Friends for Life: Strangers Brought Together by the War in Iraq

This non-fiction war story is told through the voices of two women, chronicling the experiences and emotions of a yearlong deployment to Iraq. Patti, the mother of Army medic Jon, and Jennifer, sister of infantry soldier James, forge a friendship back home as their soldiers fight to stay alive in one of the most dangerous cities in Iraq. After meeting online, Patti and Jennifer joined forces to support their soldiers and comfort each other while their boys battled with the Deuce Four Stryker Brigade in the fierce fight to secure Mosul, Iraq.

Though the two women were separated by thousands of miles, age, and interests, they were drawn together by shared terror and the overwhelming desire to communicate with and comfort their soldiers. This memoir contains actual emails and instant message communications with the soldiers, offering a unique and intimate look into the deployment.

Using a simple, easy to read writing style, this work illuminates both positive and negative aspects of a modern day deployment. From surviving the loss of friends, to understanding military operations and dealing with PTSD, this book also serves as a resources guide for veterans, military families and anyone wishing to support the troops.