BOOK GROUPIE: AFA hero Lance Sijan's story is a true must-read
When I was 25 years old, in the 1990s, I lived in a cute little Air Force base house. I worked 20 hours a week writing greeting card copy. My husband and I had no children and my biggest responsibility was letting the cat in and out the door. I threw a fit if the neighbor’s barking dog woke me before 9 a.m.
Basically, I had everything I ever wanted out of life.
When Lance Sijan was 25 years old, in 1967, he was blown out of his F-4C Phantom over the mountains of Laos. The ejection resulted in a compound fracture to Sijan’s left leg, numerous fractures in his right hand, and head injuries.
His primary problem was evading the enemy forces working desperately to capture him. There were many things Sijan still wanted out of life.
Remembering my life at age 25 while reading about Sijan’s experience at the same age is difficult and humbling.
It is also a gift. Becoming familiar with Sijan’s heroic actions has made me a better person. I’m sure the same can be said for thousands of others.
Like me, many people affected by Sijan’s story came across it in Malcolm McConnell’s “Into the Mouth of the Cat.” he book tells the true story of Sijan, an Air Force Academy graduate who received the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Using detailed interviews with those close to Sijan, as well as U.S. military information, McConnell provides readers with an authentic account of Sijan’s extraordinary heroism.
“Into the Mouth of the Cat” covers events leading up to Sijan’s ejection, the courageous attempts to rescue him, and his six weeks evading capture.
The book details Sijan’s initial capture and his subsequent escape. With as much delicacy as possible, McConnell also informs readers about Sijan’s recapture, interrogation and torture.
During repeated brutal interrogations, Sijan never divulged information to his captors. Eventually, after being cared for by fellow prisoners, one of whom was a former squadron mate of Sijan’s at the Academy, Sijan died.
Since I’ve already told you Sijan’s story, you may question whether you need to read it yourself. Let me throw another question at you: If you’d never seen a rainbow, would my description of one be good enough, or would you want to see one for yourself?
“Into the Mouth of the Cat” is available from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. The Pikes Peak Library District has limited copies available.
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Anita Miller welcomes your book suggestions. Read her blog at bookgroupie.freedomblogging.com
or e-mail anita.l.miller@worldnet.att.net.
