March 27, 2026 at 11:37 a.m.

Whatever happened to those in the platoon?

Vietnam Veteran’s Day is March 29

When we first introduced Christy Sauro, Jr. to Press readers it was 2006. He was a busy insurance agent facilitating policies out of his office in the very epicenter of Wyoming,  and was a familiar personality around here.  

He had just finished a 15 year labor of love, writing the story of the Twins Platoon, which profiled a large group of service members  from the Vietnam conflict 60 years before.  The book was an amazingly fluid read and in third person so to avoid sounding self-centered.

Sauro maintains that one of the best things to come out of doing that book was the relationships he rekindled and the re-connections it triggered.  All the subjects were dialed in and supportive and honored to have the story told.

The platoon members were given their oath of service at the open air Metropolitan Stadium prior to the start of a Twins game June 28, 1967, hence the name Twins Platoon.  They were on their way to boot camp by the middle of the game. By the end of the year many were Marines in Vietnam.

They say the more things change the more they stay the same and  as Vietnam Veterans’ Day, March 29, 2026 approaches — the book’s message that it isn’t the warrior who is to blame in times of war couldn’t be more timely. The guys and a handful of women, were caught up in the times and the decisions by policymakers and did the best they could.

While the U.S. was mired in Iraq when Twins Platoon book one came out, now the U.S. is in Iran as Sauro’s second book is becoming known.  The Legacy of the Twins Platoon combines all the text of the original story and 20 years beyond.

Legacy was reviewed in the March 2026 edition of the Marines’ own monthly publication, Leatherneck. (They recommend it.) It is to be included in the new Minnesota Military Museum. It was voted into the MCRD Command Museum permanent collection

So when Sauro was wondering how he’d fill his days after the first Twins Platoon story was completed he need not have worried, he’s been busy since.  

The Legacy of the Twins Platoon has generated interest in the platoon members’ lives and the book is a hot pick in the literary world. Sauro was presented with the Literary Titan Gold Book Award this past February.

Sauro states he had hoped reading the books creates empathy, some understanding and compassion for what the platoon went through and for all who served in general. 

He is being interviewed on podcasts, and the North Branch Trinity Lutheran Church book club  hosted him recently.  He was scheduled to be at an event at Clover Community Church in Hinckley March 24 for a discussion and book signing. 

You will find contact information on his website if you have a gathering or an event in mind. 

Sauro forthrightly talks about the effect that service in Vietnam  imposed on his spirituality and the evolution he went through as  a warrior who really just wanted to be a good person.  The Marines chapter of  his life tested his faith.  There is a passage describing how it occurred to him that it would be easier to abandon belief— than accept that you committed sins.  In convincing himself he didn’t believe, he wouldn’t have to worry about damnation and a miserable eternity.  To understand how he came to resolve this, as they say,   you will have to read the book.



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