After graduating from the University of Missouri in 1969 I was commissioned as an officer in the Marines. I served an interesting 'tour of duty' in Southeast Asia in 1972, during which time I was "in and out" of six different countries...including Vietnam. A greenhorn lieutenant when I landed, I was eventually promoted to captain. Because of my God given 'take charge personality' and a few "very junior officer" notable accomplishments I found myself frequently being handpicked for special assignments. I 'saw action' with seven different units...some good ...some bad...some ugly. I saw men die. I saw capable men withered by fatigue, brave men crippled by fear. Since I served, more than forty years ago now, I have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting and getting to know hundreds of fellow-Vietnam Vets; short term acquaintances, professional colleagues, neighbors, close friends, family members. Although our individual Vietnam stories are unique and intensely personal, I have come to realize that a common thread runs through most of them. For more than twenty-five years I have been asked to formally speak to sundry civic organizations, history classes, and social gatherings. As a result of fielding thousands of audience questions and listening to their spontaneous reactions to my "talks" I have learned what people are interesting in hearing. I have seen their reactions to my version of America's 'Vietnam experience'. I know what's interesting and what's not; what's important to those who weren't there, ordinary people who merely wonder 'what it was like'. I have enjoyed two "successful careers" and am currently embarked upon my third. I have fired most of life's best bullets, emptied most of my chosen weapon's most precious magazines, drained my fullest canteens, exhausted most of my allotted time on this fair planet we call earth. I want to share a few of the stories of men I served with, men I came to know later in life, men I loved as brothers-in-arms surviving in harm's way; or men who were simply 'Crazy Vietnam Vets' (like me) with a special story to tell. "Men JUST like me...only different " Ours are interesting up and down tales of wonder and weird, of good times and bad. I am happily married to a "seasoned" school nurse, am the father of three college educated sons, and have two fine grandsons. I live in Blanco, Texas about forty miles due west of Austin. I have always viewed life's glass as half full; hope you enjoy our 'Not Ordinary' war stories.

"Spirit Speaks. Are You Listening?" follows the remarkable spiritual journey of a woman who knew from early childhood that she had a wise and true voice within that spoke to her from realms beyond. Valerie Croce Stiehl outlines a life path every one of us can take if we long for inner peace and fulfillment. Hers are words to live by, road signs that can be followed readily no matter where you are on your path. She tells of her early years as the suddenly single mother of five children; years of deprivation as she worked and went to school and struggled to put food on the table for her family; a later executive career in Manhattan; a transforming Near Death Experience as a result of a devastating car crash; and a decade living on an Indian reservation in South Dakota. Those experiences forged a woman of towering strength, love and purpose-guided surely by Spirit. It has been said of her by a spiritual teacher that she lives in a state of grace. This book confirms the fact. ""Enlightened, deeply spiritual welcome, 'Spirit Speaks' fulfills the seeker's quest for truths both mundane and ethereal."" Swami Bhimasen - Sivanda Ashram, India ""Valerie shares with us connedtedness to the universe, not unlike Nicholas Black Elk, who, like her, left behind a comfortable world to seek truth and beauty in the natural spiritualism of Native American culture."" Don Wigal, Ph.D. - Experiences in Faith (1970)

Since the Genie is the "ghost" writer for the book, it is appropriate to let the Genie say a few words about himself:

"I am a genie. You may wonder what that really means and how I come to write this little book. Well, fi rst of all, I am not from or of your world. I live in a dimension of fi re and light. I am basically a fi re spirit. Just so you know, we genies are alive. We don't experience life as you do, but we are living, thinking creatures.

"You humans take us genies for granted. Most of you have very little idea of the tremendous service that we provide for your kind. Everything in your world that is of a fi ery or electrical nature is administrated by a genie or djinn assigned to that function. Without us, your world as you know it would cease to exist. Even the very sun that is the source of life and nourishment for your planet is a mighty Djinn."

From within the book, the Wizard Merlyn has a few thoughts about the book that he would like to share:

"Know, my little friend, that what you hold in your hands is a key to the mysteries of life, and that it has greater depth and importance than you initially can discern. Through these pages you have been given permission to enter other realms, and-once you have entered in, and as you maintain the requirements of each domain-you may travel within again and again for growth, learning, healing, inspiration and creation."

Its 3:00 a.m. on a chilly March morning. You are curled deep within your bed and even deeper within the realm of sleep. Suddenly you are shaken from this peaceful moment by a loud voice that says very plainly, "WAKE UP " As you lie very still willing your heart to slow to normal, you become aware of voices around you. Who are they? Who are they speaking to? Each voice determined to be heard, each one wanting to give an account. All of their stories are very different except for one common thing: the endings all seem to be the same. You realize that you are in the middle of a conversation, somewhere between reality and sleep, somewhere between the physical and the non-physical. Is this a dream? Is part of this a dream and part of it real? If so, which is which? You begin to listen closer and to wake up. You have heard detailed information about the lives of individuals that lived over a hundred years ago, and all are speaking of their experiences in an Ohio lunatic asylum. Then the conversation moves from past to present, and suddenly they are speaking to you They begin to involve you in this conversation and ask for your help. Could you do what is asked of you? Could you make sense of this? Discover the people and their stories that have been independently verified as they unfold, and this story now becomes a quest. Find out how an Ohio blacksmith and his family accept this challenge and begin an unforgettable journey between the present and the past.

For several months starting February 1, 2011, I committed myself to sitting at my computer once each day after meditation for the purpose of opening my mind and energy to receive information. I had no way of knowing what would come through these sessions or where the information would lead me. But I felt compelled--body, mind, and spirit--to commit myself to this endeavor. The Open Door Manuscript is the result of that focus.