Home - Surviving The Folded Flag

Gold Medal Award Nomination by Military Writers Society of America

$14.95 plus postage

By: Deborah H. Tainsh,Gold Star Mom and author of AWARD WINNING

Heart of a Hawk: One family's sacrifice & journey toward healing, 2006 www.heartofahawk.com

author/speaker/writing workshop facilitator

Proud wife USMC Sgt Maj (ret) David Tainsh

Proud Gold Star Parents U.S. Army Sgt Patrick S. Tainsh KIA 2/11/04 Baghdad

order now: www.militaryfamilybooks.com

or direct from Deborah Tainsh: heartofahawk@msn.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

COMMENTS ABOUT SURVIVING THE FOLDED FLAG:

Deborah,

This book is wonderful, happy, sad and tragic. I can't chose enough words to describe it. Congratulations on a compilation of our fallen heroes true life stories so well done by you and the contributing Gold Star Moms.

I will be purchasing a few more books soon for friends who will appreciate it deeply and for a few friends that I hope will read it. Many people I have described your book to have expressed that it would depress them to read such stories, but for me quite the contrary has happened. Yes, I cry when I read each story, but I also feel a sense of pride knowing such wonderful people serve our country. I love reading their life's story. I hope this won't be the last and only Surviving the Folded Flag. I hope you will continue to compile more books like this one.

Thanks,
Your Friend,
Lynn, Orange County, California

*******************************************************************************************

Deb, your book, Surviving the Folded Flag, has provided the Pennsylvania Patriot Guard Riders a deep insight into the grieving of our military families that we support for many different reasons.

The book also gives us insight that will help us to better handle our heroes' missions. Before reading Surviving the Folded Flag, all we had to learn from were the experiences gained each time we met families and rode in honor of their heroes. Now, through Surviving the Folded Flag, the PA PGR has new information that will help us relate much better to the families we support.

Thank you,

Barry Bioni

Pennsylvania State Captain Patriot Guard Riders

***************************************************************************************

"Deborah, I admire your work."

Roger Cirillo, PhD

Director Book Program

Association of the US Army

Arlington, Va

___________________________________________________________

June 8, 2010

"Deborah, I purchased Surviving the Folded Flag at TAPS. I haven't finished reading it yet. But I wanted to tell you how much your book is helping me. I relate to all the stories because they say things I've wanted to say. Thank you for putting this together." Gold Star Mom, Nancy, Tempe, AZ

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ...feedback for Surviving the Folded Flag has been amazing. People are really being moved by reading these stories. I think it's really opening their eyes to the world we live in daily. I think it's actually inspiring people to appreciate our boys a lot more and to actually do things to make a difference. (donate to charities, thanking vets, etc) I'm very proud to have been a part of this awesome book." ... Chris Kruppa, former U.S. Army Sergeant, Iraq 2003-2004, and contributor to Surviving the Folded Flag...(A Soldier's Grief on the Battlefield) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deborah – You don’t know me, but I’m a friend of Chris Kruppa. Actually, he and my daughter went to high school together and he has a special place in my heart. I just want to thank you for introducing me to your son, Sergeant Patrick Tainsh, and all the other fallen hero’s and their families in your new book. I have to admit I mainly bought the book (through Chris) because he was able to see that more of the proceeds would get to the organizations helping the families of our fallen and wounded soldiers. (Plus I wanted to give a little extra) At first, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to experience the sadness I knew waited for me between these pages, but found I couldn’t help myself. Starting with your Author’s Note, I was already in tears. But I found myself constantly drawn to the stories of these families and the young men who sacrificed all for my freedom. Even picking up the book and reading during working hours. I know my two son’s, who are 25 and 28 years old, could have taken that path, but didn’t. When this war started, I use to go through the list of fallen soldiers weekly, and cry. Cry for their parents and families and cry that their life had to end so young. You and the parents who contributed to this book are an inspiration. I, who have never experienced the loss of a child, can only imagine the pain. I am so honored that you and these parents have shared part of your son’s lives and your sorrow at their loss. I now know that through these’s stories, these young men will live forever. That they are hero’s, you already know. That they will be remembered always …. Is now for certain. Sincerely, Cathie Halbrook Humble, Texas

