The Campus Voice

Issue date: 3/16/10 Section: Entertainment

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Ron Little, a local man that served in the military, wrote and published the book, Roadside Bombs and Democracy, sharing his experiences as an American police officer in Kosovo and Iraq. He is now furthering his education at Florida State College at Jacksonville.

Little has had a history with FSCJ; he and his wife, Brenda, met there in 1982 when it was Florida Junior College. Also after his first tour in Iraq he landed a job as an adjunct instructor for FCCJ; teaching armed security courses to sailors from the local bases.

Unfortunately a large explosion from an improvised explosive device (IED) injured the right arm, shoulder, back and sinus cavity.

"They say your life can change in an instant; well, mine changed in a brilliant, almost blinding flash of orange and red fire. The sound was almost deafening. I remember thinking, 'that was a big one.' Then I realized we had been hit"

After ten months of physical therapy and multiple surgeries doctors told him he could not return to police work, his passion for the majority of his working career. He commented, "So I decided I needed to go back and get my degree. I will be finished with my AS this semester and plan on continuing with the BAS program at FSCJ in Supervision and Management."

His book, Roadside Bombs and Democracy: An American Police Officer in Iraq, explains his military involvement in Kosovo from Nov. 2003 to Aug. 2004, Iraq from Aug. 2004 to Aug. 2005, and again from March to Dec. 2006.

While he was recovering, his family encouraged him to write down his experiences throughout his times overseas. He added, "They wanted to know more about what I did in Kosovo and Iraq. I didn't intend to write a book, [but] sic as my manuscript grew my family encouraged me to turn it into a book."

He did some research in looking for a publisher and came across Tate Publishing Company. He submitted his manuscript and within a few months they responded with interest in making it into a book.

When asked about looking back on his life he responded, "My experiences have made me more aware of the freedoms and prosperity we enjoy here in America." Going on to say that the people overseas, military or civilian, protecting the rights of the people and bringing them democracy. They deserve the utmost respect for their hardships and effort towards the greater good.

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