Letters From Heaven's Gateway 7
Stephen and Hoa30 total reviews
Comment from Mary Kay Bonfante
This is such a deeply touching story, and you've told it so well! It's such an amazing love story, in an unlikely place, across linguistic and cultural barriers, as if all that made no difference at all. Your stepbrother sounds like he was quite a guy -- a real soldier, a true American and someone who loved very deeply.
I guess the cancer caught up with him, even after it took his larynx? Hoa clearly was quite a woman as well, as she didn't allow such his profound disability to interfere with her love for Steve. It seems she would become a mother, and raise her younger brothers in America. I hope that Steve lived long enough to see his child born. What a very sad, but beautiful story!
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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This is such a deeply touching story, and you've told it so well! It's such an amazing love story, in an unlikely place, across linguistic and cultural barriers, as if all that made no difference at all. Your stepbrother sounds like he was quite a guy -- a real soldier, a true American and someone who loved very deeply.
I guess the cancer caught up with him, even after it took his larynx? Hoa clearly was quite a woman as well, as she didn't allow such his profound disability to interfere with her love for Steve. It seems she would become a mother, and raise her younger brothers in America. I hope that Steve lived long enough to see his child born. What a very sad, but beautiful story!
Comment Written 08-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Thank you so much for the lovely review and generous stars to go with your generous spirit. I am truly honored. I knew you would love this, being the true patriot that you are. Thanks you for your many kindnesses. Sending you my best today as always,
Sal xoxoxoxo
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You're so very welcome, Sal. Sending love your way! God bless you.
- Mary Kay xoxo
Comment from WalkerMan
Clearly, your stepbrother was a model soldier who served our nation well, yet sadly afflicted with throat cancer from Agent Orange. Fortunately, he received life-extending treatment that too many other veterans did not, as our government refused to acknowledge liability until recently. In Steve's case, it seems God used that to remove him from the war after finding the love he had thought was not his destiny, thereby saving her and her brothers too.
You told the story well, with sufficient detail where it mattered, making it easy for a reader to imagine each scene as it occurred.
All events, including how Steve fell in love with Hoa, are plausible.
Overall, it is a heartwarming story of love's triumph over war for Steve, Hoa, and her three brothers.
The fact that Chuck Norris honored Steve's grave site is heartwarming too. May your stepbrother rest in the peace he earned.
Superb, and you chose the illustration and music videos well.
Your family ought to be proud of this tribute to such a fine man. Thank you for bringing to us here at FanStory.
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Clearly, your stepbrother was a model soldier who served our nation well, yet sadly afflicted with throat cancer from Agent Orange. Fortunately, he received life-extending treatment that too many other veterans did not, as our government refused to acknowledge liability until recently. In Steve's case, it seems God used that to remove him from the war after finding the love he had thought was not his destiny, thereby saving her and her brothers too.
You told the story well, with sufficient detail where it mattered, making it easy for a reader to imagine each scene as it occurred.
All events, including how Steve fell in love with Hoa, are plausible.
Overall, it is a heartwarming story of love's triumph over war for Steve, Hoa, and her three brothers.
The fact that Chuck Norris honored Steve's grave site is heartwarming too. May your stepbrother rest in the peace he earned.
Superb, and you chose the illustration and music videos well.
Your family ought to be proud of this tribute to such a fine man. Thank you for bringing to us here at FanStory.
Comment Written 08-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Thank you so much for the honoring review. As always, your reviews bless me so much, Mike. There was more to this story that I was not at liberty to share. Unfortunately, there is no one to appreciate this story, except for my immediate family and FanStory friends. They are all deceased. Hoa returned to Asia looking for missing family members, and she may be alive. I hope so.
My mom and Steve's father were divorced shortly after the last scene and all the family fragmented. I married Jackson shortly thereafter and we moved to New York. Steve and Hoa spent time between Washington and Thailand after Steve's cancer remission. We lost contact at this point. I actually caught up with his death at a family funeral, and with the help of Find A Grave, and Ancestry.com, I found him. It helped that I knew he lived in Washington. I wrote this for all those who had given and lost so much. And I think I wrote this for myself, as most people don't know these things about me and this important piece of war history. It was glad to see my brother come out with a love trophy. He was an amazing person and always the kindest to me personally. Again, thank you so much and for the generous stars.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sal :))
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You are most welcome, Sal. Yes, I realize writing this story was somewhat cathartic for you. It is a beautiful story by all measures. I hope Hoa found her brother -- the one who sent Steve to her.
It seems that both you and Steve overcame the adversity in your lives and were rewarded with love to match the loving hearts you already had. I am glad you were able to find his grave site and not have to wonder. Both in your life and your writing, you prove beyond doubt the power of love.
From reading your other reviews, it is evident that your readers grow more and more loyal, post by post. You earned that. -- Mike
Comment from Janetsue
This is such a beautiful story of love and devotion. I am from a military family and I understand how blessed this couple was to have found each other during such a difficult time as in war. In this case, the war brought them together and their two hearts were joined as one. I really enjoyed reading this very well written short story based on truth. Best wishes always, Sally. :-)
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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This is such a beautiful story of love and devotion. I am from a military family and I understand how blessed this couple was to have found each other during such a difficult time as in war. In this case, the war brought them together and their two hearts were joined as one. I really enjoyed reading this very well written short story based on truth. Best wishes always, Sally. :-)
Comment Written 07-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review and kind comments, dear Janet. I'm so pleased you enjoyed it and thought it six star worthy. I'm blessed that I was able to write such a meaningful story that touched so many.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally xoxo
Comment from thaities, Rebecca V.
