Camel Red - Athlete, soldier, and World War II hero saved lives and deserves the Medal of Honor

"Camel Red rekindled the impact of the day at Valley Forge Army Hospital when I recognized

a man I had known since high school days as a respected competitor on the playing field."

"It captures the essence of what this most courageous patient experienced, his pain, suffering, and

resiliency. It shows how against all odds this battlefield hero managed not only to survive, but to go

on to lead an exemplary life."

--Dr. Joseph E. Murray

1990 Recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine

Dear Mr. Page:

I just finished reading Camel Red and it was awesome. Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. Not only is it a great historical novel about a hero's sacrifice during World War II, but it is one of the most riveting love stories I've ever read. He was such a remarkable man and she an amazingly wonderful and supportive woman.

Thanks for writing it.

Edie D.... Cincinnati, OH

Dear Mr. Page:

Congratulations on a great accomplishment. Camel Red was the best book I ever read. It has so much packed into it about important heroes like Fr. Connors and Nobel Prize Winner Dr. Joseph Murray. I never knew about the special hospital established for the blind in Avon, Connecticut. It was an education for me.

Yours truly,

Shirley W....Cambridge, MA

Dear Mr. Page:

I started reading Camel Red on my flight to LA and finished it two days later on my return to Boston. I learned so much I did not know about World War II, the amazing doctors and the sacrifices so many made for our freedoms. It seemed so fitting that someone as patriotic as Azelia would pass away on the 4th of July.

I'll be watching for your next book.

Best regards,

Chris B...El Paso, TX

Dear Greg:

I just finished reading Camel Red last night. It was fantastic!

I expected to read a factual and interesting story but what I didn't expect is how well you captured the spirit of what Larry and his wife, and the country for that matter went through, which to me is what the story is really about. I'd be interested to know more about how Larry affected you personally.

What an incredible accomplishment.

Congratulations!

Best regards,

Mo....Jacksonville, FL

Excerpt from the Communications Coordinator of the Blinded Veterans Association November 6, 2003, (Written prior to publication.)

Dear Greg:

I have spent much of my week engrossed in CAMEL RED. Needless to say, I have enjoyed it immensely to the degree that it was next to impossible to put it down. I only regret that it took me so long to actually pick up the manuscript. I hope that many members of our Association might be able to read it in the future and learn more about Larry Heron's heroism and the way he approached life. Your book can teach us many things. Most importantly, it made me wish that I had had the chance to meet Larry, Azelia, and his children. Maybe the latter will still be possible at some time.

I understand now that it may have been impossible for Larry to become more involved than he was with BVA because of his many other obligations. He definitely had a full life and many responsibilities. I will make an effort in the coming days to locate those who knew him. I'm sure that as I speak with those from his regional group, many will know a great deal about him.

I feel sure that the publication of this manuscript should be imminent. It is well written and captivating. I'm not sure what we can do on our end to help out, but the story as well as the style has my personal endorsement. Is it okay if I pass the manuscript I have to one of my co-workers, who is the director of government relations? I think she would enjoy it as well.

Once this wonderful work is published, I will most certainly publicize its availability in our BVA Bulletin. I hope things are progressing toward publication. Once again, thank you very much for helping me become aware of this wonderful story and of two people in particular to whom this country owes so very much.

Stuart Nelson

BVA Communications Coordinator

P.S. I enjoyed the references to Father Carroll. As we may have discussed the first time you called, he is a most esteemed figure in BVA history. We even have a memorial luncheon every year at our convention that is named after him. The speaker usually speaks either of Father Carroll himself or of what he taught the blinded veterans of the 1945-70 era.