The Lazarus Covenant - Available Now!

Mar 6, 2009
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http://johnfenzel.vox.com/library/pos...

An explosive international thriller in the tradition of Gerald Seymore and John LeCarre, The Lazarus Covenant explores the scourge of extremism, terrorism and war in a haunting tale of friendship, faith and forgiveness. Writing from his own experiences, John Fenzel relates this story authentically in dramatic settings that extend from the Oval Office to the Balkans, all in a time of extreme crisis.

The Lazarus Covenant - Available Now!

Mar 6, 2009
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The Lazarus Covenant

International Suspense Thriller, The Lazarus Covenant, Available Now for Pre-Order!

I started writing The Lazarus Covenant after my first deployment to Bosnia in 1997. At the time, I was commanding a Special Forces company in Sarajevo. My fellow soldiers and I were involved in many situations throughout Bosnia and the Balkans that made an enduring impression on me-our Special Forces teams were frequently being attacked with car bombs, satchel charges, RPGs, knives and clubs. When we weren't being attacked, we were often under the threat of an attack.

In the midst of this turbulence, at the invitation of a good friend who was then a prosecutor for the war crimes tribunal, I drove to Vukovar, Croatia and saw the destruction from the war there. At the time, I recall thinking that it looked like Dresden after the fire bombings during WWII. I returned from that visit with a new outlook on humanity, having seen the worst of what we are capable of doing to one another-- and it reinforced for me the moral imperative we all have to stop ethnic cleansing, genocide and war crimes wherever they occur. That notion was underscored again as we assisted in uncovering the mass graves from the Srebrenica massacre. In these war zones, Special Forces teams must deal with everyone--the good, the bad and the ugly, and Bosnia was certainly no exception. On more than several occasions, I would find myself in the same room, drinking coffee with officials who I suspected were responsible for these atrocities! To arrest them, however, the grave exhumations and investigations had to be completed.

Returning from Bosnia, I was often asked by friends and family to describe what it was like there. I found it difficult to adequately explain. How do you explain what it's like to pull bodies out of a mass grave in 100 degree heat? Or to be under attack by people you're there to help? Or to be searching for information and intelligence that could save one, or perhaps, hundreds of lives? Needless to say, all of those experiences defy easy explanation.

I chose a fictional venue to relate how a crisis can unfold in an area like the Balkans. Nearly a decade and a great deal of research later, this novel is the result. Many of the situations described mirror what I witnessed in Eastern and Central Europe. My goal in telling this story was to convey an intriguing plot with realism, fidelity and a host of interesting characters to help readers better understand these crisis spots and the people who inhabit them. My hope is that in some way this novel conveys the need to erase the terrible scourge of hatred and religious extremism, and to work for enduring, long-term solutions to these problems.

Summary of Novel

In Bosnia, the past is prologue for one man who must come to terms with a violent and tragic childhood in order to prevent a renewed Balkan war...and a nuclear holocaust.

In the latter years of Tito's Yugoslavia, two young boys, cousins Marko and Celo come upon a mass execution in progress. As they witness the executions and try to help a near-dead survivor to safety, they are discovered by a Yugoslav Army Officer who attempts to kill them. In a desperate struggle for survival, they fight their way home. Because of his injuries, Celo remains with his father while Marko flees with his aunt to the United States. Both boys remain separated into adulthood%u2026.

Thirty years later, as war threatens to ravage the Balkans again, Marko reluctantly returns to Bosnia as Mark Lyons, the FBI's Special Agent in Charge of the Balkan Region. On the day he arrives in Sarajevo, an American peace envoy is brutally assassinated, and the United Nations High Commissioner asks Mark to investigate.

Sandy Evenson, beautiful, gregarious war crimes prosecutor for The Hague witnesses the assassination. As it unfolds in front of her, she frantically takes photos of the carnage. Mark investigates the scene and soon suspects a cover-up is underway. Ghosts of Mark's Balkan childhood return when Sandy's photos are developed%u2026.

News of the assassination quickly arrives at a White House desperate to avoid another Balkan War. In the Situation Room, the Commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command, Lieutenant General John Thorpe is informed that stolen plutonium is in the hands of an Islamic Jihadist group in Bosnia, and he is sent to Bosnia to determine if the two incidents are connected.

At its foundation, The Lazarus Covenant is a story of profound personal transformation. In their own unique ways, war crimes prosecutor Sandy Evenson, Serb war criminal Celo, and General John Thorpe each force Lyons to confront his own demons, his own humanity, and a deadly religious sect assigned the mission of protecting the Vatican from catastrophic threats.