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mrs. Tainsh, I became aware of your book Surviving the Folded Flag through my Friend, Chris Kruppa, whose Chapter – “A Soldier’s Grief” begins on Page 175 of the book. I read the book with a very heavy heart and felt compelled to send you this email to say “Thank You”. I, too, wish that it was a book that never had to be written. I will forever keep this book on my dining room table, which is the first thing you see when you enter my home, as a constant reminder of your Son Patrick and all of the other heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we may continue to enjoy our Freedom. I will be purchasing additional copies of the book to share with my children and Grandchildren. Please share my “Thank You” with all of the Gold Star Moms and their families. GOD Bless you, our Military, and GOD Bless America, Mike --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday, May 29, 2010 The Brat (Ros) Blog…Assoluta Tranquillita

Book Review: Surviving the Folded Flag: Parents of War share stories of coping, courage, and faith is probably one of the most beautiful, and heart-breaking books you will ever read. Deborah Tainsh, author and Gold Star Mom, has compiled the stories of over two dozen Gold Star Families. These families give us an answer to the question that is often asked about our fallen heroes: 'Where do we find such men and women?' Through the writings of these devastated parents, as they open their hearts and share their children with us, it is so apparent that every one of our heroes was the result of amazing parents. In the acknowledgments for this book, Deb Tainsh says: ...I wish with all my heart that such a book as this never had to be written. But unfortunately, this is planet earth and...humans are burdened with not only the joys of living, but also the pain. The pain in these pages cries out so loudly, that it is a painful book to read. With incredible honesty, each of the contributors to this book share their journey of initial denial, to anger, to unimaginable agony, and what they each do to survive such a loss. Many of them struggle with relationship issues within their marriages, as they try to come to terms with their own personal grief. Having said that, this is a book also filled with tremendous courage and laughter, and so many memories. Each of the parents recounts the births and formative years of their beloved children. US Army Chaplain Col. John C. Powledge says in the foreword: ...these are also stories of triumph, and in each families story we find the reason for America's strength... Indeed we do, and as we meet each of the families sharing their children with us, it is evident in every word, just how strong are the families of our fallen that nurture and raise the future heroes of the nation. Just as their children served their country, so do the parents continue to serve. This book is part of their ongoing service to help other Gold Star Families. Surviving the Folded Flag also should serve as a great education for all who live in this era of our countries at war. It is a clear reminder that 'every soldier is one of our own, and every soldier's family is our family.' Every Gold Star Parent who contributed to this book was asked by Deb to share advice to others who may be called to face the same situation, and share they do. This section alone is worth the cost of the book, and should be read by every American. Blue Star Mother Beverley Krause writes at the beginning of this collection: I read this book out of respect and honor...to learn how I could better serve Gold Star Parents... Because their children volunteered to serve and sacrifice for our freedoms, we owe as much. She is absolutely right. This book made me cry, made me laugh out loud, and gave me 'dot to dot (for that reference you need to meet Vikki Carver and her fallen hero son Navy Corpsman Charles "Otter" Sare.) It also affirmed for me the courage and grace of the Gold Star Family heroes who walk among us. You may think that this current Global War on Terror has nothing to do with you. In these pages, we meet just a few of the American heroes and their families, who prove differently. Surviving the Folded Flag: Parents of War share stories of coping, courage and faith should be on every bookshelf. It is my belief that when the history of this war is written, years from now, this book will prove to be one of the most important contributions to the archives. Surviving the Folded Flag...is being released Memorial Day 2010. The cost of the book is $14.95 plus shipping. Profits benefit TAPS and other military support organizations, including Soldiers' Angels, and you can find both of Deb's books at the SA online store here. You can also order from the publisher: www.elvaresa.com or if you want a personalized copy, contact Deborah Tainsh at heartofahawk@msn.com

Deborah Tainsh is also available for public speaking engagements

To learn more about Deb, go to

http://www.newsherald.com/news/day-83708-military-moms.html