Author Kicks Off Book and Memorabilia Tour at Bragg's Clothing and Sales This Week

Author and publisher Ed Gallagher wanted to kick off his tour at Fort Bragg and is providing a service to help families memorialize their veteran while preserving their veteran's memories of service and sacrifice to our country. 

One Who Served, a memorial tribute coffee table type book, is a practical gift that functions as both a memory book and a resource tool for family members who have lost a loved one.

The book was introduced 10 months ago and is also sold outside the Army to other organizations like the VA Hospitals and nursing homes, VFW's and American Legions outside the military exchanges. 

"This book helps the families through the grieving process," said Gallagher. "After 28 years in the military, I saw a real need for something like this."

With a cause near and dear to the author's heart, Gallagher is also a veteran and has a son that serves as a rescue pilot who has deployed twice.

The book has tools for families to include everything they might need immediately or during that first year after a death. Resources on where to get their veteran's DD215, a presidential certificate or a headstone. 

The book can be given as a gift alone, can be placed in an embroidered pouch or in the sturdy wooden keepsake chest where there is room inside for momentos underneath the book.

One Who Served is being sold at Fort Bragg's Clothing and Sales location on Thursday, May 17, and Friday, May 18 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and next week as well. The book will also be available at other Post Exchange stores across the country. 

Gallagher said the book is already being used by the military to present to some families that have experienced a recent death. 

Working for Goodwill Publishers, Gallagher's family business, they have published books since 1938 that were either Judeo Christian or inspirational in nature. Other genres include children's books, books for newlyweds, books for bereaved families and other topics. 

"It's my personal agenda," said Gallagher. "We are a military family."