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The Military & Front Lines Book Awards recognize emerging talent and outstanding works in Narrative Non-Fiction and Memoir, exploring the lives of those who serve their country and others. The Military & Front Lines Service Book Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (CIBAs).

We have long wanted to hold a Book Award Division for Narrative Non-Fiction that highlights the Service to Others embodied by those in our Military and Front Line Workers. You can enter the 2022 Military and Front Line Book Awards today!

All of us at Chanticleer have family that has served. Kiffer Brown grew up as a military brat with many members of her family serving.

2nd Lt Billy Wayne Flynn, U.S. Army. West Point Graduate

Second Lieutenant Billy Wayne Flynn was killed in action, Vietnam, January 23, 1967. He was 24 years old. Billy Wayne gave to me a book of poetry from his studies at West Point before he left for Viet Nam. He was my cousin. It was my first book of poetry and has his notes. I was in fourth grade. I still have it and treasure it. – Kiffer

A Green sketch of Robert Gerard Beaumier Sr. Shared herfor Memorial Day with the family's permission

Robert Gerard Beaumier Sr. who served in WWII

My father would often tell the story of how his dad, Robert, was in France during World War II. At one point a dog came and wouldn’t stop barking at his unit, no matter how much they told it to go away. Finally, Robert said “Va t’en!” and immediately the dog ran off. Everyone was suitably impressed that the dog spoke French! – David

The new Division honors the following Non-Fiction Narratives:

  • Military and Armed Forces Service Narratives
  • Medical Stories focused on Nurses, Doctors, Health Care Workers, and other Essential Workers
  • Stories of Community Service Workers such as Firefighters and Police
  • CARE, Peace Corps, Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, and other service organizations
  • Work in Agencies that serve their Community and Government
  • Families of those who serve in these Community Roles

Recognizing Winners from the inaugural 2021 Military and Front Line Awards

FLY SAFE: Letters from the Gulf War and Reflections from Back Home
By Vicki Cody

Fly Safe: Letters from the Gulf War by Vicky Cody Cover Image

Not many people can capture the emotions that coincide with war, but Vicki Cody joins the ranks of those who do in her wartime memoir, Fly Safe: Letters from the Gulf War and Reflections from Back Home.

This powerful memoir shows us the behind-the-scenes lives of the women, children, and families left at home while their soldiers set off for war, bringing us close to their raw vulnerability. Fly Safe fascinates as it informs readers of what one wife experiences as her commander husband leads his battalion to the middle east.

Read more here

DEAR BOB: Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.s of World War II
By Martha Bolton with Linda Hope

Dear Bob Cover

During World War II, Bob Hope traveled almost ceaselessly to outposts large and small, entertaining US troops – and inspiring them; Martha Bolton brings the extent of this work to light in Dear Bob.

Writer Martha Bolton worked with and for comedian Bob Hope. Now, with Hope’s daughter Linda, she has gathered and organized the letters written to Bob by the soldiers he helped.

Read more here

Keep Telling Stories – They Are Needed!

We are always honored to be trusted with any book at Chanticleer. It is a pleasure to highlight these stories with their own division.

“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.“–Mark Twain

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” – Maya Angelou

“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” —Joseph Campbell