Mike O'Donnell mentions during his family's get together to celebrate his beloved Jo's life that his son Matt was a hero, too. Well, he certainly was as we are about to find out. Soaring With Eagles takes place in relatively the same time as Five Love Stories en Brochette, The Redhead and the PM, and Love's Shame, Love's Salvation. Matthew O'Donnell decides rather early on that he wants to go to the Air Force Academy. Of course he is accepted on his own merit; however, since his father is a Medal of Honor recipient, it makes it just that much easier to be admitted. There are some hardships involved. Matt and Katia (Kat) Essegian are deeply in love, and they will have to wait four years to get married. At the Air Force Academy Matt meets many lifelong to be friends. One is Fred Bilitnikov and the other is Angelo Bellini, two best friends who grew up across the road from each other in Napa Valley near Yountville, California. Their parents are in the grape growing and wine making business..Angelo has a secret he has kept hidden from most, and after two years drops out of the Academy to never be seen again. Matt and Katia realize why he left; however, as several put it, Fred doesn't have a clue. Their lives go on, and Matt and Fred graduate with honors: Matt to go off to learn the Security Forces business, and Fred to be a pilot flying C-130s. All the friends keep in contact; however, Fred isn't happy about the physical disappearance of his best friend. After several years, Fred and Matt and Kat are stationed together at Aviano Air Base in Northern Italy. The O'Donnell's have started a family, but Fred is still a bachelor, and he is still upset about his best friend that he hasn't seen in six years. Then, a new pilot shows up at Aviano. Her name is Angela Bellini. Matt and Kat are not surprised; however, Fred is flabbergasted. It isn't going to be easy, but friendship is a strong force, and sometimes friendship can turn into something else.Gays can finally be out in the US military. That change was only decades overdue. However, those who are transgender may not serve in the US Military because being transgender is described as a mental disorder. Some waited to come out after they retired. Others were dismissed from the service when their situations were revealed. Other services in other countries have allowed transgender to serve for many years. That brings us to Angela. In this universe, she is the first to be legally in the United States Military. She will have a difficult time with the 'old school'. Can she overcome bigotry and misogyny? We'll have to see. And what did Matt do to become a hero?Also read "The Heart of the Holder", "The Narragansett Fork", "Musetta's Waltz", "Who is Sylvia", "Five Love Stories en Brochette", "The Redhead and the PM", "St. George and the Dragon", and "Love's Shame, Love's Salvation."
