{"id":3769,"date":"2021-03-16T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?p=3769"},"modified":"2021-10-05T11:04:16","modified_gmt":"2021-10-05T15:04:16","slug":"74-spit-shining-in-covid-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/74-spit-shining-in-covid-times\/","title":{"rendered":"#74\u2014Spit Shining in COVID Times"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Trivia Questions (Answers @ end)<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\"><li>Who said, <em>\u201cIf there&#8217;s a book you really want to read, but it hasn&#8217;t been written yet, then you must write it.\u201d<\/em>?<\/li><li>In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, <em>\u201cI&#8217;m going to make him an offer he can&#8217;t refuse.\u201d<\/em>?<\/li><li>In what song (and who sang it) did we hear the following?<br><em>No is the saddest experience you&#8217;ll ever know<\/em><br><em>Yes, it&#8217;s the saddest experience you&#8217;ll ever know<\/em><br><em>&#8216;Cause one is the loneliest number that you&#8217;ll ever do<\/em><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thanks to those who commented on my previous blog, <strong><em>#<a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/3-boot-camp-hello-dollys-and-other-things-i-cant-forget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">73\u2014Boot Camp: \u201cHello Dollys\u201d and Other Things I Can\u2019t Forget<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong> Several comments were spot on and reminded me of things I\u2019d forgotten. Here\u2019s a few more shared \u201cmemories:\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><em>\u201cYour narrative is off the charts good. For me, it was 10 weeks of pure hell but it laid the foundation for a successful life.\u201d<\/em><\/li><li><em>\u201cI was there the same time. Your blog is on point about the boot camp experience.\u201d<\/em><\/li><li><em>\u201cSpot on account of boot camp. It was the same in San Diego. I was in boot camp there at the same time. September to November 1973, and in the first brigade there to get the new uniforms.\u201d<\/em><\/li><li><em>\u201cI\u2019m sure glad we went back to the crackerjacks. I couldn\u2019t stand that combination cap and uniform.\u201d<\/em><\/li><li><em>\u201cI was issued the &#8216;new&#8217; suit in boot (Jan &#8217;74). Got out of boot camp and started hunting down a REAL uniform. There were NONE to be found&#8230; every piece had been sold as folks scrambled to avoid the awful new uniform!! Went home on leave and talked to the folks at the local theater group and was allowed to sort through their &#8216;costumes&#8217; and pick out a REALLY nice jumper and a pair of 13-button trousers. (<strong>South Pacific<\/strong> was one of their productions) With these in hand, I found a tailor who re-piped the jumper and fitted the uniform to my strapping (and thin) young body. FINALLY I looked like a sailor!\u201d<\/em><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"sdm_download_item \"><div class=\"sdm_download_item_top\"><div class=\"sdm_download_thumbnail\"><\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_title\">Blog #74 (Audio)<\/div><\/div><div style=\"clear:both;\"><\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_description\"><p>Listen to the audio of this blog, read by Andy Adkins. Click the \u201c<em><strong>Audio<\/strong><\/em>\u201d button below.<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_date\"><span class=\"sdm_download_date_label\">Published: <\/span><span class=\"sdm_download_date_value\">October 5, 2021<\/span><\/div><div class=\"sdm_download_link\"><span class=\"sdm_download_button\"><form action=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/?sdm_process_download=1&#038;download_id=5226\" method=\"post\" class=\"sdm-g-recaptcha-form sdm-download-form\"><div class=\"sdm-recaptcha-button\"><div class=\"g-recaptcha sdm-g-recaptcha\"><\/div><a href=\"#\" class=\"sdm_download darkblue sdm_download_with_condition\">Audio by Andy Adkins<\/a><\/div><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"download_id\" value=\"5226\" \/><\/form><\/span><span class=\"sdm_download_item_count\"><span class=\"sdm_item_count_number\">0<\/span><span class=\"sdm_item_count_string\"> Downloads<\/span><\/span><\/div><\/div><div class=\"sdm_clear_float\"><\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/USNavyVeteranPatch-1024x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/USNavyVeteranPatch.jpg?resize=206%2C206&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"US Navy Veteran Patch\" class=\"wp-image-3776\" width=\"206\" height=\"206\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/USNavyVeteranPatch.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/USNavyVeteranPatch.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/USNavyVeteranPatch.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/USNavyVeteranPatch.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/USNavyVeteranPatch.jpg?w=1280&amp;ssl=1 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 206px) 100vw, 206px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I hang out with a lot of veterans\u2026 or at least I did <em>before <\/em>COVID. Now, we periodically get together (usually outside), but with social distancing, masks, etc.\u2014you know&#8230; \u201cthe drill.