David Raber’s Navy veteran memoir from his service in Vietnam came alive with the help of Virginia author Anne-Wallis Droter, in “From Variety Show to Vietnam.”
As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, local Richmond author Anne-Wallis Droter has partnered with Navy veteran David Raber to bring a powerful new memoir to life. “From Variety Show to Vietnam” traces Raber’s unlikely journey from carefree college stage performer to officer commanding patrol boats in the Mekong Delta, weaving together his personal letters and memories into a story filled with duty, sacrifice, and enduring love.
The project began when Raber, now retired in South Dakota, reached out to Droter, a Virginia-based writer. Raber liked the idea of telling his story, and his family wanted to make sure they captured it from his perspective so that they – and future generations – could hold it in their hands. Droter, whose passion is helping older generations record their life stories, was the perfect partner.
“Working with Dave was inspiring. I got to witness first-hand the personal sacrifices he made for our country,” Droter said. “I love helping people preserve their stories. Our elders possess a goldmine of wisdom that shouldn’t be lost.”…