What a lovely love story! Your writing skill is a great God given talent that you are making the most of. Well done!
I think this may be a typo:
"Steve, along with Lieutenant John Rayford, lead (led) the group in hand-to-hand combat the first day."
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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What a lovely love story! Your writing skill is a great God given talent that you are making the most of. Well done!
I think this may be a typo:
"Steve, along with Lieutenant John Rayford, lead (led) the group in hand-to-hand combat the first day."
Comment Written 07-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Ah, thank you, sweet Rebecca. I am deeply honored by this wonderful review. Thank you for catching my typo as well. (My voice-over text seems to get those words mixed up a lot.) I'm so glad you enjoyed this and appreciate you stopping by.
Sending my best today as always,
Sally xoxoxo
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Keep your brain sharp!
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
Well, Sally, this is a tear-jerker. I'm thrilled Steve found true love though short lived. You did a great job telling this story. There are many details and vivid imagery. Yes, God worked a miracle for Steve and Hoa and her brothers. Thanks for sharing a beautiful love story.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Well, Sally, this is a tear-jerker. I'm thrilled Steve found true love though short lived. You did a great job telling this story. There are many details and vivid imagery. Yes, God worked a miracle for Steve and Hoa and her brothers. Thanks for sharing a beautiful love story.
Respectfully, Jan
Comment Written 07-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Thank you so much for the wonderful review and kind comments, dear Jan. I always appreciate what a patriot has to say about this. Sending you my best today as always, Sally xoxo
Comment from Ben Colder
This is very lengthy but interesting. Truly, I know about Orange and its terrible results. I lost two nephews because of it, both Green B.
Love shows up in the strangest places.
Good write Sal.
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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This is very lengthy but interesting. Truly, I know about Orange and its terrible results. I lost two nephews because of it, both Green B.
Love shows up in the strangest places.
Good write Sal.
Comment Written 07-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Thank you so much, dear Ben. Thank you too for your service, too, and just for being a friend and fellow history writer. I hoped you would like this. I'm so glad that you thought it six worthy.
I am truly honored.
Sending my best today as always,
Sally :)
Comment from fm wright
Such a wonderful story. It has a real beauty to it that transcends time and circumstances. Though true, in some ways, it reads like a fairy tale. It certainly is beautifully told by you, as one can just picture the circumstances.
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Such a wonderful story. It has a real beauty to it that transcends time and circumstances. Though true, in some ways, it reads like a fairy tale. It certainly is beautifully told by you, as one can just picture the circumstances.
Comment Written 07-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Faye dear, thank you so much. It really is a story of our times. I think I needed to share this beautiful love story because we often times here of all the atrocities that happened during this war and think no good ever came out of it. Assuredly, good came out of this as I heard story after story of the lives that my brother had saved. I shutter to think how many would have died if not for him. He was a good man and I'm so glad he found someone that was good to him. Thanks so much for your kind review, six star rating and encouraging words. It means the world to me.( I know I say that a lot, but it's true.)
Sending my best today as always,
Love, Sal xoxoxo!!
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I never get tired of reading that my reviews mean the world to you. I truly love to read and comment on your writing.
As always,
xoxoxo,
Faye
Comment from Ulla
Hi Sally, such a beautiful story, yet so bittersweet, as well. It was lovely although it was bound too have a sad ending. I loved it. It's very well written. All the best, Ulla:)))
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Hi Sally, such a beautiful story, yet so bittersweet, as well. It was lovely although it was bound too have a sad ending. I loved it. It's very well written. All the best, Ulla:)))
Comment Written 07-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Thank you very much for the lovely review and kind comments, dear Ulla. I'm so glad you could appreciate this. Sending you my best today as always, Sally xoxo
Comment from Robert Zimmerman
Hi Sal. It is not only a compelling story, it is a well written narrative. The details and events were very clear and made the story easy to read and understand. It is very touching and meaningful.
My favorite line is: "Hoa said it was because she had regained her bed and a good night's sleep." That made me laugh even with the anticipation of a sad ending.
Z Pal :~))
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Hi Sal. It is not only a compelling story, it is a well written narrative. The details and events were very clear and made the story easy to read and understand. It is very touching and meaningful.
My favorite line is: "Hoa said it was because she had regained her bed and a good night's sleep." That made me laugh even with the anticipation of a sad ending.
Z Pal :~))
Comment Written 07-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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I usually add comic relief to cut the tension. I'm so pleased that you enjoyed this and that it well written. I am deeply honored by the six star rating and kind comments. Thank you again for your service and for taking the time to read this, dear Z.
Sending you my best today as always,
Sally :))
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You're welcome
Comment from royowen
What a wonderful story, there was a few stories Viet vets marrying Vietnamese girls, in fact Australia welcomed a lot of Vietnamese refugees into Australia, in fact a lot of them took over the market gardens a short distance, from the previous Italian settlers, beautifully written Sally, lovely story, blessings Roy
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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What a wonderful story, there was a few stories Viet vets marrying Vietnamese girls, in fact Australia welcomed a lot of Vietnamese refugees into Australia, in fact a lot of them took over the market gardens a short distance, from the previous Italian settlers, beautifully written Sally, lovely story, blessings Roy
Comment Written 07-Jun-2020
reply by the author on 08-Jun-2020
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Thank you so much for the excellent review and personal comments, dear Roy. Your kind reviews are always so appreciated and needed. Sending you my best today as always, Sally xo
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Well done