\u201d Not as much as we used to, but sharing these challenging times with friends and fellow veterans helps to <em><strong>pass the time <\/strong><\/em>and provides us with a few &#8220;nuggets of normalcy,&#8221; as I like to call them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During one of my recent \u201cbull\u201d sessions with a couple of Navy vets, we got onto the topic of spit shining \u201ctechniques\u201d\u2014I have no clue why or how, but it involved drinking\u2014and one thing led to another, which led to another, which led to\u2026 my latest blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My dad fought in WWII in Europe. I\u2019ve written several blogs about his time in war as well as a book: <strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/book_closer.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">You Can\u2019t Get Much Closer Than This: Combat with the 80th \u201cBlue Ridge\u201d Division in World War II Europe<\/a><\/em><\/strong>. I tell you this to let you know I\u2019m a \u201cBaby Boomer,\u201d a child of the 60s, a Vietnam-Era veteran, and a whole slew of other <em>unmentionable <\/em>terms that might make a sailor blush.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Those Early \u201cSpit Shining\u201d Days<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Back when I was growing up in the 60s and old enough to buy a pack of chewing gum for a nickel (YES, that\u2019s 5 cents), I needed a way to earn money to support that habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My dad was a lawyer and wore suits, ties, and&#8230; dress shoes. He\u2019d been in the Army and had done his share of shining shoes. Now, with a pre-teen son, he had someone else to do it for him. Ten cents per pair of shoes, but <em>only<\/em> if I did a good job. Of course, part of this was to teach me: a) how to earn money and b) how to spend it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/JuicyFruitGum.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/JuicyFruitGum.jpg?resize=155%2C114&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Juicy Fruit Gum\" class=\"wp-image-3774\" width=\"155\" height=\"114\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/JuicyFruitGum.jpg?w=400&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/JuicyFruitGum.jpg?resize=300%2C221&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 155px) 100vw, 155px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Juicy Fruit Gum, back when a pack of gum cost 5c.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Naturally, I took the opportunity when he asked. After all, polishing one pair of shoes equaled two packs of Wrigley\u2019s <em>Juicy Fruit<\/em> gum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then\u2026 my Uncle Jimmy Adkins, also a lawyer, became a Florida Supreme Court justice. When he visited the house, he gave me 25c to shine his shoes, but he only had one pair when he visited. That was good enough for me, though. I was on my way to becoming rich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I knew nothing about spit shining. Back then, I used the standard KIWI \u201clight brown\u201d shoe polish, let it dry for a few minutes, then brush with a shoe brush. If I wanted them to really shine, I\u2019d give it a rubdown using a cloth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I got pretty good at it, too. While my piggy bank didn\u2019t overflow, it certainly got some use. That \u201ctime in my life\u201d shortly ended, though, when I began to collect baseball cards and needed <em>more <\/em>money; another addiction as a young child. But then again, a 5-pack of baseball cards also came with its own stick of gum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But I digress\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Boot Camp\u2013The \u201cNavy Way\u201d<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/NavyBoondockers.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/NavyBoondockers.jpg?resize=171%2C171&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3780\" width=\"171\" height=\"171\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/NavyBoondockers.jpg?w=600&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/NavyBoondockers.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/NavyBoondockers.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 171px) 100vw, 171px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Navy-issued Boondockers<br><em>(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Within a few days of arriving at Boot Camp, the Navy issued us a complete set of uniforms, including a pair of \u201cboondockers.\u201d If you don\u2019t know, those are ankle-high boots. But even brand-spankin&#8217; new, you\u2019d surely fail a uniform inspection because you couldn\u2019t see your reflection on the top of the boot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Boy, was I in for a treat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All of us <em>quickly<\/em> learned how to \u201cproperly\u201d shine our boondockers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It wasn\u2019t the same as earning 10c or 25c, but it kept us busy and after a while\u2014I know this sounds weird\u2014it actually helped lower the stress level of <em>another fine day in the Navy<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I mean, face it\u2026 you\u2019re with a few of your good boot camp buddies, in the smoking room (back in the 70s, we had a room in the barracks specific for smoking), shooting the bull, and all the