Retired Wilson County Sheriff Terry Ashe held a book signing Wednesday for his second book, “Daylight Moon, Vietnam: Reflections on a War I Never Left.â€
The book is a memoir of Ashe’s time in the Vietnam War as part of the 101st Airborne Division. He was present for the Tet Offensive in 1968, where Viet Cong and North Vietnamese soldiers launched surprise attacks on South Vietnamese and U.S. troops. For his service in Vietnam, Ashe was awarded three Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.
Ashe is also the founder of Wilson Warriors, an organization which helps honor veterans in Wilson County.
During the early afternoon on Wednesday, Nov. 19, Ashe signed hardback and softcover copies of his book for individuals at the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce office. People would come and go in regular waves as Ashe signed each copy, often striking conversation during the time.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, a war which contrasted with World War II before it. Soldiers returned home to public scrutiny as the Vietnam conflict was unpopular. It wasn’t until films like “First Blood†in 1982 released that started to highlight the struggles of Vietnam veterans.
“I think most Vietnam veterans grieve differently. Everybody who died there didn’t die there. Everybody who left there didn’t leave there,†Ashe said. “There are some personal things here that I’ve never shared publicly, some of it not even with my family.â€
He said writing the book was painful and it opened some old wounds — like the day in June 1968 when he lost his entire recon team in combat.
“I shed some tears when I wrote this book, but I’ve also always said a man who won’t cry won’t fight,†he said. “Under every veteran’s hat that you run into, there’s a story. They may or may not share it, but I promise you there’s a story and there’s a hole in their heart.â€
In his book, Ashe mentions his father who served in the Pacific Theater of World War II.
“He’s an American hero. I’m just a veteran who served telling my story,†Ashe said.
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