Dearest Mother and Dad

By: Christina Thompson

Narrated by: Gary Bennett

Length: 5 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

"One hundred and twenty Marines wounded. Eighteen dead. All for one lousy hill".

Corpsman Orrin Connor’s faithful letters with a touching twist shield his parents from the horrors of war. His buddy Rawley Armstrong’s poignant letters give his sister the harrowing truths. Throughout their dangerous assignments during the Korean War, they debate the consequences of their choices. Orrin gains comfort in downplaying his experiences while Rawley feels a healing purge. As they get to know the Marines in their charge, the corpsmen gather a variety of opinions. Although Orrin and Rawley disagree, their friendship remains true until the bitter end.

“It all happened within minutes. For some, it would last a lifetime".

Based on her father’s letters to his parents throughout the Forgotten War, author Christina Thompson has produced this work of historical fiction to pay tribute to Navy corpsmen by remembering their service to their brothers and their country. Imagining her father had guarded his parents from the carnage of war, Christina elaborates on what could have happened while staying true to the dates and experiences her father shared in his actual letters.

©2020 Christina Thompson (P)2021 Christina Thompson

A Korean War story

I'll be honest, about all I know about the Korean War I learned from watching MASH. This story is more "slice of life" and some of the scenes could have been made into a MASH episode. I liked how the story was structured with letters home. Gary Bennett did a good job narrating.

Slice of war

A piece of a life, told through letters home. The story was wonderfully done, and I think Thompson did a wonderful job paying homage to her father's experiences. Bennett really brought the story to life, and it was a captivating listen. If you're looking for a story about heroics, or thrilling spy missions, this isn't what you're looking for. If, instead, you want something that is more of a peek into the life of a soldier, then you've found the perfect book. War is never easy, and this book will tug on your heartstrings. A great listen.

Letters from a son to his parents

This was about a son writing letters to his mother and father while at war. He wrote to them about what he was experiencing and seeing while fighting in the Korean War in between the letters there was stories he told about his days some of the letters were very emotion and it was hard listening to them I found it very endearing that he kept writing to them all the time it’s a very sentimental read.