while, polishing your boots. It was, in a word\u2026 relaxing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Spit Shining DEFCON Levels<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, we had different \u201cDEFCON\u201d levels for shining our boondockers in boot camp. Allow me to elaborate&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DEFCON level 4<\/strong>\u2014this was a quickie, just to buff our boots up a tad. It only took a few minutes to get a shine good enough to get through the next day. Usually, we accomplished this with an old pair of skivvies and a brush, and most of us did it right before we hit the rack at Taps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DEFCON level 3<\/strong>\u2014it took us a little longer to shine and, at this level, involved a little \u201cspit\u201d (yes, you heard that right; that\u2019s why they call it \u201cspit shining\u201d). And, if you wanted to give it a little extra shine, you learned to use cotton balls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DEFCON level 2<\/strong>\u2014this took the longest, and after flowing through \u201cspit shine\u201d DEFCON levels 4 and 3, DEFCON level 2 required the use of a lighter. Back then, butane lighters hadn&#8217;t been invented, so if you were a smoker, most everyone had a Zippo lighter. We\u2019d go to DEFCON level 2 when we had an inspection the next morning and it didn\u2019t matter if you wore your boondockers or your dress shoes, they needed to \u201cshine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that, my friends, is how we spit shined in the Navy during Boot Camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you ask&#8230; no, we never got to DEFCON level 1. I don\u2019t even know what that requirement would be unless it was a visit from the President of the United States. Oh wait\u2026 I think that happened aboard <em>Kitty Hawk<\/em>, but a few years before I arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Active Duty\u2013BS Sessions<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I launched out into the real Navy, my first duty station was <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/53-you-always-remember-your-first\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NAS Agana, Guam<\/a><\/strong>. I worked with the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/ready-a-veterans-journey-you-light-em-we-fight-em\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Crash &amp; Rescue Division<\/a><\/strong>, 24 hours on and 24 hours off\u2026 for 15 months. Great duty station and an awesome place to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We still needed to maintain a respectable appearance, but it wasn\u2019t as hard-lined as boot camp. Yet, I still polished my boondockers with a group of friends, usually BS\u2019ing about nothing important, but it was relaxing and helped <em>pass the time<\/em>. When you&#8217;re on-duty, there was no drinking. However, off-duty often found us with mirror-finished boots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When I arrived aboard <em>Kitty Hawk<\/em>, I wore my boot camp issued boondockers my first few times out on the flight deck.  But I also noticed most of those on the flight deck wore high tops. That&#8217;s what I wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SpitShinedBoots-1024x1024.jpg?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SpitShinedBoots.jpg?resize=188%2C188&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3779\" width=\"188\" height=\"188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SpitShinedBoots.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SpitShinedBoots.jpg?resize=300%2C300&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SpitShinedBoots.jpg?resize=150%2C150&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SpitShinedBoots.jpg?resize=768%2C768&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/SpitShinedBoots.jpg?w=1414&amp;ssl=1 1414w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 188px) 100vw, 188px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Flight Deck Boots<br><em>(Click to enlarge)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First paycheck back in <strong>San Diego\/North Island <\/strong>port, I headed to the Navy PX to purchase my first pair of flight deck boots-about $25 back then. They were <em>the most comfortable<\/em> pair of shoes\/boots I\u2019d ever worn in my life. And when you spend 16-18 hours a day on the flight deck during flight ops while at sea, you need that comfort, even when you\u2019re only 20 years old.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And yes, we still sat around the berthing compartment, polishing our flight deck boots; not because it was required, but because it was a way <em>to pass time<\/em> and BS with your buddies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing I learned early on: beer doesn\u2019t help the shine, but it helps with how the shine looks <em>to you<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>After the Navy\u2013Ya Can\u2019t Polish Sneakers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the exception of getting married, I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve polished a pair of shoes since I left the Navy in 1977. One reason is that when I began my career as a technology consultant and spent many hours on my feet at conferences, I learned <em>sneakers<\/em> were far more comfortable than dress shoes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The only exception\u2014thanks to my lovely wife of 40 years\u2014was when we&#8217;d attend a \u201cBlack Tie\u201d affair. I purchased <em>the most uncomfortable<\/em> pair of black patent leather shoes on the face of the planet. As my daughter-in-law often says, \u201cNot a fan!