About The Series

The Fighting Hawks Series is dedicated to the author's step-son, Lance Corporal Christopher B. Cosgrove III who was killed in Iraq on October 1, 2006.  He left behind his father, step-mother, two brothers, Kevin and Brian, as well as his mother, step-father, fiancee Jessica and extended family. 

Christopher loved history and he loved the military.  He believed it was important to serve his country and he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves when he was a junior at Monmouth University.  After graduation from college, Christopher volunteered to go to Iraq in November, 2005.  After training at 29 Palms, he was deployed to Iraq in March, 2006. In June 2006, Christopher was assigned to a checkpoint in Al Anbar Province.  As his deployment was coming to an end, Christopher volunteered to stay behind to train the incoming Marines.  Less than one week before he headed home, Christopher was killed by a suicide bomber at the checkpoint.  When he was returned to us at Dover Air Force Base, we were followed by hawks.  At his wake and funeral, there were hawks circling the flag pole, and as he was being carried into the church, a hawk landed on the steeple. 

After his death, I was working on a history project with my youngest son, Brian, about Egypt and the Sumarians.  I realized that the reason children do not like history is because they are not being taught about anything relevant to them. History to kids is just memorizing places and dates. 

It is with this in mind that I have created an historical fiction series for middle readers, entitled "The Fighting Hawks."  Set in military history class in Marine boot camp, Christopher stares out the window and finds a portal in the blowing American flag that takes him back to the major battles in history.  Christopher, Kevin and Brian, along with Wags, Will and Jack, will fight their way through these famous battles, teaching their readers the significance of these battles and difficulties our soldiers faced along the way.  Historically accurate, the readers will learn American history in an interesting way and learn to value their freedom as well.  While written for 8 to 12 year olds, the books will educate adult readers as well.

Christopher would love to live on teaching children about American history and the struggles and triumphs of the men and women who fought to keep them free.  "Freedom Isn't Free" will take on new meaning after reading The Fighting Hawks books.