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John now works in sales and logistics for a Belgian company that supplies gears and shafts
for transmissions and diesel engines. He is a member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 and lives
with his wife of 37 years, Janice, in Sterling Heights, Michigan. They own a 1997 Harley Davidson Heritage
and are both members of the Great Lakes Chapter of Southeast Michigan Harley Owners’ Group.” John
Podlaski is the author of Cherries : A Vietnam War Novel
According to the book description of Cherries : A Vietnam War Novel,
“It's 1970 - they're 18 years old - drafted and trained by the Army Infantry for five months - sent to Vietnam with
others their age to fight in an unpopular war - dubbed "Cherries" by their more seasoned peers - nothing had prepared
them for this nightmare - forced to become men overnight - working hard to learn the ropes and earn the acceptance and trust
of fellow soldiers. Once they come under fire and witness death firsthand, a life-changing transition begins. This eye-opening
account offers readers an in-depth look into the everyday struggles of these young infantry soldiers. You'll feel their fear,
awe, drama, and sorrow, witness the bravery and sometimes laugh at their humor. In Vietnam, battles weren't just fought against
NVA and VC soldiers - personal battles occurred daily as these teenagers had to fend off the many crawling, flying and scurrying
insects, rats, snakes, spiders and other creatures that lived in these dense jungles. Some were magnificent - most were deadly!
Buy "Cherries" and read about it for yourself!”
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One reader of Cherries : A Vietnam War Novel said, “I
am not a person who generally reads war novels, but I really couldn't put this book down. I read it twice! I found it fascinating.
And while I was reading it, I talked to my friends about it all the time. I was constantly saying things like, "Did you
realize this or that about when we were in Vietnam?" The book has plenty of action to keep anyone's interest, but one
of the things that I, personally, really liked was the detailed description of what life was like for our soldiers. I remember
hearing news stories about Vietnam when I was a teenager, just as I hear news stories about Iraq and Afghanistan now. But
the news never helped me to really get a picture of what it was like on a day to day basis. This book gave me a whole new
understanding that I wish I had had back then. Reading this book sparked so much interest for me that I've since spent a lot
of time online reading more about the Vietnam years. It's also made me want to learn more about the day to day lives of our
soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I am buying this book for several of my girlfriends, who I don't think would go out and
buy a war novel for themselves, because I believe that they, like me, will stay up late into the night unable to put down
this page turner. Plus I think they will love the intimate, human level at which this story is told. The author of Cherries
- A Vietnam War Novel takes you along on the journey where you get to watch the main character grow from a scared young kid
just out of high school into a savvy, skilled leader in the span of a year, and he helps you to understand how it happens.”
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