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An American Flag
for Their Father (CLICK ON EACH WORD BELOW, TO SEE THE LINK TO THAT PARTICULAR PAGE) |
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"QUOTES" [
To have your Quote added to this page, simply email it to: annmariegeorgopolis@comcast.net
] When I emailed my older brother
Marty the original version of this story, back on April 11, 2003, while
he was actually over in the Middle East fighting the war, this is what
his email back to me said... "Re - Damn it, I've got tears streaming
down my face. That is a beautiful story. I'll reply when I get more
composed later. Love Marty" - That's when I knew I had a nice story
on my hands! - Annmarie Georgopolis, Author - East Hampstead, NH "Thank you for your kind
words and expressions of sympathy. Your thoughtfulness has touched our
hearts. [Your children's book was very much appreciated.]" - President
Gerald R. Ford's family - Rancho Mirage, CA. "Thank you for the inscribed copy of your book, An American Flag for Their Father. I appreciate your thoughtful gesture and kind words. Our Nation is grateful for the courage, dedication, and sacrifice of our veterans. By answering the call of duty, our brave men and women in uniform have helped secure our Nation, liberate others from the threats of tyranny and terror, and advance the universal hope of freedom around the world. Laura and I send our best wishes. May God bless you, and may God continue to bless America." - President George W. Bush - Washington, D.C. "I recently received a copy of your book, An American Flag for Their Father, and would like to take the time to thank you for sharing your first children's book with me. I found it to be a very inspirational story especially for our youth. Also, I would like to express my appreciation for your support and kind words. Congratulations on your first book and I wish you well on your future endeavors. Once again, thank you." - Senator John McCain - Washington, D.C. "Thank you for your book An American Flag for Their Father, and the flags that you enclosed. I look forward to reading it over the weekend. I know that you are very proud of your father and brother. Have a good day. God Bless America."- Senator Bob Dole - Washington, D.C. "Thank you for providing me with a copy of your book, An American Flag for Their Father. It was a very thoughtful and generous gesture. I wish you much success in your charitable efforts. Again, thank you for your kindness. Please do not hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance in the future."- Governor John H. Lynch - Concord, NH "I have been trying to find
your snail-mail address, so that I could write you a proper thank you
for the gift you made me of your lovely book,"An American Flag
for Their Father", which I was handed at an Operation Troop Support
meeting some weeks ago. It was a beautiful surprise - and I was touched
by the thought, but most of all impressed by the book. I took it with
me to show my daughter, Reverend Mother Margaret Georgina Patton, at
her Abbey of Regina Laudis, in Bethlehem,Connecticut, where among the
nuns there is one who landed as a nurse on D-Day at Normandy, and others
with military connections. The book really affected all the readers
there. I congratulate you on your fine accomplishment and thank you
for your extraordinary kindness in giving me an inscribed copy for myself.
I hope you will come tell the group about it at one of the upcoming
Operation Troop Support meetings!" - Mrs. Joanne Patton, General
George Patton's daughter-in-law - South Hamilton, MA "My best to you. [Thank you for the autographed copy of your children's book.]" - Judge Judith Sheindlin - New York, NY "Thank you so much for the beautiful book. It is such a beautiful story. I laughed, cried, and enjoyed the irony at the end when the seniors gave the kids the flag and the kids in turn donated their earnings. I still have goosebumps and tears in my eyes. My students are going to love this story! It is very perfect timing with Memorial Day and Flag Day both coming soon. Thank you so much for thinking of me. I love the book!" - Julie Goslin, School Teacher - Chelmsford, MA "My husband is scheduled
to deploy soon. I have found many books and resources [to help] military
spouse[s] but none for my 5-year-old son. Can you tell me of any good
books for military children regarding deployment? Actually, any children’s
books related to military would be a great help." - Bridgette Fort
Hood, TX, Active Army spouse; 4 years "Thank you so much for the book you sent to me An American Flag for Their Father. It's a great book. I will share it with many and ask for others to purchase it. Continue to take care of yourself and stay inspired. Warm Regards, Ms. Vicki" - Vicki Johnson, columnist for the Fort Campbell Courier Newspaper - Fort Campbell, KY "I think the story is wonderful
- The transitions really flowed and I could picture the children and
the events. And it was extra special because I knew this is what you
did. I really love it. I loved the tale - loved that it was 'your story'
of growing up and it was a story that would be exciting for kids to
read" - Joan Gerowitz - Newton,
MA "A Home Run in Her First
At-Bat - This is a splendid novelette! Quite a timely, touching, and
meaningful story that is bound to hold the attention of young children
and adults." - Captain Brian D. Kelley, USCG - Centreville, VA "I felt like I was walking over the sand dunes and along the beach when I read your book. I wanted to be there and had to settle for the image. The ending was perfect .............. and I like banana-flavored Popsicles myself. " - Christopher Gurshin, Artist - Glastonbury, CT "Your
book is SO very wonderful. We have it proudly displayed in our headquarters!"
