America Leads The Way: A Boomer's Perspective on Where We Were and How We Get It Back - Hardcover

Van Pelt, Gary A.: - As a current resident of Northern New England I must say life's journey has certainly been an amazing ride.Born in Pasadena, California in 1947, I grew up in the sprawling suburbs of the San Gabriel Valley. Educated at Pasadena City College with a degree in Nuclear Technology, a year of Liberal Arts at University of Long Beach and two years of Behavioral Science at Cal-Poly, Pomona.Sunny California proved to be a little peopley for me so shortly after my first marriage we moved to a mountain valley in Washington state. Absolute paradise. Developed my lifelong occupation (organizing work & supervising those who do it), raised three terrific kids, divorced, traveled a bit, landed in New England, married again and became part of a wonderful east coast family.It's all there, west to east, ups and downs, mountains and valleys, good times and tough times, I have lived the American Dream. Fiercely independent, proud to be an American, I have learned that life is a road trip, with no particular place to go. So, enjoy the ride.Lee, April M.: - "Life has led me to seek the peace and freedom of living in North Idaho where the American flags fly high and the spirit of independence flies even higher.Born in tiny White Salmon, WA and raised in even tinier Trout Lake, Washington, I grew up among people who only knew hard work and self-sufficiency - but also knew and celebrated the spirit of community and the value of freedom. Oddly enough, I chose an education at one of the most liberal of liberal arts schools - earning a Bachelor's degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, paying my own way for an education that expanded my world view and solidified my own values grounded in conservative principles. Later, my Dad's journey to the east coast sparked my interest in Boston and I paid my own way again to further my education with a master's in criminal justice degree from Boston University.I spent the first 23 years of my life making my way alongside my husband in beautiful Hood River, Oregon - building two businesses from scratch, building a home and getting paid to travel the country for work. The bulk of my career has been spent working with local law enforcement in one capacity or another. I've been blessed to see a lot of America up close and personal - the big cities, the small towns, the farmland and the mountains and have had the honor to work with those who sacrifice for her everyday - our police officers and first responders, our military, our small business owners. I am my father's daughter - I've learned life is best when it's simple. A humble home. A hand to hold. Maintaining your health. And fighting for your freedom - every day."