EMPTY NEST by Curt Swarm

“Task Force IED” is published

Posted

It's going to the top!  “Task Force IED”, my third book, is going to the top of the best seller lists.  Amazon has it rated at five stars.  Unlike my first two book that were autobiographical, “Task Force IED” is a fictional narration based on a true story.  I interviewed many Middle East War veterans, both men and women, and their spouses, both men and women, to compile this incredible story of valor, tragedy and wounded souls.

Just in time for Dawg Days of August, “Task Force IED” is about the Iowa National Guard's fight against IED's (Improvised Explosive Devices) in Iraq.  The war against terrorism rapidly evolved from one of gun battles and kicking in doors, to a war against IED's.  The IED's themselves evolved from pressure sensitive devices that tripped by stepping on them, or running over them with a vehicle, to detonation by insurgents using hard wired devices and cordless telephones.

Two Iowa National Guard soldiers are credited with turning the war against IED's.  Using their civilian skills, they developed a computer program that would predict, within 80% accuracy, where every IED in the entire country of Iraq was located, something the entire military wasn't able to do.  This fictional 451 battalion was responsible for finding and removing over 800 IED's in their one-year deployment, saving countless lives and injuries to US soldiers.  But it wasn't without a price.  The 20% inaccuracy was real and equated to actual lives lost and devastating injuries.

“Task Force IED” is also about the National Guard's return home to an unusually high rate of suicide, PTSD, drug and alcohol addiction, divorce, bankruptcy and general human decay.  Why was this happening after such a stellar performance in the Middle East?  Fact: 22 Veterans are dying by suicide each and every day.  This book, “Task Force IED” attempts to answer this haunting question and offer a solution.

I will be doing a “Meet the Author” and book signing at the following locations, with books available:

Friday, Sept. 2, from 1:00-5:00 pm, Museum A on the Old Thresher's grounds in Mt. Pleasant.  Take in the Old Thresher's Reunion!

Saturday, Sept. 10, from 2:00-4:00 pm, at the First Presbyterian Church, 902 S. Walnut St. in Mt. Pleasant.  Cookies, cake, punch and coffee will be served by Ginnie.

Thursday, Sept. 15, from 4:00-7:00 pm, at Burlington by the Book, 301 Jefferson St., Burlington, IA.  A Farmer's Market will also be in progress on Jefferson St.  

Sunday, Sept. 18, from 10:00 am-4:00 pm, at Art in the Park, Central Park, between Ave. E&F and 10th&9th St., in downtown Ft. Madison.  Come look at the art!

Saturday, Sept. 24, 9 am-4:00 pm, Lamb Lane Farm, 1991 315th Ave., Ft. Madison, IA.  This is Barb Zumdome's annual Baa Stock, feathering local artisans.  Fun!  See the lambs!

Friday, Sept. 30, 10:00-11:00 am, Mt. Pleasant Library, 307 E. Monroe St., Mt. Pleasant, IA.  Senior coffee. 

Saturday, Oct. 1, 10:30 am-12:00 noon, New London Library, 103 E. Main St., New London, IA.

Friday, Nov. 11, 12:00 noon-1:00 pm, Main Street Art, 106 S. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, IA.  This is a brown bag lunch in honor of Veteran's Day.

“Task Force IED” by Curt Swarm is available on Amazon in soft and hard cover, and Kindle, as well as Barnes and Noble and Walmart.

Let us never forget our veterans and what they've been through for us. 

Have a good story?  Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526, find him on Facebook, email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com, or visit his website at www.empty-nest-words-photos-and-frames.com.

Curt Swarm, Task Force IED, book, published, author, editorial, opinion, column, Sunday, Pen City Current

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