James Rick Highsmith, D-5863, recently published “In Search of Christmas,” an illustrated children’s book   that touches on Highsmith’s love of skydiving. In the book, three search-and-rescue dogs from Minnesota embark on a mission to find the true meaning of Christmas for their owners. Along the way, they are asked to help search for a missing skydiver.

Highsmith, who has paraplegia due to a 2008 motorcycle accident, wrote the book in the Emory L. Bennett Veterans Nursing Home in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he resides. Highsmith was a pilot and skydiver by trade prior to his accident. He wanted to include some of his experiences in the book, as well appeal to dog and Christmas lovers everywhere. In Search of Christmas is published by A 2 Z Press and is available at bestlittleonlinebookstore.com, as well as Amazon. It retails for about $12. Proceeds from the sales will help fund the purchase of a wheelchair-accessible van so Highsmith can continue his adventuring.