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Date: 6/3/2020
EAST WINDSOR, CT – For Chicopee native Tom Hebert, the Chicopee Public Library was where he learned to be a writer and inspired his ambitions to be a novelist.
Many years later, Hebert, a Marine Corp veteran of Vietnam and now the chief financial officer at Cambridge Credit Counseling Corporation in Agawam, has lived up to his earlier goal and has published “The Remains of the Corps: Volume One, Ivy and the Crossing.”
He explained to Reminder Publications the first volume is part of a six-book arc following the fictional Remains family and their multi-generational experiences with the Marines.
In his description of the book, he said, “The United States Marine Corps has been a household name for generations. True to the lyrics of its official hymn, the Corps has fought its country’s battles in the air, on land, and sea for more than 200 years. For many, serving in Corps has been and continues to be a “family business.” The fictional Remains (an anagram for Marines) are one such family. Told by third-generation Marine and Vietnam veteran, Will Remain, the saga begins with his grandfather Kenneth Remain – born in Worcester, MA and educated at Harvard College. They, and other members of their family, are Marines, but there is more to their stories, much more. Figuring prominently in their lives are the born-to-the-purple Lawrence Blakeslee and the beautiful KatyKay Mulcahy.”
The book had its origins about 10 years ago, Hebert explained, he had done some non-fiction work, but wanted to write fiction.
“I spent a great deal of time doing research,” he said.
Over the course of decade, Hebert wrote the book in his spare time. Hebert lived in Chicopee for more than 20 years and graduated from Cathedral High School in 1964. His wife, Eleanor, is also a Chicopee native.
His late father, William G. Hebert, was a Marine who served in World War II and Hebert said his farther, while proud of the Marines, was reluctant to speak about his experiences.
When the two men drove to the Marine Corp Museum in Virginia, only then did his father talk to him about his time as a Marine.
Hebert said his book “is a work of fiction intended to honor the Marine Corps and an institution and the Marines who served.”
He added, “My service in the Marines is the single most important motivation behind my writing ‘The Remains of the Corps.’ Joining the Marines in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam War, I followed in my father’s footsteps. Dad served in the Corps during WWII and fought on Iwo Jima. He sang the ‘Marine Corps Hymn’ so often over the years that I began singing it as well. As soon as I graduated college, I signed up and completed OCS and the Basic School and became an officer (1st Lieutenant). I served from 1968 - 1971 (Vietnam ’70 - ’71). I love the Marine Corps and am forever grateful to it. It shaped me for a lifetime. Writing a six-volume story about Marines is my way of giving back and, hopefully, doing my small part to perpetuate the Corps’ legendary status. I also came away from my Marine Corps experience in Vietnam with some survivor guilt. It is difficult to explain, but it has me in its grip.
“‘The Remains of the Corps’ is, first and foremost, an epic literary endeavor; I couldn’t pay true tribute to the Corps with anything less.”
General David H. Berger, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, wrote, Hebert a letter praising the book, “‘The Remains of the Corps’ is a compelling look at the Marines in World War 1. It is clear that you put a significant amount of effort into creating believable characters and scenarios and truly bringing each one to life. Your book is a great addition to our library at the Home of the Commandants. Many thanks for your service to the Corps and our country ... Semper Fidelis.”
The book was also favorably reviewed in the March 20202 edition of Leatherneck Magazine. An important part of his book, Hebert said, was working with artist Tara Kazmaier who provided 134 illustrations for the novel. He said he believes having illustrations in a novel is important to aid the reader is fully realizing the characters.
The book is available in several ways – a hardcover, paperback and e-book. Released last September, Hebert said the e-book has been the most popular seller and is available through Amazon. The print versions can be purchased through Hebert’s website, https://remainsofthecorps.com. The book is also available at Army Barracks on Memorial Drive in West Springfield. He hopes to have the second volume in about two years with two years separating the other four volumes.
The pandemic delayed Hebert’s plans to stage signings for the book, but he plans to do joint presentations with the illustrator. He intends to have a signing at the Chicopee Public Library bringing his intent to be a novelist full circle.