When Dennis

Chase came home from Vietnam, he didn't feel like he was a hero by any

means, but he felt good about serving his country. He shared how happy

he was to finally see the coast of California on his flight home from

Nam.

On the ground,

as he walked through the San Francisco airport terminal wearing a brand

new uniform a young girl yelled out "baby killer" and spat on

him. He had to jump into the men's room to get away from her. That was

just the start of the cold reception he received.

"It was

probably typical for most vets ­ I desperately wanted to talk about

my experiences," he said.

Chase soon

discovered that anytime he broached the subject of Vietnam, from trying

to show slides of some of the country to other experiences, friends and

family almost immediately found something else to do. He soon learned

not to bring the subject of Vietnam up.

Talking can

be a catharsis, and so can writing. Since talking wasn't an option for

Dennis, he "put my slides away and started writing."

He wrote in

pieces. A bit here, a bit there through the years. After writing for a

number of years, he started thinking about the possibility of doing something

with all the pages he had written. There were things he didn't want his

mother and father to read about his wartime experiences, so he decided

to bring in a bit of fiction and change the names of characters. Soon,

although he wasn't sure if he ever wanted to publish the work, he was

writing a book.

For 30 years

he has added and changed the story, still debating at times what he would

do with the work. Finally, with a lot of encouragement from many, he is

proudly sharing his first novel, "White Gold."

His main supporter

has been his wife, Nell. He lights up when he talks about her, saying,

"She's the best thing that ever happened to me; you can put that

in caps."

He continued,

"She has been very supportive. Together we have gone through more

computers and reams of paper ... she's done some editing, too. It's amazing

how one person can make such a difference in how you go through life."

When he retired

from U.S. Game & Wildlife Management after 26 years, he realized he

might have picked up a few bad writing habits ­ "They talk funny

and they write funny." He decided to take a class at Clayton State

to overcome his "handicap." Lee Bliss, who taught the class,

gave Chase the encouragement and practical assistance he needed to move

from writer to published writer.

The pair submitted

the book to numerous publishers, but didn't make it past the guardians

at the gate. Chase was competing with untold numbers who send in books

each day. He found that without the right connections, it was a daunting

task to reach the right people. He looked at vanity publishing or self-publishing,

but the cost was enormous.

He continued

to look around and found 1stbooks, a company which prints on demand rather

than requiring a large first run. His book has been well received ­

friends and acquaintances are giving the book high marks.

White Gold

draws on his experience in Vietnam and as multi-generation ginseng hunter.

The "white gold" in the book is ginseng, which now sells for

around $350 a pound. Jeff Anderson, the lead character, in the adventure

story which takes place in Vietnam. The book is a fascinating look into

the world of ginseng hunters and traders. For those who experienced Vietnam

or other wars, and those who are curious, it also paints a picture of

the area, the war and the effects on lives.

He says the

most common question he is asked is how he creates a conversation between

people of different cultures or the opposite sex. His answer? "I

never have a good answer ­ I just let it go free."

He is already

looking forward, considering a sequel to the book.

Dennis will

be on hand July 13 for a book signing at Barnes & Noble in Fayetteville

from noon to 2 p.m. For those who can't wait, books are available at Omega

Bookstore in Peachtree City or online at www.1stbooks.com . Book

are available in hardback, paperback or via download.

Chase will

also be speaking at the next Peachtree City Rotary Club meeting about

his book and experiences.

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