Thursday, June 23, 2016

[535] ‘Ghosts of the Green Grass’ haunt upcoming ‘MTSU On the Record’


MURFREESBORO — The story of a Vietnam War veteran who was thrust into some of the bloodiest battles of the conflict is the subject of the next “MTSU On the Record.”

Host Gina Logue’s interview with MTSU alumnus J.L. “Bud” Alley will air from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Monday, June 20, and from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Sunday, June 26, on WMOT-FM (89.5 and www.wmot.org).

Alley, who earned a master’s degree in history from MTSU in 2011, is author of “The Ghosts of the Green Grass,” a chronicle of his experience as communication officer for the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry during the Vietnam War.

He was commissioned into the United States Army in 1964 as a second lieutenant upon graduating from Furman University with a bachelor’s degree in biology.

Among his honors are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Air Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Alley says the “ghosts of the green grass” are the psychological aftereffects of the fierce fighting he experienced in the jungles of Vietnam.

“For 25 years, I slept with the light on,” Alley said. “I was afraid of the dark. I was very fortunate. I had a very perceptive doctor who recognized I might be having some issues other than generally described medical conditions.”

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, go to http://bit.ly/mtsu-otr.

For more information, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.


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