The History of a Different DNA is a quite unlikely story in several regards. For openers, in this book DNA has nothing to do with the well-known deoxyribonucleic acid. DNA is Dale N. Amend, and this is his story.
The dramatic highlight of his life story is unlikely. It occurs in the middle of the story. He becomes an Air Force pilot flying a small unarmed airplane just over the tree tops at 75 knots controlling air strikes on enemy targets in Vietnam. Not what he had planned. After 423 combat missions in 773 hours of combat flying time in one year, he comes home in one piece with the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, 19 Air Medals and other military decorations. He declines the title of hero.
Through unlikely developments in the midst of his combat flying assignment, he becomes associated with American Christian missionaries. With them, he plays tennis sings in military services, worships with Jarai and Raday Montagnard natives, eats at the missionaries' table and carries their daughter, (like his own two year old 10,000 miles away) who chooses "Uncle" to take her to her bed. He hauls excess military food for them in his little airplane and helps with the establishment of their second leprosy clinic.
Dale's earlier book, A Duck Looking for Hunters, tells the exciting dramatic story of his time in Vietnam. Back in the United States, he teaches at the US Air Force Academy and works with cadets in the DeMolay Club. As the Officer Representative of the Academy pistol team, he flies the national champion team to matches around the nation.
Much earlier in life, Dale becomes the youngest son of a stable farming family which is rich in heritage, church life and community involvement. They don't have money, but they are rich. In high school, he earns a letter in basketball, faithfully sitting on the bench. He also earns letters in track and field, where the competitors in pole vaulting are poor. Extracurricular activities in high school vary from the hilarious to the unbelievable but true. He is senior class president and salutatorian. Family cooperation puts Dale and his three siblings through good schools and college. He holds a BS in Agriculture and a separate BS in Mechanical Engineering.
After a twenty-four year military career, Nancy and Dale buy, refurbish and re sell nearly fifty homes. The hard work helps get kids through college and pays for motor home travel through all of the contiguous states, all of the Canadian provinces and a great deal of Mexico, totaling 230,000 miles of travel.
Dale and Nancy believe in commitment. They have been married for sixty years and counting. All four of their children and their families also live in Albuquerque within thirty minutes. Dale has named the bunch the Triple A, the Association of Albuquerque Amends. They assemble frequently for good family fun.
Dale pursues the game of golf with minimum success and maximum enjoyment. He gardens with enthusiasm and good results. He grows vegetables for the neighborhood and flowers for church visitation of shut-ins. The History of a Different DNA is a happy story.
