SFC Alexander Stewart Book Signing and Talk

Join us on November 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Milton E. Long Library and meet Soldier and Author SFC Alexander Stewart – book author of “Unspoken Words: The Thoughts of a Soldier”.

Alexander Stewart Bio:  My name is SFC Alexander Stewart, and I am currently serving as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Moore, GA (Formally Fort Benning).  So far in my career I have served through three separate combat deployments that include tours to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.  Throughout my time in the service, I have seen many terrible things and have dealt with the aftermath of experiencing those things.  I personally understand the internal struggle that those around us cannot see, and thus I wrote this collection of poems in order to help veterans and active members of the military understand their emotions and potentially deal with them in their own way through my words.  I also wanted to create something that would help those that have never served understand military members a little better, thus bridging the gap between the military and civilians.  The book allows a military spouse, child, parent, or friends to see the world through the eyes of a Soldier.   Through the words they will see what we've seen, experience what we've experienced, and learn to understand why the mind of a military member is the way that it is or why military members act the way that they act.   Another reason why I wrote the book is to show all military personnel that there are people out there who understand what they are going through and that it is ok to not be ok.  I hope that those who are struggling but cannot find the words to describe what they are going through can find solace and comfort in my words, and potentially become encouraged to seek help.  The poetry within the book covers issues related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and some of the causation behind its development for Soldiers.  The book also has a number of funny, motivational, and patriotic poems as well that are geared more towards providing readers with a whimsical look at some of the events Soldiers deal with, such as a spouse cheating on a Soldier while they're fighting overseas.  Eventually, through working with the military's Behavioral Health realm and chaplain corps, I want to possibly be able to provide any military personnel who are struggling with PTSD or other issues with copies for free when they visit those outlets of treatment.

I am also a motivational speaker but started speaking publicly at events as an advocate for mental health and suicide prevention.  Over the last two months I have been featured on three video podcasts, a radio show, and have made multiple guest speaker appearances all in which I covered the serious issue of Soldier mental health and suicide amongst military, as well as first responders.  I have donated over 55 copies of my book, out of my own pocket, to various organizations and venues that assist with the treatment of those in first responder and military occupations that are struggling with mental health.  Finally, every month I hold a physical fitness challenge event that encompasses the number 22 to raise awareness of the 22 service members/veterans who take their life every day, as well as remember/honor those who are no longer with us.

I am very happy to say that since the book’s publication and the start of my public speaking events, I have been contacted by four different currently serving service members who had made plans to take their own lives.  Once contacted, I was able to keep them on the phone with me, talked them down from their escalated emotional state, and convinced them to immediately go to their local hospitals to seek immediate medical treatment.  I ensured to stay on the phone with these individuals as they went to the hospital and remained on the phone with them until they were assessed and admitted to show my support.  After they were released from receiving the care that they needed, all four contacted me again.  Although they all still have much more work to do on their journey to recovery, I am very happy knowing they are all still here.  I am very thankful and humbled that they reached out to me in their time of need, and proud to say that I was able to help my brothers in arms.

For more information and to register, please contact the Milton E. Long Library at +1 (706) 545-4911. We hope to see you!