- Amy Oxford, co-coordinator "I want to take a moment
and send along a note of thanks for your generous gift after our meeting
at the UNO Chicago Grill in Haverhill. Although the book is directed
at children I enjoyed both the story and the honorable spirit of the
writing. Your dedication brought me to tears as I recalled the many
hours spent around my kitchen table both as a child and young adult
listening to my own father's stories about World War 2. My Dad had the
"Honor", a word he used often, of serving in the First Division
as a Sergeant, driving half-tracks and keeping the assorted armored
carriers rolling. As I told you and Lieutenant Colonel Hickey, Freedom
is not Free and doing the right thing is never the same as doing the
easy thing. I thank you for a trip down memory lane of my days here
on the south shore at Nantasket beach and for bringing to my mind this
Thanksgiving, all that I, and we as a nation have to be thankful for.
People like yourself, your brother and our fathers are all people I
am thankful for." - Norman MacLennan, QSC partner, Uno Chicago
Grill - Braintree, MA "Once a month all of my fellow members of the VFW, Hampstead, N.H. gather for our monthly breakfast meeting. Rick Hartung presented to many of us a copy of your book, "An American Flag for Their Father". May I express my appreciation and sincere thanks to you for writing a book such as this. As a veteran of US Army Occupation Forces, Germany, I was so deeply impressed with this writing it brought tears to my eyes. When I got home that same morning, I presented the book to my wife. She too was so very moved and impressed with the book. Please also pass along my thanks to Susan Spellman for the illlustrations." - Harold Essegian - Salem, NH "Annmarie, you do not know me from a cord of wood, but I have to tell you how great your book is and how excited I am. My sons were alter boys here on Plum Island during the summer season with some of your brothers. We moved here permanently when we retired, and now feel like 'locals'. Anyway, several of my kids remember your brothers and you selling Popsicles on the beach. Great work Annmarie. We are excited and thankful that you wrote the book." - Marie Lojek - Plum Island, Newbury, MA "Your story brought 'tears of joy' to my eyes when I read it. I hope your story gets into the hands and hearts of Veterans and Americans interested in a true Family Story. If we learned nothing else from Vietnam, we learned to separate the politics from the soldier. Thank you for your story! It's healing!" - Robert F. Beal Jr., New England Regional VP of the Veteran's Advisory Board VERIZON - Boston, MA "I just wanted to let you know that I got your wonderful little book and I sat down and read it, cover to cover. And I am very impressed. The book is very wonderful." - Richard Hartung, Chairman, Hampstead Board of Selectmen - Hampstead, NH "Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the book. Good job! The pictures were great. They looked so much like your parents. Best of luck on the book." - Ellen Melvin - Methuen, MA "What a wonderful, delightful, patriotic story! We both loved it. My husband, Bob, said it was very touching and I certainly agreed. (I read the last pages through tears.) Certainly what our world needs now is more stories like this, more families like yours and more terrific writers, like yourself. Once again, thank you very much for allowing us the great pleasure of reading your book. We will treasure it, and its message, always." - Marlene & Bob Goodell - Hillsborough, NJ "Many a hot summer day I watched you and one of your brothers (usually Chris) trudging through the sand with your heavy cooler. And now to have it immortalized in your wonderful, charming children's book just delights me. And what an added treat to see our cottage on the cover!!!! Of course I had tears in my eyes reading it. I trust with your talent there will be many more books to come." - Mrs. Pauline Lemmon - Plum Island, Newbury, MA & Corona Del Mar, CA "Congratulations on becoming an author! I'm very proud of you as I am sure your mother is also. I'm sorry your father isn't here to share your joy. You know, Annmarie, I've had lots of students, but you are the first to become a writer. I wish you the best in the future. Keep on writing. The story is inspiring. And there is a wonderful lesson for young people who read it." - Marion Bryant, retired 6th grade English teacher, Newbury Elementary School - Newburyport, MA "This book is a wonderful example of family ties, separation, and old friendships renewed while telling a poignant story gently weaving current American conflicts with the past. It will be an asset in the elementary classroom when studying and observing our American holidays." - Liz DiPrima, 2nd grade teacher, North Salem Elementary School - Methuen, MA "I enjoyed reading this book. It was a nice story and also teaches kids how special the flag is. I thought the Illustrations really added a lot to the book, kind of like adding frosting to a cake." - Ed Hajjar - Methuen, MA "Just finished the book. It's great. I was weeping
