23 years ago, “Buddha” Ed Thomas died alone in an isolated cabin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. We had lost contact 31 years earlier when I was medevac’d out of an ambush during our Vietnam adventure.  Through a series of events, we had reconnected a few years before he died. I came to realize that if I didn’t tell our stories they would die with me. Thirteen years after Buddha’s death, MUDDY JUNGLE RIVERS was published. I am humbled by the positive comments from old riverboat sailors who patrolled the rivers of our youth.   Epilogue As the years passed, I thought of my fellow crewm ..read more

More than five decades ago I patrolled the rivers of Vietnam. Four decades later, I told my stories. I was recently invited to participate in an interview about Vietnam War literature that influenced me. The top five books t are listed, but there were also countless other narratives that I learned from, including the World War I British poets, Graves, Sassoon, and Owen. Poetry is truly the eye to our soul. I invite you to explore my interview at The best Vietnam war books that explore waste and loss (shepherd.com) The best Vietnam war books that explore waste and loss By Wendell Affield &nb ..read more

This past week I traveled 1,593 miles and 51 years back in time. Professor Tom Murphy, Indiana University, South Bend, initiated my trip when he asked if I would like to speak to students in his history classes that use Muddy Jungle Rivers—my visit included an evening public reading. I’m often surprised at the wide-ranging discussions during reading conversations—from the antiwar protestors to troops in the field to the political scene. One young lady, questioning the morality of the Vietnam War, attempted to equate perceived police brutality to troop behavior in Vietnam—there really is not a ..read more

Almost twenty years ago when I retired I knew I had stories to tell. I began studying the writing craft at Bemidji State University. Muddy Jungle Rivers, A Vietnam War Memoir, was published in 2012. Since then I have spoken at dozens of book signings and other events. The most humbling experience is to listen to the stories and read the messages veterans and veteran’s families share with me. This next Tuesday evening I am scheduled to speak at the Annual Volunteer Dinner for Sanford Bemidji Home Care and Hospice about issues older veterans face as they approach End of Life. I will put to use l ..read more

I am deeply honored that New York Times Bestselling Author, Laura Schroff, included a story about my friend, Angie, and her family, and my wife, Patti, and me. It truly is a humbling experience to be one of thirty stories selected out of the thousands Laura must have read. I encourage you to take a look at Angels on Earth–not for our story, but to explore the profound lessons Laura shares–lessons of how we can help others. Laura, thank you for the signed copies of Angels on Earth that you sent to Angie and me. I think there is a universal truth that you explore in your earlier book, An Invisib ..read more

In April 2015, Jim Northrup and I were featured speakers at an evening program titled, “Making Meaning of Vietnam.” I will always cherish the memory of Jim, sitting a few feet from me, nodding in agreement and encouragement as I spoke. Jim followed me. My sister videoed Jim’s presentation. As I sat watching the video this afternoon, listening to him speak and read his poetry, I reflected on how the war affected combat veterans. About two weeks ago I was invited to attend an Ojibwe Bear Claw Ceremony. During the ceremony our host presented me with a beautiful eagle feather. “Every warrior shoul ..read more

I will be visiting Indiana University, South Bend, on April 18, 2017. During the day, I will discuss my Vietnam memoir, Muddy Jungle Rivers with two history classes who are using the book. There will be an evening event, open to the public, on campus, at Franklin D. Schurz Library. A little extra event I’m excited about–two old shipmates from my first Vietnam deployment will be there–the first time we’ve seen each other in more than fifty years. A few days ago, Rhonda Culbertson, from the Library interviewed me. A Conversation with Wendell Affield, Author of Muddy Jungle Rivers Posted on March ..read more

About six months after my friend, Deland, died in 1999, his widow and her family came to our farm, homeless and hungry. Angie is a proud lady and offered to repay our help. I told her that anything we shared with her was a gift. So began a journey that continues today. Deland and I first met in a therapy group. We had been diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a result of combat in Vietnam. Too often, PTSD sufferers go through life battling depression, reliving traumas, and feeling they are victims. There is another way for some. Posttraumatic growth is a relatively new concept ..read more