By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

COLUMBIANA – Chris Stricklin has been to multiple locations around the world as an active duty Air Force colonel and fighter pilot that have surely left a lasting mark on his life, but now he has the opportunity to impact others with the publishing of his book “Stories Around the Table: Laughter, Wisdom and Strength in Military Life.”

A graduate of Shelby County High School and an Alabama native, Stricklin is currently stationed in Turkey. He has served tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iceland and many other locations around the world.

Stricklin and more than 40 military families haven taken the time to share their personal stories and lessons learned from their military life experience in the book.

Stricklin knew he would miss his 20th anniversary with his wife, Terri Stricklin, while overseas serving in Afghanistan. Stricklin wanted to make it up to her by writing a book and discussing how great their marriage is while incorporating heartfelt insight on many aspects of military life including friendship, depression, romance in military marriage, caring for children with special needs in a mobile lifestyle, renewing relationships after deployment, career challenges for spouses, changing schools, post-traumatic stress, faith, grief and more.

“Authoring this piece meant a lot to me,” said Stricklin. “At the time, I was based in Afghanistan…8,000 miles from my family and approaching my 20th anniversary. This was my effort to make up in some small way for leaving her once again as a single mom and this time missing our 20th anniversary. I also felt it was a phenomenal opportunity to put pen to paper and discuss what made our marriage great. Too many articles are written on the negative implications of the transient military lifestyle but I wanted to acknowledge the positive as well.”Stricklin is also a certified manager with degrees in economics, financial planning, strategic studies and operational art and science. He authored a negotiation primer which was subsequently published and adopted as required Air Force Pentagon new action officer orientation. He and his wife, Terri, have 4 children.The book is set to publish Oct. 1 by Elva Resa Publishing