Robert Vera Releases A WARRIOR'S FAITH
By: Christina Mancuso Feb. 02, 2015
(PRWEB) January 31, 2015
HarperCollins Publishers proudly announces the upcoming release of "A Warrior's Faith," a exhilarating tale of inspiration, intensity, and tribute to a real-life American hero and friend.
Ryan "Biggles" Job's close friend, Robert Vera, recounts how the highly decorated Navy SEAL's unstoppable sense of humor, positive attitude, and fierce determination helped him survive after being shot in the face by an enemy sniper on a roof in Ramadi, Iraq.
The hit Warner Bros. movie version of "American Sniper" was adapted from Chris Kyle's New York Times #1 best-selling book of the same name, which was dedicated to Kyle's Navy SEAL teammate and close friend Ryan "Biggles" Job (pronounced Jobe), a central character in both the book and film. Hollywood actor Jake McDorman portrays Ryan Job in the film version, while "American Sniper" co-producer Bradley Cooper plays the role of Kyle. Vera, who was also friendly with Chris Kyle, says that the runaway success of the film "American Sniper" and seeing his friends portrayed on the silver screen has taken him a bit by surprise. "The movie was a little eerie for me," says Vera. "It was like seeing a ghost because Jake McDorman actually looked and sounded a lot like Ryan."
Chris Kyle and Ryan "Biggles" Job went through grueling Navy SEAL training together, where Ryan earned his nickname "Biggles" because he was significantly bigger than the other trainees. Once deployed to Iraq, the two were stationed on a rooftop in Ramadi when Job was shot in the face and gravely wounded by an enemy sniper. Job miraculously survived, but was rendered permanently blind. The incident is captured in one of the movie's most harrowing sequences.
Shortly after returning stateside for facial reconstructive surgery and rehabilitation, Job, became involved in wounded veteran's causes and befriended Robert Vera. Vera, a former U.S. Senate aide on military affairs and Merrill Lynch executive, trained with Job in the hills around Phoenix, Arizona for Job's unprecedented blind hike to the summit of Washington's Mt. Rainer, one of the tallest and deadliest peaks in America. An avid hunter, Ryan later learned to go elk hunting totally blind and even bagged an elk. Vera and Job became close friends, as Job went on to train for Iron Man triathlons, earn his college degree, and win numerous accolades serving as a spokesman for disabled veterans and their families.
Tragically, after surviving the deadly attack in Iraq, Ryan Job died of an accidental medical overdose at Maricopa County Medical Center, two days after a round of facial reconstructive surgery. Ryan's wife was pregnant with their first child at the time of his death.
"Ryan Job's real life story is more complex, more inspiring, and in some ways even more tragic than Chris Kyle's," says Vera, who pays tribute to his fallen friend in a new book about Job. "A Warrior's Faith: Navy SEAL Ryan Job, a Life-Changing Firefight, and the Belief That Transformed His Life" will be released March 3rd by HarperCollins Publishers LLC. "I hope that readers will come away inspired by Ryan's courage, determination and faith, like I was," Vera said.
Vera gave the eulogy at Ryan's funeral that was attended by several hundred Navy SEALs from around the globe. He was also in attendance at Kyle's funeral service in Texas in 2013, who allegedly passed away at the hands of a fellow veteran suffering from PTSD, whom Kyle was trying to assist.
"A Warrior's Faith" chronicles' Job's amazing life from the time he was wounded and made blind to his summit climb of Mt. Rainier and his elk hunting adventure, all while blind, as well as his unstoppable spirit and unshakeable faith until his tragic death in 2009. It is available for pre-sale now, and Vera will be available for book signings and speaking engagements to pay tribute to his fallen friend and American hero.
Pre-Order Book: http://www.Amazon.com | Website: http://www.AWarriorsFaith.com
For interviews, reviewer requests, and all other media inquiries please contact Allen Media Strategies' Erika Schaefer at Erika@allenmediastrategies.com or call 703-589-8960.
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