Interview with Jennifer MackInday and Patti Donahue

Patti, the mother of Army medic Jon, and Jennifer, sister of infantry soldier James, forge a friendship back home as their soldiers fight to stay alive in one of the most dangerous cities in Iraq. After meeting online, Patti and Jennifer joined forces to support their soldiers and comfort each other while their boys battled with the infamous Deuce Four Stryker Brigade in the fierce fight to secure Mosul, Iraq. Though the two women were separated by thousands of miles, age, and interests, they were drawn together by shared terror and the overwhelming desire to communicate with and comfort their soldiers. This memoir contains actual emails and instant message communications with the soldiers, offering a unique and intimate look into the deployment. Jennifer MackInday lives in Bloomington, Indiana, with her husband and son. She attended Indiana University and has spent much of her career in advertising and marketing. Jennifer is a freelance writer and the owner of several successful enterprises. Patti Donahue splits her time between Amado, Arizona, and Sandy Island in Ontario, Canada. Patti has successfully balanced her family life and career as a corporate Director. Having worked more than 16 years in Mexico, she often describes herself as a true NAFTA woman. Friends for Life is her first published work.