Fighting Words

In the literary genre of books about wars fought during the last century, Ventura resident Joyce M. Kennedy has added “Distant Thunder--Canada’s Citizen Soldiers on the Western Front” (Sunflower University Press, Manhattan, Kan.).

Kennedy’s father, Robert James Kennedy, served with the 2nd Battery, 1st Artillery Brigade in World War I as a member of the Canadian Expeditionary Force. Years later, she discovered her father’s dust-covered diaries while going through the old family home in Canada.

Unaware that he had kept a diary, she was further surprised to find a citation earned at the Battle at Vimy Ridge in 1917. The diary accounts ended after his injury, but he kept on writing in letters to her mother.

Some of the passages moved her--particularly one she cited in the book. “I wish this was over,” her father wrote, “but if they told me I could go home tomorrow, I wouldn’t go, because my duty lies here.” She felt a bit guilty that she had never thanked him for his efforts, she said.

“This was really a very private thing,” she said. “I was only going to type it all up for my brothers and sister really, but more and more things happened and there was a gradual metamorphosis on my part to think there’s something here I should share with more people.”

Although the book centers on her father, Kennedy’s three brothers also saw active service--in the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. Robert served with Wireless Communications in Bomber Command, “Hap” became a Spitfire pilot and Carleton was killed on his first mission, Aug. 30, 1944.

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Long before becoming director emeritus of CSUN’s Ventura campus, Kennedy also served in the Royal Canadian Air Force, as a public information officer. That career ended when a skiing accident hospitalized her for five months, followed by 1 1/2 years of recuperation. She said the life-changing event caused her to consider work that served others in the nonprofit sector.

She worked for Easter Seals, the Girl Scouts and the mentally disabled before helping to start a university in Ventura County. Now the book is her passion.

The book gives graphic details of trench warfare, along with a chronology and a glossary. More than 400 footnotes are included to substantiate historical events.

“The most difficult chapter to write was about the Battle of Vimy Ridge,” she said. “It took six weeks to write and I still wasn’t satisfied. While the battle didn’t end the war, it helped to turn the tide.”

An interesting sidelight was finding Dr. John McRae’s signature at the bottom of her father’s medical records. McRae wrote the poem “Flander’s Field.”

Kennedy, who will appear today at Ventura Barnes & Noble to sign and discuss the book, said she hopes it will raise the awareness of Canada’s part in World War I. Not many people realize that 600,000 Canadians fought and 62,000 were killed, she said.

“One of my greatest pleasures would be if anybody who reads my book would go out and buy another book about World War I by another author,” she said. “I really hope that it moves people to learn more about the sacrifices those men made.”

HAPPENINGS

* Today: 2 p.m. Joyce M. Kennedy will discuss and sign “Distant Thunder--Canada’s Citizen Soldiers on the Western Front.” Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Today: 2 p.m. Several of the poets published in the annual poetry magazine DAYBreak 2000 will read from their works. Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Today: 6 p.m. Poetry discussion, followed by a featured speaker at 7 p.m. and open mike at 8 p.m. Borders. 497-8159.

* Monday: 11 a.m. Exploration of the great artists of the world concludes with Leonardo da Vinci. Borders, 497-8159.

* Monday: 7 p.m. The Spiritual Book Discussion Group, led by The Rev. Gifford Smith, will focus on “Sacred Hoop” by Phil Jackson and Hugh Delehanty. Borders, 497-8159.

* Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. Story time and crafts about travel for ages 2 1/2 to 7. Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road., Ventura (650-9688)

* Tuesday: 4:30 p.m. Pioneer aviator Amelia Earhart will be featured this month in the biography program for school-age kids. Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., 446-2820.

* Tuesday: 7 p.m. Pepperdine University Professor Michael Collings conducts an ongoing poetry workshop. Borders, 497-8159.

* Tuesday: 7:30 p.m. Poetry Reading by Marsha de la O, whose first book of poems, “Black Hope,” won the New Issues Poetry Prize from Western Michigan University. Abednego Bookstore, 2160 Thompson Blvd., Ventura, 643-9350.

* Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. Story time about different modes of transportation. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Wednesday: Noon. John Gates will discuss and sign “Brigham’s Day.” Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 374-0084.

* Wednesday: 4 p.m. A book group for ages 10 and up will focus on “Holes” by Louis Sachar. Borders, 497-8159.

* Wednesday: 7 p.m. The American Girls club will focus on Kirsten. Ventura Barnes & Noble, 339-9170.

* Friday: 7 p.m. Sam Horn will discuss and sign “ConZentrate! and Tongue Fu!” Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble, 446-2820.

* Saturday: 3 p.m. Story time and crafts about travel for ages 2 1/2 to 7. Adventures for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road., Ventura, 650-9688.

Information about book signings, writers groups and publishing events can be e-mailed to anns40@aol.com or faxed to (805) 647-5649.