Check out excerpts from Joe’s books When the Dust Settled and Unshackled by clicking on the images below!

Excerpt from When The Dust Settled

Dog Days

The school year had begun. Jefferson Middle School was several
blocks east of the apartment. Since we didn’t live more than a
mile away, I didn’t have the good fortune of riding the school bus,
so I walked to school. The majority of the route was uphill. Both
Marty and Greg were enrolled at Fulton, which was right across the
street. Toots was enrolled at Hempstead High School. She caught
the bus a block away. The walk gave me a chance to think about
things. The first week was hard on me. I was still trying to come
to grips with my youngest brothers not being here. From the very
first day, I was given homework. Not only did I not understand
the material, I didn’t care to. My mind was on the welfare of my
brothers. None of us kids talked to each other about how we felt
about being away from the two boys. However, I could see how
it was affecting all of them in different ways. When I was not at
school, I tried to find things to do around the house Combined with
the fact that Dad was nowhere around, I was daily fighting off the
feelings of finally being away from Tyrone yet without my brothers.
Jeff called my mom and set up a day and time to pick us up. He
wanted to discuss working for him.
Jeff picked us up Saturday afternoon and took us to Hardee’s
restaurant. Hardee’s restaurant was a fast-food joint, but it was
unlike any other place we’ve ever been to. Sure, we have been to
McDonald’s, Gerry’s and Burger King on very rare occasions, but Dog Days
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this was a special treat. As we entered the restaurant, Jeff said we
could order whatever we wanted. This was so uncommon. And of
course, my brothers took full advantage. They ordered so much
food I didn’t know where they’re going to put it all.
I didn’t want to take advantage of Jeff’s generosity, so I just
ordered a cheeseburger, fries, and a drink. I was content with that.
We found a booth to sit in. After we made quick work of our meals,
Jeff proceeded to tell us what he could use our help with.
“So, boys I don’t know if Joey had told you that I am physically
handicapped, I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease. Which means
I have trouble using my hands and feet. Eventually I may end up
in a wheelchair. There are a lot of things I can no longer do. In
fact, I don’t work. I am on a fixed income. I really can use some
help around my place with cleaning, mopping, dusting, and vac-
uuming. If you guys want to help me, I can put you to work right
away. Greg spoke up.
“When can we start? Can we start now?”
“No, Joey, let’s shoot for next Saturday. I’ll pick you guys up
at let’s say 1 p.m. How does that sound?”
“It sounds good to me. What do you guys think, Greg and Marty?”
“Sure, man,” Marty responded.
“Yes” was Greg’s response.
“Okay then, boys, it sounds like a plan. I’ll set it up with your
mother, and if you guys do a good job, I will see no reason why
we can’t do this long-term. In fact, I would like to do things with
you guys and maybe catch a hockey game or go to concerts and
things like that.” I began to cry a little bit. The fact that Jeff, who
I’ve never met before, wanted to not only help us to make money
but he wanted to invest in us is something a dad should be doing.
None of us had that, and I think we are all really excited about
what the future held. True to his word, Jeff picked us up that first
time to clean his apartment, and that was the start of a wonderful
relationship.
We’ve only been in Dubuque for about two months when Mom
shared some good news with us after school on a Friday. Mom
called all of us into the kitchen for dinner. As I entered I saw she WHEN THE DUST SETTLED
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was cooking up a big pot of macaroni and cheese—one of my
favorite meals.
She was in a good mood for a change, so I knew there must be
something in the air. Was Dad in town? Did she get a job?
“Hey kids, I have some wonderful news. I had applied for us
to live in Sheridan Village, the new housing project is on the north
end of town. We’ve been accepted.”
Toots, Marty, and Greg jumped up from the table and gave
Mom a huge hug. I sat there with many thoughts running through
my mind. What will change? Just our physical address? Will she go
back to the way she once was, sober and loving. I missed my mother.
“When are we are moving, Mom?” Toots asked.
“Well I signed a lease with this landlord for six months. I’ve
spoken with him about getting out of the lease, but he has not
responded to my request yet. The worst-case scenario would be we
lose the deposit. The manager at the new place wants us to move
in next week. I explained to him my situation with the release. He
responded by saying that’s not his problem. If we don’t move in a
reasonable amount of time, they will rent the apartment to some-
body else. I need you guys to start packing up your clothes. I have
boxes from Eagle supermarket. Toots, I need you and Joey to help
Marty and Greg to ensure they get all the stuff packed nice and
neat.” I contained my excitement because Dad still was not here,
not to mention Leon and Andre were still in Rockford. To be honest,
I was hoping her good news was the fact that the boys would be
moving here.
Later that evening, the landlord came to the apartment. He sat
at the kitchen table explaining to Mom that she was bound to the
contract she signed. All of us kids sat as she proceeded to share
with him our plight. Not having her youngest kids here must have
pulled on his heartstrings. He allowed Mom to get out of the lease.
And just like that, we moved into the new apartment. We had the
second apartment on the left. It was very nice. Everything was
brand new. It was so much better than the dilapidated apartment
we had been living in. Maybe this change was what I need to get
through the school year.

Fire Below, Fire Within

Excerpt from Unshackled

The heat was already thick that morning when disaster struck.

I was working down in the starboard filter room when the sharp wail of the General Quarters alarm shattered the air. A fire had broken out in the starboard hangar bay. We’d been through countless drills since the start of the World Cruise, but this one hit differently. You could feel it in the way the ship jolted to life—in the way your gut twisted before your brain caught up.

I climbed the ladder fast, sealed the hatch, and locked it down tight. Then came the worst part—waiting. We had been in general quarters a lot. I was trained, equipped, and prepared for whatever came. When I joined the Navy, I knew what I was getting into. I could lose my life in the line of duty. This was par for the course—and I was all in.

Our firefighters were the best. I’d been part of the in-port team—I knew the drills, the gear, the muscle memory. The U.S. Navy didn’t play games when it came to fires at sea.

But training couldn’t silence the voices in my head. The ones that had nothing to do with the present.

That fire no one could run from triggered something I thought I’d buried a long time ago.

Homebound (Excerpt from Unshackled)

As I stepped through the front door of Mom’s apartment, I moved through the room, hugging my brothers one by one. Tears rolled down my face—I couldn’t believe how much they had grown since the last time I saw them. I held each of them tightly, not wanting to let go. I had missed them more than I ever thought was possible.

I was so excited to be back home with my family.

They had a million questions about my new life, and I was more than eager to share every detail. But one person was missing… my sister. I knew she was forging her own path, and even though I missed her deeply, I was incredibly proud of her.

After a few days at home, Mom and Lynn organized a welcome-home gathering at Lynn’s house. For as long as I could remember, Lynn’s place had been the heart of the family—where everyone gathered, where everyone was welcome. She lived just a few blocks away, but somehow, it always felt like a world apart.

When we arrived, it felt like Mom was showing me off to anyone who would listen. I found it odd, considering she used to say I was the thorn in her side throughout my childhood. I had been regularly subjected to emotional and physical abuse from her and my stepdad—wounds I still carried.

We’d come early to help her set up. She made sloppy joes and corn on the cob. My brothers and I pitched in wherever we could. Something about it all made me feel like the day would be a good one. I thanked Lynn for always keeping me updated on how my brothers were doing. My own mother had only written to me once while I was away, and that still stung in a place too deep for words.

Throughout the afternoon, I visited with nearly all of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was overwhelming at times, but when the day was over and I laid down to rest, I felt wrapped in love. My extended family still saw me—still embraced me—and that meant more than I could ever express.

The Best for Last

Toward the end of my leave, I finally had the chance to visit Aunt Grace and my grandparents at her home. Earlier that day, Grace had called and asked me to wear my uniform so she could take pictures of Grandpa and me together.

She greeted me at the door with her million-dollar smile. “Joey! Welcome home, honey!”

“It’s great to be home, Aunt Grace,” I said as we hugged. “Thank you for all the letters… they were my lifeline.”

“It was the least I could do, honey.”

I stepped into the kitchen and greeted my grandparents, who were sitting at the table.

“Where are the girls, Grace?” I asked.

“They’re at work, honey. Hopefully, you’ll get to see them before you leave.”

“Sounds good.”

“You look great, Joey,” they said together in sweet, imperfect unison.

We spent the next few hours catching up on life, laughing and reminiscing like no time had passed.

Before I left, Grace insisted on taking pictures of me with my grandparents. After she was finally satisfied with the shots, she smiled and said, “Rock Hudson, eat your heart out!”

“Who’s Rock Hudson?” I asked with a grin.

“He’s a very handsome movie star… but not as handsome as my nephew.”

“Thanks,” I laughed. “Hey Grandma, can you take a picture of me and Grace? She’s been taking pictures of everyone else!”

Grandma took a few shots, and then it was time to say goodbye.

I hate goodbyes.

I hugged Grace and Grandma tightly, but as I walked toward Grandpa, I noticed a tear in his eye. When we embraced, he held me firmly and said, “I am so very proud of you, son.”

That was only the second time in my life I’d ever seen Grandpa cry—and it moved me beyond words. As I walked away from the house, tears welled up in my eyes.

Grandpa was a WWII Navy veteran who had served at Pearl Harbor. He was one of the biggest reasons I chose the Navy in the first place.

He was my hero.

Coming home gave me the reset I didn’t know I needed. The time with my siblings, my family—it was something I had longed for, something I’d been aching for. And after our brief time together, my heart felt full.

Reflection

That trip home did something I didn’t expect—it reminded me of who I was beneath the uniform, beneath the pain. I’d been running so hard, trying to prove myself to people who had already given up on me, that I forgot what it felt like to be seen. To be loved just for showing up.

But that night, when Grandpa said he was proud of me… it healed something. Not completely—but enough to keep going. Enough to face the next storm.

Because there were still many storms ahead. But for the first time in a long time, I believed I might just survive them.