Pre-Order Your Copy Today at: http://www.JohnFenzel.com/lazarus.html

The Lazarus Covenant

Mar 6, 2009
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LazarusCovenantTrailer

Author's Notes: Planning a Scene

Dec 12, 2008
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As we prepare to release my first novel, The Lazarus Covenant, in several weeks, my thoughts have returned to the days and weeks I first began work on it. I recently found some notes that I typed up as I drove through Bosnia's hinterlands. I found that it was a good construct to help me get my thoughts together and ensure good flow as I continued to write. The Lazarus Covenant isn't a simple story, so keeping the details straight was crucial throughout. After you read the summary/outline for the Prologue below, you can go to my website to read an entire excerpt and even see some photos of the setting described. The outline doesn't exactly follow the final version of the prologue, but ultimately, that's what writing is all about--maintaining the flow (and keeping up the momentum!).

Prologue Sequence and Summary:

Quote from Rebecca West:

"Indeed, it is true that in these acts of revenge on others, men take it upon themselves to begin the process of repealing those general laws of humanity which are there to give a hope of salvation to all who are in distress, instead of leaving those laws in existence, remembering that there may come a time when they, too, will be in danger and will need their protection."

--Thucydides, The Peloponnesian War: 431-404 BC, II 81-85.

SCENE AND SETTING

TIME: 1630-1930, June 28, 1971 (St Vitus Day)

PLACE: Dulici and Brinica Dam, Bosnia-Herzegovina province of Yugoslavia

SEASON: Summer

TEMPERATURE: Hot, Humid

OBJECTS IN THE SETTING: Ceramic Dam, Burnt Car in middle of the road, approaching the Dam. Bull-Dozer, Sentries, Fire

LANDSCAPE DETAIL: Dramatic Hills, high ground overlooking Zvornik, red lake created by dam from Bauxite and Aluminum plant in Zvornik.

LIGHTING: Darkening conditions as afternoon turns to evening.

WEATHER: Clear...rain clouds approaching and then evening downpour.

ARRIVAL: 1730

WARDROBE AND MAKEUP: Mustached and blue-uniformed Yugoslav Special Policemen

SENSE PERCEPTION:

-Sight: Heavily wooded in parts. Dam hidden from the road (2 Km's away)

PROLOGUE SEQUENCE AND DESCRIPTION:

28 June 1971, Brnisi, Bosnia-Herzegovina (night time):

Maja and Milan Mescic (Mom and Dad) are introduced. Father is a Serb professor. During dinner, Maja tells her boys to be home and to stay close to home... They manage to sneak out their father's rifle and Makarov pistol. both Celo and Marko are hunting atop some ancient Roman ruins, are tracking a boar and hear shots being fired...the same shots Maja had heard across the creek in the Direction of Brinisi Dam the previous day. ... At the urging of Cello (and despite Marko's reluctance), the boys decide to go there since the boar tracks go in that direction.

SCENE CONTINUED

Executions of Bosnian Dissidents at Brinica Dam by Tito's Special Police:

-Taste: Both boys are thirsty...stopping at a remote stream they see the trucks and a Police Van. Prisoners are off-loaded from the trucks.

-Touch/feeling: Sweat in eyes from humidity of the day. Oppressive heat.

-Smell: Decomposing bodies in the heat. Human excrement and urine from bodies. Smells like a farm.

CORPSES: 150-- 15 delivered to site and executed at a time.

EVIDENCE: Shell-casings, bone fragments, clothing, unearthed dirt

STRUGGLE: Prisoners do not resist, because they are tied up and their mouths bound with cloth. Sentries killed by boys, and Chief Executioner hit when they are discovered.

DEATH INSTRUMENTS: Machine Guns and pistols used by executioners (Makarov, AKM, AK-47s, MG-3).

WOUNDS: Mostly fatal.

