SAND HILL

About the Book

Were you drafted during the Vietnam War? Did you have a father, or a son perhaps, who was called to duty? A brother, a lover, a relative, a best friend? You and millions of others shared the emotions, the tears, and the sorrow of those tumultuous, troubled, times. SAND HILL is a story whose emphasis is not specifically focused on Vietnam. Though many books have been, and will continue to be written about those who endured first-hand the horrors of that tragic conflict not all draftees witnessed actual combat. Not all draftees went to Vietnam. All draftees did however, share one common experience; eight weeks of basic training. Once drafted, no exemptions allowed. Your ethnic, economic, physical, marital, academic, or religious status meant nothing. It was the purest of melting pots. Unlike one who voluntarily joins the Army, a draftee must undergo the rigors of basic training with no guarantee of future vocational placement. A draftee’s destiny beyond basic training was determined on the basis of need. Your qualification as an engineer, a scientist, or a teacher did not matter if there was an infantry position to be filled. This issue weighed heavily in the minds of those who were drafted. It was during this period that the subject of, then the controversy of, and ultimately the protest of the draft evolved. SAND HILL is about those who were not controversial; those who did not protest. Amid the growing dissent of an unpopular war, they were ordered to put their personal lives on a two-year hold, and did so. Two years if you were lucky. Our country owes a debt of gratitude to those silent patriots who sacrificed their time and their lives as so many others have done throughout America’s history.

About the Author

Born in Leominster, Massachusetts, Celli at age 14, moved with his family to St. Petersburg, Florida. Drafted in late 1965, he spent his two-year Army commitment in Georgia at Ft. Benning. Following his stint in the military, Celli spent the next 35 years in the wine and spirits industry. He is now semi-retired, working part-time as a wine consultant for Pasadena Liquors and Fine Wines. He lives with his wife Lisabeth near the beach in St. Petersburg. He has a son Anthony (wife Angie) in Texas, and a daughter Gina (husband Mike) in Colorado. Celli enjoys all sports, is active in golf and tennis, and lists reading and wines as hobbies.