I dedicate this book to my Vero Beach family, friends, and neighbors. You are my inspiration. And to the love of my life, Mel Laracey, thank you for always encouraging me to write and for providing a wickedly funny male perspective when my imagination flags.

---

Many thanks to Marc Esposito, Special Tactics Officer, USAF for providing me with the Special Forces jargon and terminology and to language consultant, Carlos Villarreal for correcting my deplorable Spanish.