HOLMDEL, NJ - On Saturday, February 8, at 1:00 p.m., the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation will host a lecture by Vietnam veteran author Douglas Neralich about his book Dear Donna, It’s Only 45 Hours from Bien Hoa: Stories from the Vietnam War at the Vietnam Era Educational Center in Holmdel.
The title of Neralich’s book is also the title of one in a collection of more than two dozen short based on actual combat and personal experiences.  The “Dear Donna” story, as described by the author, is “sort of a combination coming home/love story.”  The author will be accompanied on February 8, just in time for Valentine’s Day, by his wife, Donna – his Valentine to whom he wrote during his tour of duty in the Vietnam War.  Donna Neralich is also the illustrator of the book. 


Doug “Doc” Neralich of Wyckoff, N.J., is a decorated Vietnam veteran and a dedicated teacher.  As his nickname suggests, he was a medic during the war, and in 1970, he served a tour of duty with the 36th Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Vinh Long in the Mekong Delta of South Vietnam. Dear Donna, It’s Only 45 Hours from Bien Hoa is a personal account of that year.  The author explores topics as diverse as celebrating Christmas in a combat zone, dealing with death, coming home, visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, and coping with post traumatic stress syndrome.  Following his military service, Neralich returned to his teaching career and teaches today at Memorial High School in West New York, N.J.


Lecture attendees are asked to RSVP to (732) 335-0033.  A donation of $5 per person is suggested.  The Vietnam Era Educational Center is located adjacent to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial off the Garden State Parkway at exit 116. The Memorial and Educational Center are maintained through a partnership between New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation and the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.  The Educational Center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Regular admission is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel.  Regular adult admission is $4; student and senior citizen admission is $2; and children under 10 are admitted free.