in parts of it. It's a lovely story." "I thought the book was adorable! I hope that you write many more like it." - Sister Liz Bickar - Long Island, NY "It is a wonderful tribute to your entire family. Beautiful story." - Kara J. Herard - Webster, MA "I just sat down and read your book; I really, really liked it. It brought tears to my eyes and big goose bumps all over. Having had the pleasure of knowing your Dad and Mom, I can envision your Dad's flag salute with the kids and feel the loving care of your Mom. My Dad also fought in the big war; I can imagine his happiness at meeting an old buddy from the war. I too, love big flags!" - Jill Buschmann, Doctor of Chiropractic - Tenants Harbor, ME "Please tell me that this is a true story. After reading this delightful and wonderful story, I realized I had heard parts of it before. Annmarie had shared stories of her summers on Plum Island. I got to meet all the main characters and visited her childhood home. It is a great book for children of all ages." - Mary Cavanagh - Apollo Beach, FL "A sincere example of the
ideal children's book. An easily understandable tale of the happiness
that can result when people are honest, generous, and hard working.
It also addresses the synergies of grandparents with grandchildren and
the ultimate joys of sacrifice and patriotism. Most especially grand
is that this story demonstrates the existence of synchronicity. C.G.
Jung's classic, 'Synchronicity: An Acausal Connecting Principle,"
defines this as "a meaningful coincidence of two or more events,
where something other than the probability of chance is involved.' Safety
is also addressed with the inclusion of the "not going with anyone,
no matter how nice" admonition neatly woven into the story. Both
children and those fortunate enough to be asked to read it to them will
enjoy this short story." "I am so pleased for you. I know that you loved dad with all your heart and this is such a wonderful tribute to his memory and his service to our country. I am very proud of your accomplishment." - Christopher Hickey - Wolfeboro, NH "All the people in my office that have purchased the book are raving about the illustrations!!!! So many have commented, 'It was a real feel-good book that brings the parents back to a simpler time that the young kids don't know about today!!' You did a good job Re. I'm proud!" - Neil Hickey - Tyngsboro, MA "CONGRATULATIONS! You did it and the finished product is absolutely wonderful." - Christine Tepper - Alburg, VT "I had inadvertently skipped over your acknowledgment page in the front. When I did read it, it brought tears to my eyes! Your acknowledgement to "the girls" and in particular to Mae Mae (Millie to you) was precious. Years ago she shared some stories you had written about your childhood at Plum Island and I remember how proud she was of you. And I remember how much I enjoyed reading them because it brought back such wonderful, fond memories of my childhood spending summers there with The Hickey's. I loved how you incorporated your childhood memories with today's world. And even the illustrations are right on! You should be really proud of yourself; I know your family and friends are. I can't wait for the next book!" - Sue Letizia-Eddy - Hingham, MA "A patriotic story set on Plum Island by first-time author Annmarie Hickey Georgopolis, An American Flag for Their Father tells the story of two children, Meghan and Jonathan, whose father is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves in Iraq. With charming black and white illustrations by Susan Spellman, An American Flag for Their Father is the perfect summer read for any child struggling with the absence of a loved one during wartime, and for anyone else interested in a heartwarming tale of patriotism as seen through children's eyes." - Jabberwocky Bookstore - Newburyport, MA "I really enjoyed this book and believe other veterans will as well. The American flag means more to me than just a piece of cloth. It represents freedom and all the liberties that most Americans take for granted. Wartime veterans like Marty, his father and I know all too well that freedom is not free." - Colonel Dick Carnevale, US Army - Wenham, MA "Heartwarming, uplifting and a very inspirational patriotic message for readers of all ages." - Christine Kneeland, Principal, Salisbury (MA) Elementary School - Rowley, MA "One word: Refreshing. In times like these, all it takes is a good book like this to remind us to appreciate the people that make (and have made) our country great. And a banana Popsicle doesn't hurt either!" - Joe DiPrima, District Chairman, North Essex District, Yankee Clipper Council, Boy Scouts of America - Methuen, MA Annmarie
can be contacted at - 603-382-3563 or annmariegeorgopolis@comcast.net |
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| ©2005 Annmarie (Hickey) Georgopolis |