PROLOGUE SUMMARY OF EVENTS

Executions of Bosnian Dissidents at Brinica Dam by Tito's Special Police. The Chief Executioner stands out. Younger Marko (13) and Celo (15) (Both mixed Bosnian Serb-Croats fromSapna) witness the executions and recognize a neighbor of theirs that disappeared a week ago. They dare not move for risk of being discovered. Cello is deeply disturbed. After what appears to be the last of a series of executions, it is turning dark. The executioners depart. Marko sees one of the bodies in the mass grave moving and tells his brother that they should help him. Celo tells him it is too dangerous and points to the sentry along the gravel road and to the guard house on top of the dam site. Marko tells his brother to cover him with thier father's rifle--while he goes down. Marko goes down to the grave and sees the bodies, the personal effects, ID’s, photographs, etc.. All goes well until another truck arrives, shines light on the mass grave. Marko and the wounded man are silhouetted by the headlights. When Marko slides down the dam causing rocks to fall below, they are detected by both sentries who pursue he and the wounded man. Shots are fired in their direction. Marko fires at and hits the guard on top and below. The Chief Executioner is young but distinctive in his appearance of authority. He is approaching Marko deliberately, looking straight in his direction and intimidates Marko with his steady, fearless approach--seemingly dodging Marko's shots until Marko runs out of ammunition. The Chief Executioner sees Marko, who freezes where he lays. As he takes final aim at Marko, he is shot from the side by Celo with the Makarov, hitting him in the shoulder, and giving the two boys and the wounded man an opportunity to escape. The wounded men tell the boys to run, not to worry about him-that he is "already dead."

They run home, narrowly escape being captured and shot themselves.

DEPARTURE: 1930

Marko is sent out of the country with his mother who is a Croat. Cello stays with their father (a Serb) because they will be looking for two boys, and because they don't have enough money. They last see each other atop some ancient Roman ruins, where they are met by the mafia/underground. Maja and Marko are taken out of the country.

Dad is a Serb university teacher, and a leading reformist intellectual in Yugoslavia and is teaching a class in Bijeljina. Simultaneously, the police find the rifle hidden. They meet him at his home when he returns. Celo escapes from his transporters and arrives just in time to see his father's execution by the young 25 year old executioner/special policeman...after he tells the Special Police that his family went to Dubrovnik several days ago.

Appreciations:

A very young Marko and Cello witness Tito's mass executions at Brinica Dam, causing them to lose their innocence. The Special Police find and identify Mescic's hunting rifle and see that it was recently fired. Vojo Saric is killed outside his home, and is witnessed by Celo.

Marko and Cello playing in the Roman Ruins as children.

Objective Story: Signpost 1 -- Learning

Character and Plot Dynamics: Driver -- Action

SUMMARY: The distant bookend in the beginning of the story is the mass execution at Brinica Dam by Tito's Special Police that is witnessed by the two brothers Marko and Celo. Cello's rash action at the site, after being discovered by the executioners leads to their family's split. Both Cello and Marko see the face of the chief executioner. The chief executioner pursues the boys...only finds their father and kills him in front of Cello after telling him "thou shalt not kill." Celo does not forget, and always regrets not having intervened when he felt he could have.

PLANNING:

Count the steps to the killing place.

RESEARCH/HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE:

1971: End of "Croatian Spring" Many students and intellectuals are jailed and Party in Croatia is purged of "rotten liberalism." Executions are not widespread, but occur nonetheless—execution orders were not personally signed by Tito (so he could think that possibly they didn’t happen, or if discovered he wouldn’t be found responsible). In 1967, a series of amendments to the constitution were adopted. The most important one was the division of matters of state security between the federal government and the republics. The army was slowly shrinking from 500,000 in 1952 to about 200,000 in 1968. Territorieal defense forces, under republican control, also were created at this time. These TDF forces were not incorporated into JNA command structures. The period of 1971-1974 was one of intense constitutional reform. Amendments in 1971 radically reduced the authority of the federal government. Day-to-day running of the country basically fell to the republics (Burg, 204-207). In the fall of 1968 riots broke out among the Albanian population in Kosovo and Macedonia. The Albanians were demanding self-determination and secession from Yugoslavia. In response, the government elevated Kosovo and Vojvodina to the status of Autonomous Provinces. Minority language rights were also guaranteed. Riots again broke out in Kosovo in March 1981. There are reports that between 10 and 20,000 people took part in demonstrations and that as many as 1,000 were killed and another 1,000 injured in clashes with the police. The federal government sent in tanks, armored personnel carriers, cut off telephone service, imposed a curfew and set up roadblocks. Between 1980 and 1981 about 680 fires were started by arson in Kosovo. violent demonstrations continued through 1982. Other political happenings during this time included the Croatian Spring of 1971 (Ramet, 108-139, Jelavic, 395-397). The Croatian Communist Party was purged and it is believed that thousands received prison sentences. Also in 1971, “Muslim” became an ethnic choice on the national census and in the 1970’s groups of Musllims were sent to prison for expressing what were considered to be fundamentalist ideas.

