Literary Las Vegas: Wednesday Warriors

“Silence in the Sound” author Merle Savage shared the story of her grandson Alex Michael Savage’s death serving in Iraq and his final journey home in the arms of his father with members of her writing group, the Wednesday Warriors. The story’s strength inspired the Las Vegas-based group of civil servants-turned-writers to compile a book of stories celebrating American valor.

“I Pledge Allegiance: Stories of Valor, Heroism and Patriotism” includes stories by Savage, Charles McKee, Jack Miller, Marshal Taylor, Rena Winters, Robert Fregeau, Robert Crawley, Keith Bettinger, Dennis Griffin, Rob Corbin and Michael MacQuarrie. The authors plan to donate their proceeds from book sales to the USO Las Vegas, which provides respite and services to U.S. service members and their families traveling through McCarran International Airport. For more information on the book, call Houdini Media at 702-798-4789 or visit houdinipublishing.com.

Excerpt from ‘I Pledge Allegiance’

As I stood at the counter waiting to board, the gentleman at the counter said he liked my bag, another fellow comrade in arms, I told him that I was escorting my son home. The man’s eyes dimmed and he slowly bowed his head and mouthed, “Sorry.”

I nodded back ... and in true Alex form, a woman next to me said, “Oh how nice you’re carrying your baby? Is he in there?”

Her husband in complete horror reached out slowly and touched her shoulder, she looked back at him and I said, “Ma’am I am escorting my son home.” She was devastated and we were hugged. “No worries ma’am, but if you keep up the crying I might breakdown and join you here and no one will board the plane.” Alex and I had a great flight and as we landed my heart had finally reached its limits and quietly I sobbed. As the plane taxied to the gate the flight attendant announced the time, weather and where to claim baggage. Then as we rolled up to the gate they announced that they would like to welcome home a fallen soldier who is being escorted home by his father. They asked all passengers to remain seated until the father and son exited the plane,

“Welcome Home.”