Jenny La Sala

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JENNY LA SALA'S ancestors fought in the Civil War. She is the sister of a Gulf War Veteran, daughter of a WWII Veteran and former spouse to a Vietnam Veteran.

MY FAMILY COMPASS was published in 2012 under the pen name of Ann Stone to heal from family dysfunction. In 2013, she published her 101st Airborne father's wartime letters in the book, COMES A SOLDIER’S WHISPER, opening the door for her expansion to Veteran advocacy, compassion and understanding PTSD within her own family.

VIETNAM AND BEYOND was honored as a finalist for the 2015 Eric Hoffer Book Award and was co-authored with Jim Markson, her former spouse and Vietnam Veteran. Jenny's first children's book, WHEN DADDY COMES HOME became available in May 2015 and addresses the challenges faced when Daddy returns changed by the war experience in Iraq and Afghanistan. Jenny shares a child’s journey of their parent’s military service to and from war in a unique child’ perspective. The sequel, WHEN MOMMY COMES HOME to follow in the fall of 2016.

These publications have led to collecting several hundred interviews from Veterans of all wars, with selected stories for NEVER FORGOTTEN as told by the Vietnam Veteran, their spouses and children. These books have changed Jenny in a profound and totally unexpected way. She believes they will change you too. It has become her passion and life journey to feature and honor our Veteran’s service.

Jenny’s current project is the collection of stories and reflections of our Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans for publication in 2017.

"Jenny’s experience as an author and editor made her a perfect choice and fit for the editing team of National Geographic’s publication, Veteran’s Voices: Remarkable Stories of Heroism, Sacrifice, and Honor due in May 2016."
~ George Lawson, Senior Researcher National Geographic
When the Vietnam Veteran’s tours were over, they came home to find a country divided and a nation unappreciative of their service. How they were treated, how they integrated back into society, and how their wartime experiences changed them are just some of the questions answered, as their stories unfold in Never Forgotten. Told by the Veterans themselves, these are their stories.

"The book Never Forgotten, captures 58 Veteran’s accounts and others on what it was like to experience the Vietnam War. In their own words, they talk about their return home, struggles to maintain healthy relationships, decades of recovery, and feelings of worthlessness. Many find emotional well-being and self-worth by helping other Veterans. Those of us who are Veterans or whose loved ones have served in war, know with certainty we are different when we return home, than before we marched off to war. Because of this difference, for ourselves and for those we love and enjoy having in our lives, Never Forgotten is a must read."

~ Michael B. Christy, Lt. Col. USA (ret) and Vietnam Veteran
Gia loves her daddy. When he comes home from work, he gives her big hugs, swings her in circles, and even calls her his princess! When her daddy is called to serve his country in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gia talks to him on the computer, helps bake him cookie care packages, and waits for the day he can come home. But when her daddy finally returns from his war experiences with the wounds of a warrior, Gia and her family soon discover that even though life is different, everything is still alright. When Daddy Comes Home shares a poignant story for children of a soldier’s journey to and from war as the family who loves him learns to open their hearts to change in the most positive light. Readplay App Available On Windows 8 and Windows 10 App Store HERE.
Vietnam and Beyond is a collection of wartime letters written home by Jim Markson from March 1967 to March 1968. Jim carried sadness and boxed-up memories from Vietnam. Perhaps, if it were not for the general divided and oppositional public opinion of the Vietnam War at that time, the soldiers returning home might have been able to open up and begin the healing process. Instead, those soldiers returning from Vietnam were afraid to tell their story. These fears bound each soldier to the other. We are very proud to embrace all veterans and include stories of veterans of all wars, including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan to show the similarities of war and the soldier from one generation to another.
Comes A Soldier’s Whisper is a collection of wartime letters written by my 101st Airborne father from WWII with sentiments to be shared by many and in the process transports the reader back in time to the Greatest Generation. For your listening pleasure, this book is also available in book audio on Tafford. Buy the audio version of the book here.
My Family Compass is about a tight-knit family and the dark secrets that are bound to destroy their healthy relationship. This moving book chronicles Stone and her family’s journey into the abyss of deception, greed, pain, loss, and delusional entitlements. She aims to let the readers know, especially those who are dealing with the same problem, that they are not alone. How will Stone and her family survive through the web of pain and deceit? The answer lies between the covers of My Family Compass.

Never Forgotten

When the Vietnam Veteran’s tours were over, they came home to find a country divided and a nation unappreciative of their service. How they were treated, how they integrated back into society, and how their wartime experiences changed them are just some of the questions answered, as their stories unfold in Never Forgotten. Told by the Veterans themselves, these are their stories.

“The book Never Forgotten, captures 58 Veteran’s accounts and others on what it was like to experience the Vietnam War. In their own words, they talk about their return home, struggles to maintain healthy relationships, decades of recovery, and feelings of worthlessness. Many find emotional well-being and self-worth by helping other Veterans. Those of us who are Veterans or whose loved ones have served in war, know with certainty we are different when we return home, than before we marched off to war. Because of this difference, for ourselves and for those we love and enjoy having in our lives, Never Forgotten is a must read.”

