If I Don't Return:

If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartime Journal by Lieutenant General (Ret.) Mark Hertling (March 10, 2026, Ballast Books) offers a reflection of life's essentials and service based on a journal he wrote to his two young sons during Desert Storm as a courageous soldier and commander of the US Army. He is married to his soul mate, Sue. He was in the army for 38 years finally retiring and becoming a senior vice president for a major health care organization. He became a professor of strategic leadership and is an active public speaker. He is also a busy grandfather to seven grandchildren.

Every chapter includes the original entries from the 1991 journal. Some may be edited for privacy. Then each journal entry is followed with today's reflections. One of his journal entries talks about how he met his wife to his sons. However, today's reflection in the book shares decades of marriage and how it all works.

His definition of faith is lighting a candle in the dark and many thoughts about true friends. Because of his military expertise, he gives excellent information concerning how the military responded in tragic as well everyday situations. Mark traveled to a great deal of countries so shared the most memorable customs. Most of all, he shared his thoughts and experience with leadership. The best leaders leave their people saying, "We did it ourselves."

The book is a powerful tool celebrating life, love and conflict focusing on what is important.

Giving Back: In Memory of Pete Way

Fifty percent of the proceeds from this book will be donated to the National Ability Center (NAC) in Park City, Utah--an organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities discover their strength, independence, and purpose.

Founded in 1985 as an adaptive ski program for disabled veterans, the NAC has grown into one of the nation's leading centers for adaptive recreation. Today, it serves people of all ages and abilities, with service members, veterans, and their families making up nearly a third of all participants. Through sport, recreation, and education, the NAC empowers those it serves to build confidence, self-esteem, and lasting skills that restore not only mobility, but meaning.

These contributions are made in memory of U.S. Army veteran Pete Way, a friend who was grievously wounded in Afghanistan but found healing, hope, and renewed purpose through the programs of the NAC. Pete's courage and resilience reflect the very spirit this book seeks to honor--the will to endure, to grow even through adversity, and to live fully.

If you would like to join in supporting this remarkable organization and the veterans and families it serves, please visit https: //discovernac.org/support/