CAMP PENDLETON’S HEROES AFTER 9/11 FEATURED IN BOOK BY MARINE
Veteran to discuss work Saturday at Oceanside library
Marine Corps veteran Amy Forsythe, who was stationed at Camp Pendleton for nearly two decades, has published a book, titled “Heroes Live Here: A Tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines Since 9/11.”
The 206-page historical work features a description of more than a dozen monuments and markers at Camp Pendleton that honor the sacrifices of Marines over the past two decades, who served in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
This book includes reflections on the tributes as it guides readers through the base in search of of the monuments. A detailed map of the monuments’ locations is included along with 150 color photographs of the memorials.
Forsythe, who was first stationed at Camp Pendleton in 1995 as an enlisted Marine combat correspondent and photographer, wanted to tell the story of her comrades and honor the sacrifices of the heroes who were killed in combat.
“This book has been 20
years in the making and it highlights just how much the Camp Pendleton community has rallied around our fallen Marines, sailors and their families. The memorials on base are a testament to the true spirit of Semper Fidelis, which is Latin for the Marine Corps’ motto ‘Always Faithful,’” Forsythe said.
Highlights in the book include the heroic actions of Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan, including reflections from a Navy Cross recipient and the former commanding officer of the Wounded Warrior Center.
There is also a chapter about the history of Camp Pendleton and several watercolor artwork pieces by combat artist retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Alex Durr from his combat deployments.
“Amy has shined a light on what I believe to be an underserved segment of these wars; and that is the bases, stations, and communities that trained, supported, deployed, and welcomed them back home,” said retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson in the forward to Forsythe’s book.
Since 2010, Forsythe, an award-winning multimedia journalist, has served in the U.S. Navy Reserve as a public affairs officer. She serves on the Board of Trustees for Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial in La Jolla.
Her photographs and articles have been featured on Fox News, CNN, MSNBC and ABC News, and in Newsweek magazine and Soldier of Fortune magazine, among other news outlets.
Her career included five combat deployments, including two deployments to Iraq and three to Afghanistan, along with several other overseas assignments.
After her deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq,
Forsythe curated an exhibit of her photography to “put a human face on war.” The exhibit will be displayed in the Oceanside Civic Center Library through mid-June to inspire the community to reflect on the 20 years in which many of Oceanside military members have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.
Forsythe used a mix of acrylic and canvas materials for the exhibit that will be on display in hopes that people who do not have access to visit the base in person will get a sense of the pride and care taken to remember troops who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Forsythe is set to discuss her book at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Oceanside Civic Center Library Community Rooms, 330 N. Coast Highway. The free program is part of the Oceanside Public Library’s Veterans Connect at the Library initiative and is funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Libraries and Veterans National Forum.
“I’ve spent my career sharing with America the courage it takes to serve in the military and this book and photo exhibit is a culmination of a career spent documenting military operations,” Forsythe said.
A portion of the proceeds from Forsythe’s book will go to the Semper Fi and America’s Fund. The Semper Fi fund was established nearly 20 years ago at Camp Pendleton.
The book is $45 at heroeslivehere.com. Paperback and e-book versions also are available.