As Veterans Day approaches, a book authored by Patrick Grosh takes special meaning.

“Now and Then,” is a 23 page mini-tome describing his one year, seven months and five days with the U S Army’s 101st Air Mobile attachment to the B Company 159th Assault Support, Helicopter Battalion while serving in the Vietnam War.

Grosh, a 1967 Cardington High School graduate, said the first time he was asked about his time in service was when he was invited by his granddaughter to attend her sixth grade assembly at the Iberia School.

That prompted him to write the book.

Grosh, now a Mount Gilead rural resident, said he earned over 900 combat hours and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Air Medal. He noted his outfit had no casualties and did not lose one person.

“ Grosh has written a straightforward, intense account of his Vietnam experience,” Lisa Murray, director of the Cardington-Lincoln Public Library said. “I became engrossed from the start and finished feeling some of the fear and stress of that time in his life We take for granted our freedom and comforts far from the battlefields and must never forget the sacrifice our young people make in service of this great country. I’m glad Mr. Grosh’s story ends well and I thank him fo donating his book to the library.”

The book can also be found at the Mount Gilead Library and the Veterans Service office.

Grosh is retired from HPM where he worked 17 1/2 years; Galion Iron Works, 13 years and Bucyrus Machine Shop.

He is a life member of the VFW Post 8054; and belongs to AMVETS Post 87; America Legion Post 243, Moose Lodge and At His Feet Christian Center.

He and his wife, Brenda, have five children, seven grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren.

Courtesy photo Patrick N. Grosh
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2016/11/web1_Pat-Grosh.jpgCourtesy photo Patrick N. Grosh

By Evelyn Long

The Sentienl

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