Russell Gilley, a hillbilly born and reared in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, is desperate to join the army to fight the Nazis. He persuades his mother, Oda, to sign the papers required to allow him to enlist even though he is under age. She does so with great trepidation, remembering her brother-in-law who lost his life to mustard gas in World War I. Russ arrives in Belgium in time to fight in the Battle of the Bulge at Elsenborn Ridge with the 99th Army Division. He earns both a Bronze Medal and a Purple Heart before losing his life. Oda is presented with The Gold Star--the medal well...

Foy's World This story grew out of many childhood memories growing up in the Blue Ridge Mountains where Wade Gilley was born. Wade has previously written two memoirs about two central figures in his life: his mother Forest Gilley, Life Before Sister, and his grandmother Oda Gilley, Damn Right It Hurts. Foy's World is his first effort to write fiction. This story is primarily told through a series of conversations between a 45-year old grandmother, Sophia "Sophie" Robinson, and her 10-year old grandson, McFoy or "Foy" Robinson while sitting on the front porch of a deteriorating family home...