Never Forget: A Veteran's Journey for Redemption & Forgiveness

by Andy Adkins

In 2001, Vietnam War veteran Tom Reilly lives with a haunted past he has struggled to forget. His father, Ed, has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Though they have not spoken for years, Tom visits Ed at a retirement community for the first time in 25 years—the fighting continues, but the healing begins. Tom has tried to live a simple life. After the tragic death of his wife years earlier, he is left to raise his son alone. Chris has never met his grandfather. Yet, when the three of them meet, Chris and Ed form a unique bond, helping Tom better understand his own father. Chris interviews Ed for a high school history project and, while listening to his father answer questions about WWII, Tom internalizes his own answers about Vietnam. They dare to compare their wars and hear each other’s combat stories for the first time. Ed knows there isn’t much time left to repair what was broken between them. With the help of a resident psychologist and an aide in the memory unit—both with deep, personal connections to Vietnam—Ed encourages Tom to begin the difficult journey of healing and forgiveness. The question is, can they resolve their differences before it’s too late—for both of them?

284 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2021

Reviews

[John Podlaski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alzheimer's, Dementia, and PTSD are all discussed in this story. The story begins with a phone call informing Tom that his estranged father of 25 yrs. , Ed, was in a nursing home suffering from Dementia and wanted to see him before his mind is gone.

Tom's mother died while he was serving in Vietnam, and then when returning, he was shunned by his WWII father. Having enough, he walked out on him and hadn't heard or seen him since. Tom's wife had also died years earlier, so he raised his son, Chris, by himself.

When he arrives at the home, Tom is taken back on how cordial his father was and how much he was liked by everyone there. Taking Chris along to visit his grandfather for the first time became a catalyst that helped both Tom and his father get over the hate' they carried. Chris interviewed his grandfather about the war for a school project and Tom found many similarities to his own time when serving in Vietnam. Tom is assisted by the home psychiatrist, a preacher, and his son during these visits, which brings the family closer together.

During these visits, Tom opens up and tells his son and father about his war experiences for the first time. A preacher at the nursing home, also a Vietnam Vet, convinces him to join their monthly rap sessions to discuss the war. Initially quiet, Tom soon became more comfortable and later opened up to the group.

The story is very emotional, well written, and flowed quite well. I found no typos or other errors. Well done, Andy!