Del Vecchio And Wiggins To Speak At AAUW Event

Newtown author John M. Del Vecchio and New Fairfield author Jefferson Wiggins will be the guest speakers at the Danbury branch of the American Association of University Women’s book and author luncheon on April 21 at 11:30 am at the Ridgewood Country Club.

Mr Del Vecchio’s most recent novel, Darkness Falls, was recently released in paperback. The story revolves around John Panuzio, a man who finds his life unraveling at middle age. He is estranged from his family, finds his job meaningless, and his self-respect is rapidly dwindling.

Mr Del Vecchio grew up in Bridgeport and Stratford, played football for Stratford High School, then went to Lafayette College in Easton, Penn., graduating with a degree in 1969. He then served in the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army and went to the front as a combat journalist.

His wartime experiences helped him with his other novels. His novel Carry Me Home is about three Vietnam veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress syndrome. His most successful book is The 13th Valley. Critics have called it one of the most honest and definitive books ever written about the Vietnam War. It has sold more than a million copies. He is currently at work on a nonfiction book about a single battle in the Vietnam War.

Jefferson Wiggins is a member of the New Fairfield Board of Education. He has written a book manuscript based on his life titled Another Generation Almost Forgotten. A World War II veteran who lied about his age and joined the army at 13, Mr Wiggins got to meet General George Patton and served on the Belgian-French border at 15. Another centerpiece of the book is the mentor relationship between the 14-year-old Mr Wiggins and a librarian who opened up the world of books to him when he was stationed on Staten Island in 1943.

Mr Wiggins is a mentor in the New Fairfield school system, a vice president of the Greater Danbury Coalition for a Community United, and each year speaks in Bethel schools during February, Black History Month.

The book and author luncheon is a fundraiser for local scholarships and a collaboration of Danbury’s AAUW and Borders Books. For information call 203-743-1246 or 203-797-8225. Tickets are $35 per person and reservations need to be made by April 12.