500 Years of Living follows six fascinating men, now in their 70's (see bios) as they present vignettes from memorable moments in their lives. Their memories emanate from WriteLife, a memoir writing course in Salve Regina University's Circle of Scholars program for older adults. Memoir topics were prompted by questions like: How did you learn about hard work? What fight/argument did you win? At a crossroads, what did you lose in your choice? Writers responded to these challenges by creating seven, 3-5 page essays in eight weeks. Their stories appear in three sections: "The Early Years", "The Family Years", and "The Work Years." Come along on a boyhood bike trip to the cool waters of a swimming area - like the ones we can all recall as a kid. The lens shifts to Aleppo as we learn lessons from a stern father for whom a rule is a law. Meet "Little Lewis" soon to be the best four-legged friend of the policeman who saves him. Join U.S. Navy Lieutenant Heins as he oversees the steady roll of a Vietnamese gunboat off the coast of Phu Quoc island. The settings are familiar or extraordinary with scenes that evoke memories of home or take us to distant parts like Syria, Jordan, Iwo Jima, Vietnam and aboard ships. Essays offer remarkably frank insights by men who assess their lives, then tell their stories well.
About the Author: Bob Bledsoe is a United States Navy and Viet Nam veteran who holds a BS degree in Marine Engineering. Bob developed an interest in writing while attending Circle of Scholar courses at the Salve Regina University. John Broughan was raised in western Massachusetts, and took his first airplane flight (out of thousands) to Washington, DC, to attend Georgetown University. Later he started his own travel company and a software development company specializing in the cruise industry. With retirement came a move to Newport, RI where he can be found planning his future trips and playing with his six visiting grandchildren. Jack Galvin has been a writer and teacher of writing for forty years. With Mark Pfetzer he wrote Within Reach: My Everest Story which was honored as an outstanding book for young adults. For many years he was head of the English Department at Rogers High school where he developed and taught composition courses. Raymond Heins was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee, Ray graduated from the Naval Academy in 1963. After twenty years of naval service, he retired in Newport, Rhode Island, then spent another twenty- five years working first in the computer industry, then in real estate. Dick Hunt was born in White Plains New York, graduated from Lehigh University and went to work for Westinghouse Electric in Boston, initially in engineering sales functions. George Kassis was born and raised in Syria before moving to Lebanon to attend The American University of Beirut, and embarking on a career with The United Nations. Captain Gordon Stewart retired from the United States Navy after 30 years of active duty. During his service he flew over 130 combat missions in the A-7E Corsair II aircraft. After commanding an A-7 squadron aboard the USS America, he came to Newport for the first time as a student at the Naval War College. After graduating with distinction, he continued at the Naval War College as a member of the faculty teaching courses in Planning and Decision-Making.