Squidoo Lens of the Day!

Nov 9, 2008
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Dear President Elect...

This week, my Squidoo Lens on Presidential Transitions was named “Lens of the Day.” The official notice is attached below. If you’re at all interested in what is involved with transitioning a presidential administration, this lens may be a good place to start! Keep checking back…much more commentary to add in the coming days and weeks!

Here is the link: www.squidoo.com/transitioningthepresidency

**The Presidential Transitions lens was selected by Squidoo as the "Lens of the Day" on election day, with the following commentary:**

http://www.squidoo.com/transitioningthepresidency

At the time of this posting (3:40pm PST on November 4th, 2008) we don't know who will win the election. We will soon. Any chad-catastrophes aside, either Obama or McCain will wake up tomorrow, on the morning of November 5th, with the knowledge that precious weeks later he will step into the Oval Office.

Regardless of who wins, this lens by the ever industrious, illustrious lensmaster John Fenzel should be an interesting read.

He writes:

"When a candidate for President of the United States wakes up the morning after the election, what are the realities he or she faces? This lens attempts to convey the enormous challenges that confront a president-elect in the lead up to Inauguration Day."

Media Advisory

Aug 28, 2008
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Gold Standard: Army Soldiers Achieve Mission of Earning Olympic Gold Medals in Beijing

Elite Army Marksmen Return to Hometowns with Olympic Gold

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Army Strong Soldiers, Private First Class Vincent Hancock and Specialist Glenn Eller, are proudly returning to their hometowns to announce the successful accomplishment of their mission that has been years in the making. Their assignment: bring home a gold medal from the Beijing Olympics. Both Soldiers are members of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit (AMU) based out of Fort Benning, Ga.

"Representing the United States is the ultimate honor. And to represent it in the Olympic games and to win a gold medal and to raise the flag for your country and then as well do it for the Army - there is no greater honor," Eller said.

Spc. Eller will show off his gold medal at celebrations in his home state of Texas over the Labor Day weekend, including a barbecue bash in Houston on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Eatonton, Ga. will declare Friday, Aug. 29 Vincent Hancock Day and honor his achievement with a parade through his hometown. Pfc. Hancock will also be presented with a coveted key to the city on Saturday, Aug. 30.

"I’m very proud to be able to represent the Army and my country which is why I’m dedicating my gold medal to my fellow Soldiers. This is my mission and I’ve succeeded," said Hancock.

Hancock says winning the gold medal in a sudden death shoot off was like a dream come true and everything he imagined it would be. He is the youngest of his AMU teammates at 19.

"I've dreamt of going to the Olympics ever since I was 12, but I never really thought I would do it. The Army has given me the confidence I needed to make it go from a dream to reality," Hancock said.

Hancock has distinguished himself in skeet shooting since he started competing at age 11. By 16, the Eatonton, Ga., native was competing internationally. He earned accolades including USA Shooting's "Shooter of the Year" in 2006. After graduating from Gatewood High School in Georgia, Hancock enlisted in the Army and was assigned to the AMU in 2007.

Eller set an Olympic record en route to winning his first Olympic gold medal in double trap, earning a score of 190 in the finals to top the previous record of 189. In the event, competitors fire their 12-guage shotguns at five different stations, where two targets are thrown simultaneously from an underground bunker at speeds upwards of 50 mph at set angles and heights.

The 26-year-old from Katy, Texas credits the Army with giving him the edge he needed during his third Olympic appearance.

"I started shooting when I was eight, and I've had a lot of success over the years, but I came in 12th in Sydney and 17th in Athens. Since I joined [the Army] in 2006, I've had nothing but the best training facilities and the absolute best teammates to push and support me," Eller said. "It makes such a huge difference, and I truly believe they've helped me fulfill a dream. I don't think this would've ever happened without them."

The athletes’ were welcomed back home to Fort Benning, GA by their large, proud Army family.

"The Army asked these young men to go and represent their military and the United States, and they certainly made us proud," said AMU commander Lieutenant Colonel Frank Muggeo.

Lt. Col. Muggeo is not just proud of their performance, but of their composure afterwards.

"They didn’t act like they've never won before, or they never expect to be there again - they were professional," he said. "Although when we spoke seven hours later, each still had the grin on their face that was present at the medal ceremony."

The future road for these Army Soldiers could be lined with more gold according to three-time Olympic Army marksman Lones Wigger Jr. The 70-year-old retired Army Lt. Col. won two Olympic gold medals and one silver medal during his shooting career. He was also inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame this year.

