I’ve been on a little hiatus recently.
Becky and I just returned from three weeks in Europe: a Rhine River cruise (Nuremberg, Germany to Basel, Switzerland) with bookend stops. A few days in Nuremberg, then a 10-day cruise, followed by a few days in the Swiss Alps, ending with a few days in Lyon.
Two words: stunning and wonderful.
But this post is not about our vacation.
Vietnam Veterans—Never Forget
I had just published another book, The ‘Nam “AC-48”, a tribute to the 48 men from Alachua County, Florida who died during the Vietnam War. At 150 pages, I tried to describe these men before they went to war as well as what they did in Vietnam.
It wasn’t my normal type of book. In fact, I’d just finished my high-tech thriller and was in the middle of researching for an agent when I began this Vietnam book. I didn’t realize it would take over my life … well, a better phrase would be an “obsession.” I wanted needed to get this one right.
Now that I’ve completed it and taken some time away from writing, I realize how much I really put into the book, with the research, working with families, and going through the self-publishing process.
There were times during the writing process where I needed to walk away … there were a lot of emotions.
I’ve mentioned this before, and I’ll mention it again. All sales proceeds for The ‘Nam “AC-48” go to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #1092. This group does a plethora of activities for veterans, not just Vietnam veterans.
- Fulfilling scholarships for local veterans.
- Providing cash awards for local Junior ROTC programs.
- Donating clothing and personal items for patients at the Malcom Randall VA Hospital in Gainesville.
- Mentoring veterans through the Vet Court for the 8th Judicial Court and the Marion County Correctional Institution.
- Assisting veterans during difficult times with essentials such as gas and groceries.
- Conducting “Standdowns” several times a year to help homeless veterans.
- Assisting with home repairs, such as a recent project to provide a new roof for a veteran’s home.
“Chills” – #1
There’s one other thing I wanted to mention in this post.
I had earlier scanned all my dad’s WWII photos into the computer when I wrote my WWII book. He served with the 2d Battalion (Heavy Weapons Company), 317th Infantry Regiment, 80th Division during the war and was in Europe from July 1944 through January 1946.
My dad’s unit spent six days in Nuremberg in late April (23-28) 1945. He was an officer in a mortar section and often a forward observer for his .81mm mortar squads. He and several others took a plane ride around Nuremberg. And … he was an excellent photographer.
Before this trip, I downloaded the photos he’d taken from Germany onto my phone. You know… just in case.
I wasn’t really “following” my dad’s footsteps (Becky and I had already done that a couple of times). We’re in our go-go years and taking advantage of what we can while we can.
Yes, I get chills when I visit the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. Having spent 2 1/2 years on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk as a Crash & Salvage firefighter and a Yellow Shirt director, those memories are always there, mostly good.
It’s totally different when I stand in the same area as my dad. It’s hard to explain, but looking at his photos, knowing he’d been facing death daily for almost ten months, and seeing the rubble all around, it gives me chills just thinking about it.
He’d been part of the liberation of the horrendous Buchenwald concentration camp just two weeks before entering Nuremberg; I’m sure those images of Weimar and the camp were still fresh in his mind. At that time, no one knew when the war would be over, but history tells us that a few days after my dad left Nuremberg, the Germans surrendered.
Becky and I had booked a Nuremberg WWII excursion tour on the river cruise, and I’ll tell you, we were not disappointed. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect on the tour. The highlight of this tour was standing in the Nazi Party rally parade grounds that my dad had photographed from the air in 1945.
“Chills” – #2
A day before, Becky and I were wandering (meandering as we call it) around Saint Lorenz Church in Nuremberg. It was absolutely gorgeous inside, as are most churches and cathedrals in Europe. We walked down several streets, lined with shops and restaurants on both sides.
Even though my dad died in 1989 at 68 years young, I know he’s still with me every day. While walking along a plaza street in Nuremberg, I had a feeling to turn around. I don’t know, maybe it was my dad nudging me. He does that periodically. I remembered something he told me while hunting. Always look behind you; you may be surprised.
I did that—I turned around.
I froze in my tracks as I fumbled to pull out my phone and scroll through my dad’s photos I’d downloaded until I found it.
I was standing in the same area as my dad had 81 years earlier. I snapped a photo of Saint Lorenz Church and compared it to the one my dad took. Things had changed a bit—not as much rubble in the plaza and there was a new Five Guys restaurant, but that didn’t matter to me one bit.
I’ll be honest. I looked at Becky with a tear streaming down my cheek and choked. “My dad was here.”
Even now, reliving that moment brings chills.
It wasn’t something we had planned, and it certainly wasn’t on our agenda. But I truly believe that “coincidences” are God’s way of remaining anonymous.
And … my dad still talks to me.
Until we meet again,
Andy
Andy Adkins is a US Navy veteran (’73-77) and the author of several books (www.azadkinsiii.com), many of which are free downloads (PDF, eBook format). He is currently retired and lives in Gainesville, Florida with his wife and life-long soulmate, Becky.
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