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Brothers Forever    by Tom Sileo & Tom Manion Amazon.com order for
Brothers Forever
by Tom Sileo
Order:  USA  Can
Da Capo Press, 2014 (2014)
Hardcover, CD, e-Book
* *   Reviewed by Jessica Maguire

Written by Colonel Manion, USMC (Ret.) along with nationally syndicated columnist Tom Sileo, Brothers Forever is the heartfelt story of Col. Manion's son Travis, Travis' best friend Brendan Looney, and the bond that the two soldiers shared.

Travis and Brendan met during their first year at the US Naval Academy where the young midshipmen forged a friendship that would last for the rest of their lives. Travis, following his father's footsteps, became a Marine while Brendan, despite his color blindness, became a Navy SEAL.

In this post 9/11 world, both Travis and Brendan saw battle. The recollection of Travis' time in a particularly dangerous area of western Fallujah, known by soldiers as the Pizza Slice, gives readers a look at the fighting from the soldier's point of view. I found this perspective particularly interesting since it offers a different viewpoint than what the media offers.

Sadly though, both Travis and Brendan died fighting for the United States. Travis was killed in Iraq, followed three years later by Brendan's death in Afghanistan. The former roommates and best friends are now laid to rest beside each other at Arlington National Cemetery.

This difficult read brings to light the hardships that our soldiers and their families face in addition to the bonds that are formed along the way.

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