Columnist donating book proceeds to support veterans

TROY, N.Y. >> When local columnist, former professor and firsttime author John Ostwald decided he wanted to write a book, he chose to write about a cause very close to his heart: veterans. Ostwald spent 10 years writing “War, Sacrifice and Coming Home,” which was released in February, and is donating all proceeds from the book to Soldier’s Heart, a Troy-based veterans support organization. The book is a compilation of short stories, as well as columns Ostwald has written in his 14 years with The Record and The Saratogian. Each story represents different and valuable moments, told from the perspective of combat veterans, friends and family members of veterans, and other supportive civilians. Among them is the recounting of a chaplain’s death in battle, as well as the sentencing of a Marine. The book also delves into moral dilemmas soldiers face when making wartime decisions, a topic Ostwald also touches upon in his column.

“The book has some of the usual information about war conflict and veterans coming home, but it has some unique types of columns, as well,” said Ostwald.

With the addition of short stories written by colleagues, he used the project to combine his personal experiences as a veteran with his desire to help others.

“I was in the armed forces during the Vietnam era,” said Ostwald, who enlisted in the Navy as a 19-year-old and served for three years. “My commitment to working with vets stimulated my interest in putting the book to- gether.”

Ostwald has served as a workshop leader, speaking on topics such as post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries in veterans. He was an active participant in veteran outreach programs throughout his 25-year career as a psychology professor at Hudson Valley Community College. He credited his knowledge of psychology to his interest in examining the psychological and emotional aspects of veterans’ lives.

Soldier’s Heart, a national nonprofit with which Ostwald has worked for a decade, caters to the needs of soldiers who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. The organization, founded by psychotherapist Ed Tick and Kate Dahlstedt, a licensed mental health counselor, offers training and other services to help vet- erans — and their families — after returning home from war. The group also works with program leaders, Ostwald among them, to offer a variety of materials about veteran experiences, speeches and workshops, as well as techniques to heal the emotional wounds of war.

“Nonprofits can always use the extra funding,” said Ostwald. “It’s not always easy for them to have a variety of funding for all the good things they do.”

The book is available on Amazon.com for $15. Ostwald will hold an author’s talk at noon Thursday, May 18, at the William K. Sanford Town Library in Loudonville, where copies may also be purchased. Local readers interested in purchasing a copy of the book can also email Ostwald directly at jrostwald33@gmail.com.