Mark Carlson, a resident of San Diego has been a lifelong student of military history. Legally blind, he works with advanced software on his computer and travels with a Guide Dog. He has never considered his blindness to be an obstacle, only a challenge.For the past twenty years, Carlson has been a regular contributor to more than a dozen military history publications. In that time, he has written over two hundred articles and interviewed hundreds of veterans, actors, historians, and authors. A former Civil War and Roman re-enactor, Carlson has gained an insight into the world of the fighting man to bring depth and realism into his writing. He is very passionate about history, considering it an obligation to remember the past with respect.His last book, published by Sunbury Press, The Marines Lost Squadron - The Odyssey of VMF-422, was highly acclaimed by respected military historians.His magazine articles run the gamut of topics from aviation, naval, and military history, classic film and television, dogs, humor, and essays. He started by writing stories about his first guide dog, Musket, and later, about his work at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.A former president of a San Diego Toastmasters club, he tours the country doing lectures on history for colleges and adult education programs. A popular speaker for several national military museums and groups, he is a member of several veteran and historical organizations.