Friends for Life

Strangers Brought Together by the War in Iraq

By: Jennifer MackInday, Patti Donahue

Narrated by: Kevin Kollins

Friends for Life is a story about the experiences and recollections of two women who were strangers brought together through the yearlong deployment of their soldiers during the Iraq War.

Patti, the mother of Army medic Jon, and Jennifer, sister of infantry soldier James, forge a dear and lifelong friendship as their soldiers fight to stay alive in one of the most dangerous cities in Iraq. The story begins separately with the Patti and Jennifer's recollections of the day their soldiers deployed to Iraq from Ft. Lewis, Washington. As the book progresses, their separate stories of Army life grow together as their soldier's deployment continues. During the journey, tragedies occur and survival tactics are learned by the soldiers on the battlefield and the loved ones at home. The shared experiences, frequent communications, and constant support for each other grow into a sweet and lasting friendship.

This story is a unique, nonfiction, war story, through the eyes and emotions of a mother and sister. Though the two women were separated by many things, including thousands of miles, age, and interests, they were drawn together by shared terrors and overwhelming desire to communicate with and send comfort to their soldiers. The Iraq War is a modern war. This book demonstrates the positives and negatives for the families of modern soldiers. Communication is instant, yet, timing is unpredictable. Often, those at home know more about recent events than the soldiers in the battles themselves do.

Portions of this book contain actual instant messages with the soldiers, offering a window directly into the thoughts, words of expression, family closeness and anguish that was always present during the deployment. The book also serves as a guide to soldier's families for surviving a deployment.

©2009 Jennifer Mackinday (P)2016 Sandy Island Press