Gala kickoff event for ‘Resolve’
More than 250 people turned out for the official launch of Resolve on Nov. 12 at the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis.
“I’ve written 15 books and never seen a launch party as big and lively as this one,” said Resolve author Bob Welch, who came from his home in Eugene, Oregon, for the event. “It was truly an honor to be part of this.”
Beyond food, beverages and book-signing, the evening included remarks by Welch; the four sons of Clay Conner Jr., the subject of the book: Clay III, Jack, Jim and Tom; historians Doug Clanin and Wayne Sanford; and a grandson-in-law of Clay’s, Todd Hufford.
“Tonight is the fruition of a dream Clay Conner had nearly 70 years ago,” Welch told the audience. “It was long his desire to write about what he called his ‘epic adventure’ on Luzon when he eluded the Bataan Death march and survived in the jungles for 34 months. I’m honored that, with the help of so many, I could help make that happen.”
Earlier in the day, Welch joined the Conner family for a remembrance of Clay Conner Jr., who died in 1983, at the Crown Hill Cemetery.
A book-signing at the Clearwater Crossing Barnes & Noble at noon drew nearly 100 people eager to be among the first to purchase the book that author Mike Yorkey likens to a cross between Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken” and Robinson Crusoe.
