Beyond Recognition - Softcover

New England produced a favorite son, especially in the eyes of those living throughout the Blackstone Valley where we both were raised. His name was Larry Heron, and his parents, like most of the industrious immigrants arriving in America from foreign shores, worked in local factories and led better lives than previously known. Many of their children were the veterans who returned from World War II to build a solid foundation later generations benefited from and will never forget. We remember them as the "Greatest Generation," a "Band of Brothers" who fought the greatest war and forged the greatest nation.

It was my good fortune to interview Larry's wife, Azelia Heron (Noferi), during the last days of her life, with the honor of documenting the story of their lives. Never before told information about chemical warfare, death camps, and incredible tales originated from soldiers who landed on French soil in the midst of the most monumental battle ever waged in the history of the world. They landed on the shores of Normandy on June 6, 1944, and for the next year fought their way through Germany until the war's merciful end.

During extensive research, I gained access to daily journals and photos of death camp victims taken by foot soldiers with personal cameras, data and photos that appear in Beyond Recognition. Also included are facts taken from rare U.S. Army medical books, personal letters Fr. Edward T. Connors sent to his Bishop to describe his activity on the battlefield, details of operations supplied directly by Dr. Bradford Cannon, and much more never-before publically revealed content.

Major history-making achievements of pioneering Doctors Joseph E. Murray and Bradford Cannon, the dedication of Fr. Edward Connors, and the crisscrossing of their paths throughout Heron's inconceivable journey, adds to the list of abundant surprises waiting inside this book.

Fifty photographs were added to the popular World War II novel, CAMEL RED, in response to popular demand, and the new version renamed BEYOND RECOGNITION.

                                                  PRAISE FOR BEYOND RECOGNITION

"Captivating...couldn't put it down...awesome story
well-told...a great love story...a paean to a genuine WWII hero."
                                                                                                      ~Amazon Customer Reviews
"Moving account of ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives...never bitter...never complained...loved his country deeply."
                                                                                                             ~Metrowest Daily News

"Against all odds this battlefield hero managed not only to survive but to go on to lead an exemplary life."                                                                                         ~Dr. Joseph Murray
                                                                          1990 Recipient of the Nobel Prize in Medicine


"Members of his battalion drew straws to see who would put him out of his misery...without her beside him, recovery wouldn't be worth the pain."
                                                                                                                ~Worcester Telegram


"Highly inspirational...love blossomed from childhood that survived the harshest of challenges."
                                                                                                           ~ The Nashua Telegraph