The Gulf War Anthology of Poetry

About the Book

This anthology contains twenty-one poems and illustrations that describes the feelings of the Poet before, during, and after the "Gulf War." The last poem in this book entitled, "´Tis My Eyes To See," is ironically the first poem written. This poem addresses the mistreatment of veterans. This poem was read by the Poet at the first "Presidential Gulf War Illnesses Advisory Committee" which was held in Charlotte, North Carolina in September of 1995. Simmons also sung the "Battle Hymn of the Republic" at this event. Simmons has created several Web Pages that are related to this book and the continued "Gulf War" saga : Click Here for Gulf War Books Click Here For Anthrax Shots Page. These web pages have a wealth of information surrounding the Gulf War including the poem, "The Anthrax Shots." There are illustrations from the book, and also has the story by the University of South Carolina´s Garnet and Black magazine coverage of the 10th Anniversary Memorial Candlelight Vigil of the "Gulf War." The event was held at the Capitol steps on February 28, 2001. Simmons was the State Coordinator for this event. The Poet hopes that his work will be therapeutic for all Veterans who have been called to war to protect the interest of this Great Country and its´ Allies. The Poet also hopes that the Truth about the "Gulf War Illnesses" will be told so that lives can be saved...

About the Author

About the Author Born in Conway, South Carolina, William J. Simmons, Sr. attended college at the University of South Carolina – Coastal Carolina and received his bachelor of science degree in biology at the University of South Carolina – Columbia. While at college, he became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Carolina Cares and other organizations. Simmons was actively involved off-campus with the James R. Clark Sickle-Cell Anemia Foundation, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, and the Salvation Army. He has put that degree to good use throughout his career and was employed by the following: the Department of Health andEnvironmental Control as an Environmental Technician; Westinghouse – the Savannah River Site as a Health Physicists, Associate Scientist, etc… Currently, the Author is an Educator in the South Carolina Educational system, voting member of the National Gulf War Resource Center, and the founder of Gulf War Vets for Truth & Justice. Not only is he an author, but he is also an Inventor and Entrepreneur. During his early years, he gave his grandmother Virginia and idea to increase production on the assembly lines at General Motors in Trenton, NJ. In his spare time, he enjoys spending fatherly bond with his son (B.J.), reading investment articles and magazines, traveling, civic involvement, creating web sites. The Poet was prompted to write these accounts to assist other Gulf War Vets deal with the traumas of the event. The author hopes that the book will further lift the awareness of this tragedy, and that our government will uphold its’ responsibility to all those who were called to Serve this Great Country.