Readers will see the World War I era through the eyes of a newlywed couple separated by military service in Jeremy Amick's latest book, "Soldierly Devotion."
The rich details of a couple's devotion and the worries of war emerged from a box held by the Russellville couple's grandson. After presenting Vietnam Service Medals at a May 2014 Russellville alumni meeting, Amick was approached by Keith West, who wanted to share his grandfather's story.
For the next six months, Amick organized and analyzed the letters written back and forth from the Russellville farm to the European theater and back, as well as the other military documents, photos and memorabilia.
The letters from Watts, on varying letterhead from YMCA to Knights of Columbus aid, cover his training, travel, everyday experiences abroad and his humanity faced with battle.
"I thought, "This stuff needs to be in a book,'" Amick said. "It's an amazing microcosm of history."
The World War I time frame often is overshadowed by the Civil War and World War II, he said.
But as the 100th anniversary of the first world war continues through 2018, Amick said this was a fortuitous time to share such a localized story about the generation.
The United States had 4.5 million men and women in uniform for the war, despite not entering until 1917. Cole County lost 58 individuals.
"I hope readers will be attentive to the memory of those individuals who laid down their lives for freedom," he said.
Amick said in addition to seeing the war through the eyes of a lower enlisted man, the book also shows a love story of a couple devoted to each other.
Belle Watts had lost her father and brother when she was young, so she was focused on staying close to her husband, he said.
"You can sense that in these letters," Amick said.
At a book signing 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 31 in Jefferson City at Samuel's Tuxedos and Gifts, 236 E. High St., Amick also will present West with the Missouri World War I medal in honor of his grandfather's service. Amick's latest book will be available at The Vault in Russellville and at Samuel's.
His next project is "Cole County At War: 1861-1975," which may be released by summer.