Under a wide sky, where the hum of a radio carries familiar voices, Dana J. Bahan, a Vietnam War veteran, sat down to write his story. Not with fanfare, but with the steady strength of words on a page. His book, Dreams from Our Fathers, may not be shouted from rooftops, but it carries a quiet power. In a recent interview, he shared what fueled his writing, the challenges he faced, and his hope for an America renewed by faith, freedom, and humility.
The Making of Dana
Dana’s journey to becoming an author began with the things that shape his earlier days of life. He listens to conservative talk radio, letting the ideas settle in his mind. He reads books like Original Intent by historian David Barton, which explores America’s founding, and pages through magazines like Israel My Glory. Writings about Messianic Jews, who blend Christian faith with Jewish roots, have also caught his interest. Above all, his faith in Jesus Christ guides him. “I wanted to share His (Jesus Christ) truth, not just my opinions,” he says, explaining how he echoed the scripture in his book to ground his message.
His service in Vietnam, where he fought for his country, left a deep mark. “Fighting for freedom, for our nation and another’s, was important,” he says. That experience flows into his book, where he urges readers to stand firm in their beliefs. He’s concerned that too few Christians vote, estimating maybe only 30% went to the polls in recent elections. He wants people of faith to pay attention to the world and to the changes around them. He calls those changes “woke culture”.
A Book That Speaks To Everyone
Dana wrote Dreams from Our Fathers for everyone, not just those who share his faith. “I try to speak truth in love, without being offensive,” he says. He hopes his words start conversations, even with those who don’t believe in God. The idea of standing up for truth, as he did as a soldier, runs deep in his book. It’s a call to hold fast to what matters, no matter who’s reading.
A Journey Worth The Hustle
Writing wasn’t easy for Dana. He’d never written a book before, and the process was full of unknowns. “Knowing how to write a book was all new to me,” he says. He also faced setbacks with dishonest publishers who took his money without delivering. “I went with cheaper routes, and that got me in trouble,” he admits. The hardest part was crafting his points to be clear and kind, reaching people with different views. “You have to speak truth in love,” he says, wanting his words to invite thought, not push people away.
The rewards made the struggle worthwhile. Dana lights up when he talks about giving away copies of his book. “When people compliment it, that’s rewarding,” he says. He’s shared it with friends, family, and strangers, hoping they’ll remember America’s roots. He believes the nation was forged by people of faith who united for freedom, despite their differences. “They called God ‘nature’s God,’” he says, pointing to the founding fathers’ shared belief in a higher power. His book is a gentle reminder of that unity and the humility behind it.
A Call To Revival
Dana sees the world as “fallen,” a place where people have turned from God. But he holds onto hope. He believes America needs a revival, a return to faith with humble hearts. He looks to Abraham Lincoln, who called for humility during the Civil War, as an example. “People were drifting from God, and he saw that,” he says. His book carries this hope, urging readers to rely on something greater. “It’s not just our own wisdom,” he says. “It comes from humility.”
Learning and Growing As A Writer
Writing taught Dana new lessons. He feels the world is “crying for truth,” and he sees it as his duty to share it. He’s also learned to follow Jesus’ example, serving others with love, not judgment. “He showed us how to serve,” he says. There were moments he nearly gave up, especially when publishers let him down. “It’s been a challenge,” he says. But the chance to share his views on faith and America’s heritage kept him going. Handing out books and hearing kind words from readers made every hurdle worth it.
A Vision for The Future
Dana’s already working on his next book, America’s First Love, which focuses on revival and speaks more to people of faith. “It talks about revival a lot,” he says. He’s even open to writing fiction someday, using stories to point to truth. “I’m not sure if I’ll keep writing, but I may,” he says. His goal is to reach as many people as possible, offering gentle ideas that encourage reflection. For new writers, he suggests learning the digital world, which he finds tough himself. “It’s been a challenge for me,” he admits. He also urges authors to tackle big questions, like why we’re here and what God wants.
Dana wants his book to be a “blueprint for America,” rooted in scripture and the wisdom of leaders like George Washington. He believes people of faith should shape the world with kindness, not judgment. “We need to show kindness, even to those who aren’t kind,” he says. He also calls for careful choices in leaders, looking at their character, not just their party. “Washington warned that trusting one party can lead to corruption,” he says. His message is clear: America’s heart lies in Christian values, and straying, through secularism or other ideas, could lead it off course.
A Message of Hope and Truth
Storytelling matters to Dana, especially for young people. “It can be good or bad,” he says. “It needs to be guided by scripture, but even non-Christians can tell stories about good things.” He’s concerned about cultural trends he sees as wrong, especially for younger generations. But he’s encouraged by hope, like a 22% rise in Bible purchases among Gen Z. “That gives us hope for revival,” he says, believing young people are searching for meaning.
At its core, Dana’s hope is to inspire. “We need to make our Creator God great again in our lives, our schools, and our government,” he says. It’s a choice, he believes, grounded in humility and faith. His path from soldier to author shows what it means to hold true to your beliefs, even when it’s hard. Dreams from Our Fathers is a book for anyone who cares about faith, freedom, and the future. As Dana works on his next book, his story reminds us that a single voice, speaking simply and sincerely, can touch many lives.
About The Author
Dana J. Bahan is a semi-retired Air Force veteran who served in law enforcement during the Vietnam War. A small-town enthusiast, he enjoys writing, fishing, billiards, and time with neighbors. With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biblical theology, physical education, and American history, he worked as a recreation sports director and chaplain at private schools and children’s homes. A former high school and college baseball player, Dana’s faith and love for America’s heritage shine in his writing.
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