive, participants.

Put yourself in their shoes for a moment. Two sisters, very different in character, took on the task of distributing their Grandfather’s book. Neither had any real professional experience in dealing with editors, graphic artists, printers, nor with advertising. Unbeknownst to them, they had a product which took off like a “tsunami”, and forced them quickly to learn how to contract a publisher, organize public appearances for Uncle Jimmy, to write press releases informing the general public not only about the book and the author, but also concerning the many distinguished dignitaries who supported and admired Uncle Jimmy’s journey to literacy, and to set up this web site – which in all accounts is very well done. Then, they accepted Uncle Jimmy’s decision to enlighten children in the “Port to Port Literacy Program” which further burdened them with their need to be educated in the production and distribution of t-shirts, coffee mugs, etc. and additionally tracking the book’s progress as it traversed the nation. Then they prepared an eBook version, easily downloadable. Add to that, the huge amount of personal correspondences demanding their attention, and of course, balancing all this with their own family activities.

These two sisters, my Grandnieces, Alicia and Marlisa, and now my Greatgrandniece Maxine, are, (or more accurately WERE) “fish out of water” so to speak, when confronted by the volume of requests and requirements large publishing houses with hundreds of employees handle on a daily basis to promote a single book. Nothing in their past achievements nor formal education prepared them to instantaneously become “Literary Agents”, “Art Directors”, “Media Specialists”, “Journalists”, or even “Technology Integrators”. Prior to this “tsunami”, their own computer skills were elemental at best. They had one goal: Tell Uncle Jimmy’s story to as many people as are interested.

Obviously, there have been unintentional lapses, innocent miscalculations, but for anyone to infer that their motivation has been dishonest, that they intend to “rip off” (a phrase from my youth) any single person wishing to share Uncle Jimmy’s book is a disservice not only to these three women, but to him as well.

No one reading this rather long expression has “walked a mile in their moccasins”. I, however, have done so, and continue to do so to this day. As an author, as a media specialist, as an art director, as an artist, and as a technology integrator, I daily juggle with the demands and frustrations of the print media and electronic publishing business. That these three women have done so very well, in such an extremely short time, is worthy of praise, and certainly not of distrust.

Be patient, but also know that Alicia and Marlisa and Maxine are guided by Uncle Jimmy’s long established saying: “If I say I’ll do something, then by God, I will do it!” I am reminded of the SEABEE creed: “the Difficult we do at once, the Impossible takes a little longer”. Again, be patient, please. “In a Fisherman’s Language” took 96 years to come to fruition, and the promotional and distribution facets faced by these three women when the book first appeared was no less of a challenge.

Robert M. Henry

Dear Barb,
We apologize for our delays and absence from the site. We changed printers and ran into delays which we are presently overcoming. One delay being a blessing with a new baby in our family. The book is sold out and has been sold out and is only available as a Kindle book on amazon. Greed is not the source of our delays, we have struggled with lack of manpower and organization and will get your book to you by the turn of the month. Thanks for being so patient and kind about the disappointment. Again, we are sorry. The Fisherman’s Language crew.

I also ordered and paid for my book in March and still don’t have it. I’ve emailed the family 3 times and was told there were printing problems and it would be out early June. It’s July 26th and I’m still waiting, with no response to my last two emails. I see the books available on amazon and in stores so obviously the print issue has been overcome. I am really disappointed and not sure what my options are. Sad that something that seemed to be such a heartwarming story has turned out to be something that was actually based on greed.

( 937 325 0844 )

Roy Rice

Jess E. Weiss

As a multi-decorated combat rifleman in World War II; I served with the First Division (The Big Red One). I fought in North Africa, the invasions of Sicily and Normandy (Second wave-Omaha Beach-D-Day June 6, 1944), and on through France, Belgium and Germany. On the Siegfried Line just outside of Aachen, Germany, I was severely wounded protecting the recapture of a German concrete pillbox.

I am the recipient of the following Medals: Silver Battle Star, Two Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, New York State Conspicuous Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Rifleman’s Badge and varies other medals.

