John Stoeffler’s life has been governed by three
guiding principles: his unshakable faith, his love of family, and his reverence
for the freedom that is his birthright as a citizen of this country. In a world
that sometimes seems to be going crazy, this St. Petersburg writer has penned a
collection of poems that reads like an oasis of sanity. God, Family, Freedom
celebrates the things that make life worthwhile.
Stoeffler, a Missouri native, graduated from
Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University) and served in the army from
1964-1966, spending 13 months in Korea. After being discharged, he married his
artist wife, Linda, and went to work for General Electric. He retired in 2003,
and thirteen years later decided to move to Florida to downsize and be near his
daughter and her family. “The things I like best about living in Florida are
the opportunities related to writing, new friends, and meeting regularly with
fellow veterans,” he says.
Stoeffler became interested in writing when he lived
in Missouri. “I started writing letters to the editor of the St. Louis Globe
Democrat on a regular basis, and many were published,” he recalls. “Then
the Suburban Newspapers, a weekly publication, offered me the
opportunity to submit columns on a regular basis. Before long, I was writing
weekly commentaries and op-eds that dealt with subjects from politics to humor
to views on everyday life.”
From there, Stoeffler branched out to writing and
composing country songs. “Lyrics are actually a form of poetry,”
he explains.The lyrics of several of the songs have made their
way into God, Family, Freedom. Among these are “You’ll Always Be My Little Girl,” written for his
daughter’s wedding, and “I Spell Love Y-O-U” which he penned for his wife on their
25th wedding anniversary.
God, Family, Freedom is
Stoeffler’s first published book. He got the idea after a presentation he made
to a veteran’s group. He read “I Am America,” a poem he wrote as a
commentary piece, and “June 6, ’44” a poem that commemorates D-Day, and several
vets suggested he put together a collection of his poetry. “I liked the proposal,”
Stoeffler says, “and the rest is history.” He spent a year and a half composing
the 56 poems that comprise God, Family, Freedom. “The hardest part was
coming up with a subject and then rewriting and rewriting and rewriting,” he
says, “but I enjoy the personal reward of accomplishment and seeing others
enjoy the stories I tell through my poetry.”
According to Stoeffler, there are several things that
set God, Family, Freedom apart from other poetry collections. “Too much
that is written today is dark,” he says. “My poems will bring a smile and maybe
a laugh. There are a couple of them that, like an O. Henry story, will surprise
you at the end. And some may bring a tear of joy.” Each poem is accompanied by
a picture or photo intended to draw the reader into the subject. In addition,
the book’s cover is from an original picture painted by Stoeffler’s wife,
Linda.
Stoeffler hopes his poems will touch the reader’s
heart by bringing back fond memories. “Virtually every poem will have meaning
to the reader, as they describe many common experiences, he says. “In these
troubled times, God, Family, Freedom is meant to be a beacon of hope and
joy.”
For more information, go to https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/god-family-freedom-john-stoeffler/1131697510?ean=9781987039764
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