Untouched Heroics is the true life-story of 95-year-old Tony Varone, an Italian immigrant raised in Brooklyn, New York who served in the United States Army from January 1941 until June 1945. Surviving eight campaigns as an infantryman in the Mediterranean and European Theatres of World War II, Tony escaped death and injury innumerable times, and saved a significant number of lives in the process. This historical and personal account draws on over 24 hours of author-recorded interviews to recreate the experience of sitting across from this inspirational man as he eloquently described the most memorable moments of his life. His story is a tribute to the millions of soldiers from wars throughout time whose stories have gone untold. It is the story of an ordinary person forced into extraordinary circumstance, of innocence, love, and resilience. Most of all, it is a human story about a monumental generation of whom less and less remain each day, that can be appreciated by the generations who have since benefited from their sacrifice. Readers will grow to intimately know Tony through quotes from his extensive personal memoirs, excerpts from over 100 sentimental letters written to his loved ones while in service, and many remarkable photographs and artifacts from his life._________________________________________A Note From The Author: This book originated from a conversation at a wedding reception in May 2013. A familial exchange with an older gentleman at my table progressed into a captivating dialogue in which he eloquently shared episodes of growing up in the 1920s and being at war in the 1940s. His portrayals carried me through admiration, laughter, and heartache, and compelled me to volunteer to record them onto these pages for his family, friends, and future generations. Two months later, I traveled to his home in Long Island to begin our journey together. Over many visits, we came to know each other and symbolically bridge the gap of generations between us. The experience of hearing his story firsthand was the gift of a lifetime, and one that I am honored and humbled to now share with you._________________________________________Excerpts: Chapter One: Present Day (2014)Wandering up to the second floor of that two-story Kings Park home, there is an indistinct room to the left, clad with black-and-white photographs of a different kind than those in the living room: memorabilia, medals, and awards from a global conflict of which there are less and less living survivors each year; pictures of friends and soldiers smiling in their prime during training at Fort Bragg, many of whose lives ended prematurely and abruptly in a foreign land. The room reflects an experience that is so different from those of ordinary citizens, and all too similar to the experiences of veterans from wars throughout time; some who survived their wars, and some who did not; others who survived, but never really came home; and the stories of any of them that were never told.Chapter Five: First LandingIn his words, "My stomach flipped and my heart started to beat loud enough for my family back home to hear it. Chills ran up and down my spine and I prayed real hard. I thought to myself, 'How can the two hundred men of my company be expected to stop this onslaught when thousands are moving back away from the fighting' As we moved forward, we heard the men leaving yell, 'Good luck and God help you all ' They shouted as if a ferocious lion was racing towards us that could not be stopped."_________________________________________Audio: Listen to a 3-minute clip of audio interviews set to "Take The A Train" by copying this address into your browser: https: //soundcloud.com/steveattanasio/untouched-heroics