"It was a tremendous honor to be the first shooter entering the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame," Wigger said. "I know that Spc. Eller and Pfc. Hancock have the same Army training and discipline to help them fulfill their wildest dreams too."

Wigger says another honor awaits Eller and Hancock when they are eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame at the AMU. They will join 22 other Soldiers who medaled in shooting events at the Olympics since the unit was established in 1956.

To learn more about the U.S. Army athletes and training, visit

www.usamu.com, www.armyathletesolympians.com or http://www.goarmy.com/events/army_athletes/athletes.jsp

.

CONTACT: To arrange interviews or visits with AMU Olympians, call: (706) 545-1272 /4018

Eller’s Gold...

Aug 24, 2008
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This past weekend, I travelled to Atlanta to welcome Army Marksmanship Unit Soldier-Olympian, Specialist Glenn Eller, home from Beijing in the wake of his Gold Medal victory in Double Trap. We could not be more proud of all of our AMU Olympians. SPC Eller and PFC Vincent Hancock, who also won a Gold medal in Skeet, now transition into an ambassadorial role not only for the Army, but for their respective sports. Here are some photos of SPC Eller's homecoming....

Last Post from Beijing...

Aug 24, 2008
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THE END AND THE BEGINNING

August 17th, 2008 - 9:05 am | Posted by fmuggeo

The 2008 Olympics are over for the Soldiers of the United States Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU). Six Soldiers ranging in rank from PFC to MAJ competed in Beijing and ended up winning 2 Gold medals. These Soldiers will eventually be inducted into the Hall of Fame at the USAMU and join 21 other Soldiers that have represented their Nation in shooting events at the Olympics and won medals. Once they return they start right back up again, everything from Mobile Training Teams, the Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course (BNCOC), to training for the next shooting event. PFC Hancock and SPC Eller told there families goodbye for awhile because on top of the things listed above they will be traveling around the country thanking Americans for supporting them and the other Soldiers. SPC Eller says it best, "I never would have made it here without the Army". Eller leaves for BNCOC soon and I am sure he will excel there as well. Keep up with these Soldiers at www.usamu.com or at www.goarmy.com .

PFC Vincent Hancock wins GOLD in Skeet!!!

Aug 24, 2008
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Make that Two Golds...

August 16th, 2008 - 12:45 pm | Posted by fmuggeo

PFC Vincent Hancock pulled off a great, if not dramatic, win for the second AMU Olympic gold medal in 2008! Leading by one shot into the finals he fired a 24 out of 25, the second placed competitor shot 25 out of 25. The Norwegian that tied him had to shoot first and he shot both targets clean. Hancock followed with a perfect pair as well. SPC Jeff Holguin's father said, "Everyone get comfortable, this could go on for awhile". Luckily the Norwegian dropped one of his next two and Hancock was perfect on his pair, proving again that the 19 yr old is solid in pressure situations.

Afterwards Hancock said, "I just got really mad when I missed that one and that was the end of it. I knew I wouldn't miss again" During the press conference that followed Hancock spoke with pride about his brother who recently returned from his second tour in Iraq and is also stationed at Ft Benning GA. The respect that each Soldier has for each other is obvious. PFC Hancock is the youngest of 23 United States Army Marksmanship Unit Olympic medal winners.

Tomorrow SFC Jason Parker shoots in the final shooting event of the 2008 Olympics. He will be competing against a tough field of 3 Position International Rifle Shooters.

Frank Muggeo with Army Olympians in Beijing: PRESSURE

Aug 24, 2008
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PFC Vincent Hancock is positive. His bride is positive, his friends and family are positive and so is everyone else around him. They are positive he is going to win a medal in the Skeet event. The way he is shooting after day one, the color of the medal may be gold. He has a long way to go but he is in the lead by one shot.

The skeet event is a total of 150 shots, 125 in the preliminary and 25 in the final. Today Hancock shot 73 out of 75 and has a one shot lead- something he has to try and sleep on tonight. Tomorrow they shoot 50 more in the preliminary and those that move forward to the finals shoot 25 more.

All targets aren't weighted equally. Mr. Gary Anderson, Olympic official, said, "He is about one third of the way there." The pressure that builds with each step makes those final targets real hard to hit. Having won multiple gold medals as a member of the USAMU, Gary should know.

This is already one of the best years for the USA in shooting in decades, but there is still more on the table. Tomorrow we find out if 19 year old PFC Hancock can add to that.