“Connections to Home: Letters in a Time of War / Book I – 1962” marks the beginning of David L. Wagner’s journey during the Vietnam War, as told through a heartfelt collection of letters exchanged between him and his loved ones. The story begins just before David, at 18 years old, enlists in the United States Marine Corps in June 1962. His early letters capture the excitement, uncertainty, and transformation of a young man stepping away from his rural North Dakota home into the disciplined world of military life.

This volume brings together not only David’s personal reflections but also the voices of family and friends who reached out with support and affection. Each letter becomes a window into daily life, emotional bonds, and the shifting cultural landscape of early 1960s America. Together, they form a vivid mosaic of connection during a time of dramatic change.

Historical context and interactive features enhance the reading experience, including QR codes linking to external resources, references to key events of the time, and faithful reproductions of original handwritten letters, stamps, envelopes, and photographs. These immersive elements invite readers to engage with both the personal and historical dimensions of the story.

This is the first in a five-book series spanning the years 1962 through 1966, chronicling nearly 1,000 letters written during a defining era in American and family history. Connections to Home is a tribute to enduring relationships, resilience, and the everyday heroism of a generation.