In May 1994, with the coming of the Fiftieth Anniversary of D-Day, I wrote an article for the Normandy D-Day Foundation in Washington, DC: “Staff Sgt. Herbert Siegel, Where Are You?” The National Broadcasting System (NBC) responded and wanted to send me back to Omaha Beach, which I had no intention of doing. They continued to hound me until I said: “If you find my foxhole buddy Herb, I will consider your offer.” I assumed Herb had passed on being in his Eighties. NBC called every Herb Siegel in the USA and found him living in Florida. NBC, sent us back to Omaha Beach and taped my D-Day experience on their NOW program with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric, on June 6, 1994. The story became international in newspapers world wide.

It was not my multiple shrapnel wounds, but my front-line combat experience in five major campaigns that created a debilitating psychological lifelong struggle to come to terms with the haunting horrors of war. You are scared all the time; pretending you’re not, and the invisible side effects of recurring nightmares, flashbacks, depression and fearful concern about the future. How do I, just a High School grauate when drafted with four plus years of Army service and now disabled; make a living to support a family? The inability to mentally let go and not being able to talk about death and dying because of being a witness to soldiers, women and children and animals slaughtered by the numbers. The mind’s RX becomes … Shut your mouth! Clam up! Silence!

In WW II, it was called “Shell Shock,” or “Battle Fatigue,” and “Cowardice” by General Patton, and was not considered a war service connected disability. In Iraq and Afghanistan, suicide is at its highest level. Today, diagnosed seriously as Post Traumatic Syndrome Disability (PTSD), the Purple Heart medal is being considered for this front-line combat mental disability. But, the Veterans Administration (VA) refuses to recognize it as a military service connected disability.

One year after my medical discharge from the Army, the day my son was born I wrote my obituary. The thought of him in the future being subjected to what I endured, I contemplated suicide. In desperation I found myself in bookstores, searching for literature for answers to what stripped away whatever faith I had that there ever was a God?

My traditional search for God through metaphysics was the beginning, but the way that took hold was the way of the mystics. Mysticism is not institutional religion; it is theology without orthodox ritualism. A book The Infinite Way, by Joel Goldsmith, reached out to me and it turned my soul’s spiritual propeller. At a moment in time, a still small voice within uttered: “Write a book, study the Bible verse Hebrews 2:15,” which reads: “Deliver them who through fear of death were their entire lifetime subject to bondage.”

The book, THE VESTIBULE, was” The Original Groundbreaking Chronicle of Near-Death Experiences.” This book gave me comfort and a purpose for living, and I began to write, reason, and meditate on mystical theology. I found myself studying Oriental and Occidental Fourth Dimensional Divine Theology.

I am the author of, The Adam & Eve Fantasy/A Religious, Mystical and Scientific Approach to Knowledge of God, Overcoming The Fear Of Death And Dying/A Sense of Life That Knows No Death (An edition was published in Braille). The Soldier’s Journey Into Mysticism, and now Warrior to Spiritual Warrior/The Soldier’s Journey.

Today, 96 years/young, how impoverished life would have been was I unable to transcend PTSD and write on such transcendental subjects. My life would be empty, and my human existence would have had no real significance.

Website: http://www.warriortospiritualwarrior.com –To order book, or the Kindle edition, click this link on the Home page of the above website.

MAY I SEND YOU A COPY OF MY BOOK?

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Through Literacy Volunteers of America, I helped some good folks learn how to read and write. It was years ago; I haven’t been in that arena in quite a while, but James has now inspired me to resume that very worthwhile volunteer work.
Many people who read In a Fisherman’s Language will probably now become Literacy Volunteers. So, you see, James, how much your story is helping others! There will probably be gazillions of people who will now learn how to read because of your giant accomplishment. And isn’t helping others what life is all about?

Congratulations to you, James, on your incredibly significant achievement. The bright flame of your candle is now fueling other folks’ burning desire to read and write. I join thousands of your fans in saluting you!

Mary Huber

Learning to read is a way of opening up the world..and writing a book of your experiences is yet another wonderful achievement!

As a teacher of third grade students for 30 years, I must say that it is the greatest thing a person can do for his own fulfillment..and I think you have found that so.

Live long, be healthy, and keep on reading ..and WRITING!

Mrs. Cerelle Bolon
Phoenix, AZ