Two Quiet Heroes and One Grateful Son

Book excerpt: This book of biographies evolved as I was growing up quite carefree as a young boy in a world that was engaged in World War II. I had two unsung heroes to guide me through my formative years. My grandfather Joseph Wiest (Jojo) was a colorful survivor of the Spanish-American War. As a youngster, Jojo told me about his military adventures, holding me absolutely spellbound. I was so impressed that I remember these stores to this day word for word that I heard seventy years ago. My father (Norman J.) was a quiet man, but he too was my idol. Jojo and Dad both blessed me with a solid foundation of principles and values to live by. I also saw them many times bless unknown individuals with their random acts of kindness. I wrote this book with fond and humorous memories from what seemed like only yesterday. Yet, today I’m a seventy eight years young country boy from Western New York.