By Brad Morgan
Hello Black Hills veterans, this Saturday (1-8-11) we’ll meet at 9 am to hear Kyle resident Mark St. Pierre talk about his nonfiction novel Of Uncommon Birth: Dakota Sons in Vietnam, about two soldiers one Indian, the other white who went to war.
Set in the Black Hills, Rapid City, and Vietnam, the book explores the “fictional” options open to a writer who wants to faithfully construct the reality of a wartime experience. This is a true story, says the author, who interviewed extensively on the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Not blindly following the familiar anti-colonial formula in dealing with his subject, St. Pierre explores the deeply rooted patriotism, Christianity, family bonding, spiritualism and proud military heritage within the Pine Ridge community and greater Black Hills.
Directions to the Western Dakota Technical Institute–and more information about St. Pierre can be found at www.battlestory.org.
