On March 8, 1965, the first American
combat troops waded ashore at China
Beach, north of Da Nang. Armed with M-14s and patriotism, the soldiers made
their way into unforgiving enemy territory, vowing to end the reign of the North
Vietnamese Army.
From these historic
and trying moments came incredible stories. Samuel Axelrad, who was the commander of a
medical company in the First Calvary Division, has a remarkable tale of human
compassion that proves kind deeds are never forgotten no matter the distance or
time apart.
As commander, Dr.
Axelrad was in charge of over 250 military physicians, who would care for
wounded soldiers on base in Vietnam during the war. He made a pledge to care
for anyone who was in need of attention regardless of the person’s origin or
creed. When a wounded Viet Cong guerilla fighter arrived, he was treated immediately
with the best of care. Unfortunately, his right arm had to be amputated, but
the team of medics was able to save the young man’s life. The bones of the
man’s arm were reassembled and given to Dr. Axelrad due to him playing a key role in saving him.
The medics named the man “Charlie” and over the years they accepted Charlie as
one of their own despite being on opposite ends of the war.
Dr. Axelrad returned
home in 1967 and brought the arm bones of Charlie with him. It seemed like this
was goodbye forever between the two friends. However, over 45 years later in
2012, Dr. Axelrad returned to Vietnam, and with the help of a journalist,
Charlie was found in the same town where Dr. Axelrad left him.
Dr. Axelrad also returned to Vietnam in 2013 where he
brought along the bones of Charlie’s arm that he had kept over the years. They
were the “Peaceful Bones.”
Discover the journey through
Vietnam in search of one man only known by the name of “Charlie,” and how the
power of friendship can last a lifetime.
To Learn more about Dr. Axelrad’s
journey, please visit
A portion of the book sale proceeds
will be donated to Texans for Veterans that holds weekly retreats for veterans
with post traumatic stress disorder
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