~ Michael B. Christy, Lt. Col. USA (ret) and Vietnam Veteran

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Book Videos

Book Website link : http://www.NeverForgottenTheVietnamVeteran.com

When Daddy Comes Home

Gia loves her daddy. When he comes home from work, he gives her big hugs, swings her in circles, and even calls her his princess! When her daddy is called to serve his country in Iraq and Afghanistan, Gia talks to him on the computer, helps bake him cookie care packages, and waits for the day he can come home. But when her daddy finally returns from his war experiences with the wounds of a warrior, Gia and her family soon discover that even though life is different, everything is still alright. When Daddy Comes Home shares a poignant story for children of a soldier’s journey to and from war as the family who loves him learns to open their hearts to change in the most positive light. Readplay App Available On Windows 8 and Windows 10 App Store HERE.

Buy Now

Book Videos

Book Website link : http://www.whendaddycomeshome.com/

Vietnam & Beyond

Vietnam and Beyond is a collection of wartime letters written home by Jim Markson from March 1967 to March 1968. Jim carried sadness and boxed-up memories from Vietnam. Perhaps, if it were not for the general divided and oppositional public opinion of the Vietnam War at that time, the soldiers returning home might have been able to open up and begin the healing process. Instead, those soldiers returning from Vietnam were afraid to tell their story. These fears bound each soldier to the other. We are very proud to embrace all veterans and include stories of veterans of all wars, including WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan to show the similarities of war and the soldier from one generation to another.

Buy Now

Book Videos

Book Website link : http://www.vietnamandbeyond.com/

Comes A Soldier’s Whisper

Comes A Soldier’s Whisper is a collection of wartime letters written by my 101st Airborne father from WWII with sentiments to be shared by many and in the process transports the reader back in time to the Greatest Generation.

For your listening pleasure, this book is also available in book audio on Tafford. Buy the audio version of the book here.

Buy Now

Book Videos

Book Website link : http://www.comesasoldierswhisper.com/

praise

“Jenny, I received my copy of your book today, NEVER FORGOTTEN. It is an absolute treasure! What an incredible job you did on gathering the hearts and souls of us Veterans and then presenting it to the world in print. The mutual trust and respect between you and these Veterans is amazing. I am honored to be a part of NEVER FORGOTTEN. Thank you!”

- Barney Tharp
“Vietnam & Beyond is a well-written book that reflects the author’s respect for those who served in the Vietnam War. The personal accounts of experiences recorded by those who lived through the war have been offered as testimony to the realities of war in the mind and eyes of the participants. The authors do an excellent job of presenting the personal accounts reported in a way that provides readers with a first person narrative rather than re-wording or paraphrasing which can take away from the writer’s intended meaning. Finally, Jenny’s personal account of her experiences as a wife of a Vietnam Veteran shed light on a seldom-considered aspect of war; the burden and impact of war on a wife and mother who is often overlooked or forgotten when the toll of war is considered.”

- Evan Francis, Vietnam Veteran
“My Family Compass demonstrates the journey a family member takes to break free of the cycle of family dysfunction. Through a combination of story telling, poetry, and inspirational pieces, the author takes the reader through her growth and understanding of the reasons for the unraveling of parts of her family. Her clarity and honesty can serve as a guidepost for others who are on the same quest to comprehend the dynamics of their own family circle and how to make sure the cycle of dysfunction does not continue into succeeding generations.”

- Carol Schultz Vento, daughter of WWII Veteran and author of The Hidden Legacy of WWII
“Comes Soldier’s Whisper is a heart felt reminder of what our past generation went through during WWll. An intimate peek of love put on hold with all the sadness and joy of waiting for life to return to normal. A must read for anyone who had family or friends who served during this time in our history. It makes our difficulties of today seem small compared to what our nation’s youth suffered for our generation. It makes you want to thank every service person you see in uniform today. Thank you Jenny for sharing your family treasure with us.”

- Tom Downham
“When Daddy Comes Home is a must read for Veterans’ Families and is a timely addition to Children’s Books. Very well done presentation of a sensitive issue facing far too many families today.”

- Mary Ann Rike
“God gives some of us special gifts of the sixth senses. You are a blessing to all of us veterans. We all have stories to tell and some need encouragers like you to pick us apart wound by wound to portray military service as an honor not a curse. Thank you, Jenny!”

– Robert Demetry, Vietnam Veteran

- Robert Demetry
Comes A Soldier’s Whisper: Compelling and Inspirational

- Carol
Comes A Soldier’s Whisper: Bravo to the author for writing this book!

- K.B. Smith
Vietnam And Beyond: A Personal View of War

- Jamie McGrath
Vietnam And Beyond: One of the most insightful books written about Vietnam so far.

- Alex

Contact Me

Are you a veteran with a story to tell?
Do you know a veteran that you would like for us to honor?

We want to hear about your family member or friends who served in the military, all wars past and present.

It would be an honor to feature your stories on Facebook and Twitter!

~ Jenny La Sala

Follow My Daily Veteran Stories HERE

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Never Forgotten

When Daddy Comes Home

Vietnam & Beyond

Comes A Soldier’s Whisper

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Jenny La Sala

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