Mike Monahan: New Author

Mike Monahan and Chico in Vietnam:  

On April 11, 2011, my husband, Mike Monahan, had a book-release at Joseph-Beth in Cincinnati, OH for "From the Jungle to the Boardroom" (at Amazon.com) 

The book highlights his journey from his tour in Vietnam with the 46^th IPSD (Tay Ninh) 25^th Div, to leading a nonprofit organization in Cincinnati since 1994 and his return to Vietnam in 2000. He was a scout dog handler from 1969-70 and through the years had reconnected with a couple of the guys from his platoon here and there, but nothing that was lasting until April 11, 2011.

I had been researching on the web, trying to find the men from his platoon and finally found one, JL Davis. JL made his first trip out in the field with Mike and Chico, back in 1969. He sent me an email telling me that he wouldn’t be able to make it to the book-release (which I was hoping to surprise Mike with!), and I was so disappointed.

Well, lo and behold, when we arrived at Joseph-Beth, two-hours early (thank goodness!), JL and another gentleman by the name of Carroll “Rich” Richardson, were there! They had driven from Tennessee (JL lives in Glasgow, KY) in a drenching rain to be a part of Mike’s special day. I have attached pictures of their initial meeting, along with another shot and crowd shots of the evening.

The three of them had the opportunity to sit and chat at the coffee shop at Joseph-Beth until show-time for Mike and it was truly a blessed evening. Since then, they have stayed in touch by email and are planning a get-together in the near future, hopefully with other members of the platoon also.

Mike Monahan, Author  

And what a special day it was! Over 300 people were there to kick-off the release of “From the Jungle to the Boardroom!” That evening, Mike signed over 350 copies of the book and another 50 copies for Joseph-Beth.

The book has been a blessing to many that have read it. It has opened the door for many vets to talk of their experiences in Vietnam and begin to heal their hearts. It’s not just a story about Vietnam. It’s a story from inside the man who was in Vietnam and how it changed him and how he changed in order to be free.

Amazon.com: "From the Jungle to the Boardroom"

From the Jungle to the Boardroom was also listed by Inc. magazine as #1 on this month’s best seller’s list. http://www.inc.com/best-business-books

Much love and hugs to all veterans and their families,
     Nancy Monahan

P.S. Perhaps you wonder why this is so important to me? It took years for my husband to allow his medals to literally “come out of the closet.” I would get them out, he would put them back. His children never even knew he was in Vietnam until right before he returned to Vietnam with his son, Brad. As the last line of the first email I sent says, It’s a story from inside the man who was in Vietnam and how it changed him and how he changed in order to be free. So many vets just sit with it inside their hearts. And most of the time, it sits in a dark spot. One of my goals is to bring the dark spot into the light. And it already has! ~Nancy

“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do. And by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale