U.S. Navy veteran Michael Embrich knew his fellow veterans were missing an important line of support. As the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Committee, he works with veterans legislation in Washington D.C., helping to provide that support. But as a veteran with a few miles under his belt, he’s written a book to give them a clearer picture.
Embrich wrote “March On! A Veteran’s Travel Guide” while shelter-in-place orders were in effect during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“March On! A Veteran’s Travel Guide,” was written by Navy veteran Michael Embrich.
“It’s basically a first-hand account of the world’s most significant places for military personnel, veterans, and civilians with a passion for military history, to travel to, told through my auspices,” he told the Hudson Reporter.
Listen to a CBS Audio interview with Embrich below.
Embrich describes the locations using his own experience as the backdrop, filling in a little historical narrative to each point of interest.
“There was a missing bridge to veterans, especially with the pandemic,” Embrich said. “With everybody thinking about travel and what they’re going to do when things opened back up, I thought the travel guide may be a good way to reach out to some veterans, who otherwise aren’t being reached out to, in other ways.”
Embrich has included points of interest from near his hometown and beyond in his travel guide.
Embrich’s book was published by veteran-owned published house, Cannon Publishing. A percentage of the sales of each book will go to support veteran organizations including the Gary Sinise Foundation, the GI Go Fund and others.
“March On!” covers famous war memorials like the the Teardrop Memorial at the Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne, which was given to the United States by the Russian government as a memorial to the victims of the September 11 attacks in 2001, and the 1993 World Trade Center bombing.
Michael Embrich serves as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Readjustment Committee.
Near the Hudson River Walkway, behind a small shop in Embrich’s hometown, the author points out where the British first landed cannons in New Jersey during the Revolutionary War. At the same site, an alleged spy of George Washington was executed.
“Bayonne’s a big part of the book,” Embrich said. “Bayonne has three medal of honor recipients, which is very unique for a small town. We’ve had higher than normal casualty rates in the Vietnam War, as well as World War II.”
Embrich wrote his travel guide while sheltering in place at home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Another popular section of Embrich’s book covers “secret military bars” that many civilians have likely never heard of. Among them:
- Ear Inn
- McP’s Irish Pub & Grill
- Grit’s Bar NOLA
- The Old Miami
- Tankie’s Tavern
- VFW Post 76
- Garryowen Club
Learn more about these featured spots in Embrich’s book in the video below.