Vietnam veteran to host book signing

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BROOKINGS – Craig Tschetter was an innocent 18-year-old Marine when he went to Vietnam. He survived the anguish of combat for 20 months, only to realize years later that the war hasn’t ended.

Now the Brookings veteran and author is sharing his story through “Fifteen Minutes Ago: A Vietnam War Memoir.”

Tschetter will host a book signing from 5-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, at the South Dakota Art Museum. Books are also available at Brookings Book Co. and Threads of Memories.

Tschetter was born and raised in South Dakota. At age 18, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a combat radio operator for 20 months in Vietnam before returning to San Diego to complete his military service as a drill instructor. 

After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 1971, he returned to South Dakota to attend college and start a family.

Educated with a degree in mortuary science, he worked for more than 30 years in funeral service, retiring in 2005. Today, he lives with his wife, Della, in Brookings, continues to write, speak at high school classes and enjoy retirement. 

His new book was released last month in stride with the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, as a tribute and testament to all who lost their lives and those still living with the memories of their experiences.

Within its pages, readers will follow Tschetter’s journey as a small-town boy surviving the war in Vietnam through extreme lengths. Just a teenager, he found himself looking at death, destruction and impossible decisions that would haunt his dreams for decades to come. Though he left the war alive, he carried it back home in pieces through the memories and people who left indelible marks on his life.

“For anyone living with the horrors of combat, this book could provide some peace to know they are not alone,” Tschetter said. “I would hope the reader sees that healing from trauma means to face your pain on a day-to-day basis in order to survive. Healing goes on forever.”

For more information, log onto www.fifteenminutesago.com.