Jeff Gottesfeld was of military age during the Vietnam era. His position on the military could be described as skeptical at best. But as he got older he started going to National Cemeteries on Memorial Day. When he saw tombstones with the marking of Unknown on them, he started doing some research. And that’s where the idea behind TWENTY-ONE STEPS came from.

Line 6 of the Tomb Guard Creed is “my standard will remain perfection.” In a sea of children’s books about individual identity, Jeff decided to write about giving up your identity. The idea of giving up of yourself – selfless sacrifice – for something larger is important, especially in the age of identity. TWENTY-ONE STEPS is told in the first person so that kids can put themselves in those shoes. Through the book, kids get to learn about honor, reverence, sacrifice, obedience, commitment, patriotism, responsibility, service, and love.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is America’s shrine, preserving and honoring the remains of Unknown soldiers from three wars. TWENTY-ONE STEPS is the illustrated picture book that tells the story of the Tomb, and the steadfast Tomb Guards who keep faith and watch every minute of every day. It is told from the point of view of the first Unknown interred in November, 1921. 

Jeff writes for page, stage, and screen. He has won awards from the American Library Association, the Association of Jewish Libraries, the Writer’s Guild of America, the National Council for the Social Studies, and the American Alliance for Theater and Education. His current focus is picture book texts for children. Born in Manhattan and raised in Teaneck, New Jersey, he currently lives in Los Angeles.  

Listeners, if you would like to see more of what Jeff is up to, check out his website here or connect with him on social media via Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook. Don’t forget to get a copy of TWENTY-ONE STEPS here.

News 6 with Jolene

Here is this week’s News 6 mashup of stories for the week of Nov. 8, 2021, straight from AWN News 6 Correspondent, Jolene McNutt:

38 Privatized Military Housing Communities Under New Ownership

Military Times reported that 38 privatized military housing communities are under new ownership. The Michaels Organization purchased eight of the properties from previous owner, Clark Realty Capital. Lincoln Military Housing sold its company to its employees and changed its name to Liberty Military Housing. The new company now owns privatized housing at 30 military installations. These two sales are considered positive moves for military families.

Department of Defense Decides Against Merging Commissary and Exchanges

The Department of Defense has decided against merging the Defense Commissary Agency and all three separate exchange systems, “finding that the plan would not result in the billions in savings originally projected in 2018,” reported Military.com. A newly released report found that merging the Comm...