Iconic Author, Eric Hammel, has Died

I am saddened to hear from Daniel Hammel that his father, Eric Hammel, has died. He explained that his father had been ill for some time.

I am shocked. I think it was about this time last year that I offered to help my fellow historian and author to promote two new releases of his books -- one about KHE SANH -- Siege in the Clouds.and the other FIRE IN THE STREETS -- The Battle for Hue, Tet 1968

We chatted a bit about the past. He and I connected after the terrorist truck bombing in Beirut, Lebanon, When he was gathering material for his book THE ROOT; The Marines in Beirut. I was the DoD/Marine Corps spokesman and public affairs officer in Beirut from August through November. I was asleep about 100 yards from the blast.

I admire Eric for his professional research and his passionate and sensitive writing style, which transmits the shock and horror that his subjects experience to the his readers.

Eric Hammel will leave a void in historical writing that weaves drama and excitement around the facts that takes the reader to the scene of the event and forces them to see, feel and understand the feelings of the people and understand the events as they unfold.

Well done Eric Hammel. Mission accomplished. Rest in peace.

Note: We were not defeated in Beirut. We are still here ... and our children and our grandchildren know the story about the Beirut bombing. Our motto: The First Duty is to Remember! Eric Hammel captured what those those young Marines, sailors, and soldiers endured in their pursuit of peace.

Please, do yourself or someone you like a favor in honor of Eric Hammel and the men who sacrificed all their tomorrows as they served as "peace keepers" who were slaughtered while they slept by a fanatical terrorist. Read THE ROOT: The Marines In Beirut.