Serving with Roger Bushell

“Serving with Roger Bushell”: A War Story Told Over Two Generations

John  Carr’s life changed forever on Christmas 40 years ago, when he received a present from his father that is still giving to him today. There in the cool basement of his grandparents’ Chicago home, his father and uncles smoked cigars and told war stories. One hero stood out: Roger Bushell, the British fighter pilot who had successfully dug his way out of a German POW camp, overcoming great obstacles to escape the Nazi regime.

Roger Bushell’s heroism stayed with John as he grew up and watched “The Great Escape” movie and read books. But on Sept. 11, 2001, Bushell became more than an inspiration. It was a calling.

In “Serving With Roger Bushell: The Longest War,” new author Carr tales readers in vivid detail through two very different yet truly connected war stories. Carr takes you back into the 1930s and 1940s, telling the story of how Roger Bushell changed from hot-shot skiing playboy in Britain to a respected fighter pilot who spent much of World War 2 trying to regain his freedom. At the same time, Carr deftly weaves in his own war story:

• Compelled to act after the terrorist attacks on New York City, John Carr joins the U.S. Army 
• After years of training, Carr is sent to Iraq as part of forces overseeing the post-Saddam Hussein transition
• Carr explains the war’s impact – really, its drain – on American soldiers, insurgents and Iraqi civilians 

Just as he learned that Hollywood’s version of Bushell’s heroism was far from reality, Carr takes you through his stark realization about the war’s legacy. Yes, these troops had overcome an evil regime. But now, years later, casualties mounted and natives were as eager for Americans to leave as the troops themselves were OK with escaping endless sand and heat. What was all this for?

Carr’s memoir gives readers an inside look at the reality of war, beyond the battlefields. On one short visit from Iraq back to be with his then-fiancee in New York, Carr writes: 

I looked down at pedestrians walking to work.  Do they know how easy their civilian lives are?  What if the city shuts off the water and electricity supply?  Can they manage?  Do I have anything in common with them?  After Melissa got dressed and we walked through the lobby, I felt an urge to stop her because she wasn’t wearing any body armor over her doctor’s coat. 

I have to stop thinking like I do in Iraq. It’s weird being here.

“Serving with Roger Bushell” is John Carr’s first book. You can download the e-book and follow John as he explains the process of writing the book and what he hopes readers take away from it online:
Blog – http://rogerbushellblog.com

Facebook – http://facebook.com/rogerbushellblog

Twitter – http://twitter.com/thebushellblog