Joe Bonsall is a successful entertainer with more than 20 years as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys. He has also written a series of children's books about Molly the Cat. In GI Joe & Lillie, he weaves a down-to-earth tale - the true story of his parents.
GI Joe, his dad, and Lillie, his mother, are presented with all their strengths and weaknesses. Neither parent comes from wealth, education or a strong family background, yet like so many of their generation, these two ordinary young people became the defenders of freedom during WWII.
GI Joe dropped out of high school and joined the Army in 1943. He was one of thousands of soldiers in the Allied invasion of Normandy. Lillie, the youngest of eleven children, was born in North Carolina. Her dad pulled her out of school in the ninth grade because he wanted her working in the cotton fields. She left home in 1943, moved to Michigan and found work in a defense plant which was the home of "Rosie the Riveter." In 1944, she joined the WACs (Women's Army Corps).
After several days of intense combat, GI Joe ended up with multiple bullet wounds and a body filled with shrapnel from grenades and mortar shells. He saved his platoon and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters.
Following the war, Lillie was helping check in soldiers returning home. She and GI Joe ended up in the same place at the same fateful time. They met, fell instantly in love and married seven days later. The book chronicles their life. GI Joe had years and years of surgery to remove shrapnel. Nightmares plagued him the rest of his life. He suffered from post-traumatic stress, long before the condition was recognized and the term was coined.
Lillie stood by him through it all, committed to him through love and respect. Her life was filled with constant challenges as she tried to cope with his problems. In 1964, GI Joe suffered a stroke that left him with a life-long paralysis. By then, he and Lillie had two children, Joe and Nancy.
Joe tells their story simply and with a great deal of love and respect. Through this story, we come to know them and him. We are introduced to two people who lived through difficult times and tragic circumstances, but their love and faith was strong. It is a compelling story of family.
Pat McGrath Avery
GI Joe & Lillie
Joe Bonsall is a successful entertainer with more than 20 years as a member of the Oak Ridge Boys. He has also written a series of children's books about Molly the Cat. In GI Joe & Lillie, he weaves a down-to-earth tale - the true story of his parents.
GI Joe, his dad, and Lillie, his mother, are presented with all their strengths and weaknesses. Neither parent comes from wealth, education or a strong family background, yet like so many of their generation, these two ordinary young people became the defenders of freedom during WWII.
GI Joe dropped out of high school and joined the Army in 1943. He was one of thousands of soldiers in the Allied invasion of Normandy. Lillie, the youngest of eleven children, was born in North Carolina. Her dad pulled her out of school in the ninth grade because he wanted her working in the cotton fields. She left home in 1943, moved to Michigan and found work in a defense plant which was the home of "Rosie the Riveter." In 1944, she joined the WACs (Women's Army Corps).
After several days of intense combat, GI Joe ended up with multiple bullet wounds and a body filled with shrapnel from grenades and mortar shells. He saved his platoon and received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and the Purple Heart with two oak leaf clusters.
Following the war, Lillie was helping check in soldiers returning home. She and GI Joe ended up in the same place at the same fateful time. They met, fell instantly in love and married seven days later. The book chronicles their life. GI Joe had years and years of surgery to remove shrapnel. Nightmares plagued him the rest of his life. He suffered from post-traumatic stress, long before the condition was recognized and the term was coined.
Lillie stood by him through it all, committed to him through love and respect. Her life was filled with constant challenges as she tried to cope with his problems. In 1964, GI Joe suffered a stroke that left him with a life-long paralysis. By then, he and Lillie had two children, Joe and Nancy.
Joe tells their story simply and with a great deal of love and respect. Through this story, we come to know them and him. We are introduced to two people who lived through difficult times and tragic circumstances, but their love and faith was strong. It is a compelling story of family.
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