"Lucky Enough"

by author Eddie R. Beesley

When Eddie Beesley's dreams of college on a basketball scholarship were dashed, he quit high school and joined the Marines. Motivated by opportunity and achievement, Eddie reveled in the physical and intellectual challenges offered by the Corps. He excelled in athletics, pursued an education and embraced the vigorous lifestyle of a young man in the military. He loved being a part of Delta Company, 1st Battalion, 4th Marines living and training in Hawaii in the early 1960s.
Then things began heating up in Vietnam. Delta Company waded ashore at Chu Lai in May 1965. It wasn't long before the confusing politics of Southeast Asia began to impact the young men who served there. Ready, willing and able to triumph over the enemy, Delta Company spent their days on patrol and their nights on guard duty wondering why they were not being allowed to fight and win. Their first losses were accidents. They were assigned to protect the Chu Lai Airstrip during Operation Starlite in August.

Then, on August 31, 1965, Delta Company went on patrol in force. Corporal Eddie Beesley's life changed that day.

"Lucky Enough" is the story of a remarkable man who spent a lifetime living despite wounds that might have destroyed a less determined person. Grim though his launch into adulthood at the tender age of nineteen was, Eddie reflects on the blessings he enjoyed -- a loving wife, children and grandchildren, friends and a business. His journey to middle age was a joyous one -- and yet, there was something he had to do -- an old debt to a man who died beside a hedgerow in Vietnam many years ago.

Eddie has been visiting troops wounded in Iraq, talking with them and giving them copies of Lucky Enough. He shares his experiences and positive perspectives -- offering hope for a happy and productive future.