The R.O.N Bar in I Walked with Heroes

The book I Walked with Heroes, written by Jerry A. Guzzetta is an intriguing tale about the life of soldiers the infamous Vietnam War. Being a veteran himself, the author tries to present his perspective on the conflict that differs the general narrative told by media, which often glorifies the war instead of portraying the real, horrific side of it. The book portrays the perfect picture on the conflict, and its happenings in details. 

This particular set piece in the book is based on the famous R.O.N Bar, which was connected to the two-men room of the author. The bar is used as a gathering, and a refugee place for the soldiers, and described to be rough and ragged. This bar carries great significance in the context of the story, and serves as the unofficial headquarter of brotherhood for them. The soldiers in the Vietnam War would often get together for a drink, have fun, and release their stress at the bar.

The bar had importance for the author specifically as well, because this was the exact place where his friendship with “Fat Albert” sky-rocketed, since both the men were of the Italian descent and had many things in common culturally despite being physically apart. The bar isn’t just physical location in the story, but a place which symbolizes the sense of unity, and hope for the military personnel fighting for their country. The sense of unity, brotherhood and the only essence of a home’s feeling was at the peak at the Bar, where the soldier’s found peace and reconciliation post a grueling day at the war zone. The author had fond memories of the place, and covered all important stories, and incidents that took place at the bar. The author meticulously paints this bar’s picture, talking about its raw, unfinished structure which had enough space to host the soldiers. The physical structure, however, as described in the book doesn’t make it look like a bar, but with gatherings and drinks going on, the place was transformed into one. 

The story I Walked with Heroes by Jerry A. Guzzetta isn’t just about a complicated conflict they were tangled in, it is also about the emotions the soldiers attached to the places, and the people they met there, and fought alongside. The story is a completely different, and a unique depiction of a conflict that is often portrayed otherwise. The book is available for readers from all across the globe on Amazon!