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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Author Jack Strunk will be in town to discuss his life’s story

 (Laredo, TX )  When earlier this year, the city of Laredo was bashed by a non-native former Laredoan with a naive and ill-informed post on the social media website YouTube, it was the unlikeliest of persons who came to Laredo’s defense and became a hero across the community. Jack Strunk, a non-native former Laredoan, who now lives in

Lancaster, Kentucky, came to the defense of his former adopted hometown, in an eloquent, heartfelt, and accurate description of our city, also posting his response on You Tube.

 Aside from hero and defender of Laredo, Honorary Laredoan Strunk’s other claim to fame is as an author and as an inspiration, having overcome adversity to live a new life and share that passion for living through his book entitled, “Surviving My Life: the Jack Strunk Story.” 

 Strunk will be coming to Laredo next month to kick-off the Laredo Public Library’s Summer Author Lecture Series to discuss his book, his life and his beloved Laredo.  On Thursday, June 7, at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 9, at 2:00 p.m., Jack Strunk will make appearances at the Laredo Public Library, HEB Multi-Purpose Room, 1120 E. Calton Road, to discuss his life, his book.  

 “I am so proud that we are able to bring this gentleman, this hero, to Laredo to discuss his life story and how he has overcome the obstacles in his life,” said District I Council Member Mike Garza, who was part of an entourage of citizens who flew to visit him in Kentucky and thank him for his unsolicited and quick words defending Laredo.

 “Strunk is one of the bravest, humble and most honest individuals I have had the pleasure to meet, and despite the incredible challenges he has to go through daily, he still found time to express his sincere reflections of our city, to defend our Laredo, in a way that further united our community after Laredo was verbally massacred, with such vitriol and prejudice.  It was his quiet and unassuming manner that calmed the community and I think this attitude is what has served him well to survive his challenges.  I encourage the community to read his book and come out and meet this amazing individual,” he concluded.   

 There are currently approximately 50 copies of the book available for check-out at the library; however, one does not need to have read the book to attend the lecture.  The book will be available for sale in the weeks leading up to and at both presentations.   The presentations are free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be served. For more information about the presentation or the book, please contact Pam Burrell at 795-2400, x2268 or via e-mail at pa*@la***********.org " target="_blank"> pa*@la***********.org . 

 According to Amazon.com:  “Here is help for those who have suffered from a succession of devastating injuries and defeats in life. ‘In Surviving My Life: The Jack Strunk Story,’one can find the keys for finding hope and happiness in spite of life’s catastrophes and injustices. This riveting account of Jack Strunk’s courage in the face of impossible odds is inspirational, heartbreaking, and humorous.  On February 8, 2004 Jack Strunk’s life was nearly ended in a horrific crash at a Texas dragstrip. Jack’s story is the remarkable account of how one man has moved beyond survival to spiritual prosperity in spite of tremendous personal loss.”

 The book was written in partnership with Strunk’s pastor, Gary Michael Greer.  Greer is an ordained Baptist Minister and has a Ph.D. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Mike currently resides with his wife in Frankfort, Kentucky, and pastors a Baptist church in Kentucky.

 In mid-February, Cm. Garza traveled to Kentucky with State Representative Richard Peña Raymond; District Attorney Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz; Judy Walker; Dr. Oscar Perez; Melo Villarreal, representing Francisco Ochoa of Taco Palenque to not only thank Strunk, but also to, among other things, deliver some Tao Palenque food, proclaim Strunk to be an honorary lifelong Laredoan and proclaim Monday, February 20, 2012 as Jack Strunk Day in Laredo.