My writing partner, Joyce Faulkner, and I recently completed a book about a group of men we’ve grown to love and respect, the Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors.

 

We help people tell their stories – from family histories to military experiences.  We offer ghostwriting, editing and all book preparation services.

 

I’m currently finishing a book about an all-girl band of the 1940s and their experiences as a USO Camp Show in the Pacific at the end of WWII.  It will be released in the spring of 2009.

 

As the editor for the Branson Veterans Task Force Bugle, I meet and interview many veterans.  I’m honored to write their stories.  With the Sunchon Tunnel Massacre survivors, I attend ex-POW and Korean War events across the country.

 

I serve on the Women Veterans Committee of the Branson Veterans Task Force.  Our mission is to honor women who serve.

 

Nancy Smith, the entertainment editor for the Tri-Lakes Tribune, and I are working together to build better communications between veterans, veteran organizations and Branson entertainment and events.  You’ll soon be able to visit our new website at www.bransonstarsandflags.com.

 

We’ve established the Branson Veterans Stars and Flags Book Awards program which will be presented each year as part of the Branson Veterans Task Force Veterans Week events.

 

 

Three-and-a-half pounds of love, loyalty and companionship – that’s Peanut.  A 5-year-old, chocolate teacup poodle, Peanut is my writing companion.  She sits on my lap or by my chair when I’m at my computer.  Of course she needs lots of attention – and lets me know it too.

 

Peanut loves people food, treats, having all her people (mainly my husband Everett and me) within view at all times.  She eats string cheese at bedtime and then cuddles up smack in the middle of our bed.  Then she’s a happy camper.

 

She hates vacuum cleaners and being left alone.  She can’t stand it when I fill my lap with books, computers or anything that takes away her napping space.

 

She welcomes all our friends and fellow writers – she makes them part of the family too.

 

 

 

Announcing

My coauthor, Joyce Faulkner,  and I have received the 2007 "Noble (Not Nobel!) Prize  for Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors for giving voice to "those who survived this Korean War atrocity -- and those who didn't."  We are delighted and thrilled.  Thank you, Carolyn Howard-Johnson and www.MyShelf.com.

My Scrapbook

 

Credentials

Author, Poet, Editor and Publisher

Who's Who in America 2002-2005

Partner in RRP Consulting -- a company specializing in helping people tell their stories.

 

Volunteer Interview for National History Project

Available for seminar presentations

Books

They Came Home: Korean War POWs Tell Their Stories

Letters from Korea : A Story of the Korean War

Tommy’s War

The Agèd Tree Stands Proud: I See New Beauty Found

 

the complete writer: a guide to tapping your full potential

ex-Prisoners of war: stories of faith, integrity & courage

the complete writer's journal

 

Publications

 Missouri Life, Writer's Magazine, Ozark Maturity, Ozark Mountaineer, Yarnspinners & Wordweavers Newsletter, Salute!  

 

MEMBERSHIPS

 

Missouri Writer's Guild

Ozarks Writer's League

Military Writers Society of America

National Women's History Project

 

Education

MA, Counseling Psychology, University of Missouri - Kansas City

BA, Business Administration and English, Colorado College

 

  • They Came Home:  The Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors -- In 1950, during the Korean War, nearly 200 American Prisoners of War were placed on a train headed north.  As they neared the Sunchon Tunnel, American jets appeared.  The North Koreans parked the train in the Sunchon Tunnel to avoid the American attack.  Then, over a two day period, they took the POWs out of the train and murdered them. Only twenty survived.  Today, there are only eight left to tell the story. On Memorial Day, 2006, seven of the eight reunited in Branson, MO.  Along with co-author, Joyce Faulkner, Pat McGrath Avery will present the amazing stories of these special men.

Photography by Pat McGrath Avery

 PRAISE FOR PAT MCGRATH AVERY'S WORK:

Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors:

“An incredibly powerful and important piece of history, masterfully written and researched.” ~ Dave Grossman, Lt. Col. USA (ret), Author, On Killing and On Combat, www.killology.com

“This excellent book chronicles the inhuman treatment suffered by young brave soldiers at the hands of a merciless foe. America is still technically at war with North Korea so ignore the lessons of history at your peril. One day American troops might meet these people on the battlefield again..." ~Phil Chinnery, author of 'Korean Atrocity' and Historian for the British National Ex-POW Association.

“This book is superbly written. It brilliantly documents stories long buried in the unremembered pages of Korean War History. It has been very well researched and compliments our POWs.”~ Samuel L. Clark, a member of the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team (RCT), Rakkasans, who participated in the drop to block the North Korean Retreat and rescue the POWs in October, 1950

"This story of the Sunchon Tunnel Massacre, is an awesome combination of military history and human memory, which provides a rare and powerful account of the true vestiges of war.  ~ Paul M. Edwards, Ph. D, Senior Fellow, Center for the Study of Korean War, Graceland University

They Came Home:

"This readable book recounts the experiences of three POWs, Billy Joe Harris, Ed Slater and Carey Weinel.  The book is easy to read, but the men's experiences are not easy to read about.  Avery tells their stories in graphic detail, just as they told them to her.  Avery uses an interesting technique to complement the stories:  a series of sidebars early in the book that provide some informational insights into the Korean War.  More importantly, the book raises some interesting questions about allied prisoners of war in Korea.

Avery's stories about the prisoners are riveting.  For example, the author points out the dichotomy in the way villager's treat POWs. In one narrative, Ed Slater mentioned on a couple of occasions as the prisoners were escorted through villages, some would ridicule them while others would try to give them food at personal risk...For some, the nightmares never ended.  That was the case of Harris, Slater and Weinel.  It is entirely possible that readers of They Came Home may develop nightmares themselves after finishing the book. That, however, is a small price to pay to learn what some people went through to keep us free." -- Art Sharp, Editor of The Graybeards Magazine

 The Aged Tree Stands Proud:

 "The Aged Tree Stands Proud is a unique and memorable collection of poetry in which Pat McGrath Avery chronicles the emotional journey of having to deal with the loss of a loved one." -- Midwest Book Review

 

Last Updated:  10/03/2008

 

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Pat McGrath Avery

18942 State Hwy 13, Suite F, Box #107
Branson West, MO 65737

patavery@gmail.com

Publisher:  Red Engine Press