CEDAR FALLS - Capt. Daniel Gade's story is told over the course of 14 pages inside the newly released "Battlefields & Blessings."

In 2005, the soldier was just days away from returning from a Korean base to a stateside home when his superior officers gave him the option of deploying with his men to Iraq.

"Here I am Lord, send me," he said.

Less than four months later, Gade's vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device. The explosion fractured his skull and left a gaping wound from his sternum, across his groin to his right knee. And that was just the beginning. In the end, he would lose his right leg, but not his hope or faith.

Gade's tale is just one of the dozens in "Battlefields & Blessings: Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan."

The book, co-authored by Jocelyn Green of Cedar Falls, tells the story of this country's war on terrorism through the eyes, ears and voices of our military men and women, their families and those who have had an impact or been impacted by the events in this country since 9/11.

"Anyone who has a friend or relative involved in the war will want to pick this up. People who go off to war often don't want to share their experiences with their loved ones when they return. They want to protect their innocence. This is a good way to find out more," Green said. "Our hope is the average American citizen will also find something. These are the stories that aren't covered in mainstream media."

Green, who called the book emotionally draining to research and write, said that for all the sad stories there another of hope and encouragement. Sometimes, the stories are both. The book, which is written like a daily devotional with a verse and suggested prayer, covers the time between 9/11 and the present.

Sgt. Shane Klein of La Porte City tells his of his experience "Preparing to Deploy" on July 19. Green contacted Klein via e-mail while he was stationed at Fort Sill, Okla., in July 2008. Klein's National Guard unit was preparing for a yearlong deployment to Balad, Iraq.

"My first thought, was I hadn't deployed yet, what would I contribute," Klein said. "I was a little insecure about what I could add, but then she described the book as a way to spiritually help people through the hardships of this war. I thought it would be good to give my thoughts and they could decide to use them or not."

The book is available locally at Family Christian Store, 2019 Crossroads Blvd., or online at www.faithdeployed.com.