\u201d But it also made for a shorter evening &lt;grin&gt;.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Black sneakers with either a charcoal gray or navy blue suit worked fine for me for 25+ years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now retired, I may reminisce about spit shining from time to time, but honestly, I don&#8217;t wear dress shoes anymore, even to church. If I need to \u201cdress up,\u201d I\u2019ll wear my black sneakers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Besides, at my age, no one cares&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>My <\/em>COVID \u201cSpit Shining\u201d Relief<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I miss some of the old days, sitting around with a group of buddies, talking about nothing in particular, but passing the time. And yes, even those \u201cspit shining\u201d BS&#8217;ing times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in these days and challenging times of COVID, I found an \u201coutlet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I write&#8230; this weekly blog (<strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/\">A Veteran\u2019s Journey<\/a><\/em><\/strong>) helps keep me sane; it also keeps me off the streets at night. But over the past year, I also wrote a book that I\u2019ve mentioned off and on in my blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I <em><strong>finally <\/strong><\/em>published it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And before I get too far, let me also tell you it\u2019s <strong><em><u>FREE FOR VETERANS<\/u><\/em><\/strong> to download in <em>PDF<\/em> or <em>eBook<\/em> format. Actually, until I can figure out a way to limit the downloads, it\u2019s free for anyone. The <strong>link is below<\/strong> and there are no \u201cgotchas\u201d or \u201csign up for this\u201d crap\u2013the only thing is that I use a <em>Captcha<\/em> to keep the nasty Internet \u2018bots away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honestly, I\u2019m giving the book away for FREE because\u2026 well, <em>why not<\/em>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\"><strong>NEVER FORGET<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/never-forget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel.jpg?resize=198%2C297&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"NEVER FORGET Book Cover with &quot;New&quot; Label\" class=\"wp-image-3452\" width=\"198\" height=\"297\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=683%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 683w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=200%2C300&amp;ssl=1 200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=768%2C1152&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?w=1707&amp;ssl=1 1707w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/NeverForgetCover-AZA-NEWLabel-scaled.jpg?w=1600&amp;ssl=1 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 198px) 100vw, 198px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let me introduce you to my debut novel, <strong>NEVER FORGET<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The time is spring 2001; the setting is northern West Virginia and western Pennsylvania. I chose that region because I lived up there for several years and loved the area. While the characters are fictional, several events mentioned (WWII and the Vietnam War) are historically accurate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tom Reilly<\/strong> is a Vietnam War Army veteran and a single parent to his teenage son, <strong>Chris<\/strong>. He received 2 Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star Medal for action that cost his best buddy his life. He\u2019s tried to put those memories behind him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ed Reilly<\/strong>, Tom\u2019s father, is a World War II veteran. He also received 2 PHs and a BSM. He proudly displays his medals on his \u201cMe wall.\u201d Tom buried his in the bottom of a desk drawer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They haven\u2019t spoken for years after a major \u201cfalling out\u201d after Tom returned home from Vietnam. They didn&#8217;t see eye-to-eye on the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recently diagnosed with dementia\/Alzheimer\u2019s, Ed reaches out to Tom. After more than 25 years, Tom visits his father in a nursing home: <em>the fighting continues, but the healing begins<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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\u2019s combat stories for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ed knows there isn\u2019t much time left to repair what was broken between them. With the help of a resident psychologist and an aide in the memory unit\u2014both with deep, personal connections to the Vietnam War\u2014Ed encourages Tom to begin the arduous journey of healing and forgiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is, can they resolve their differences before it\u2019s too late\u2014for both of them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>NEVER FORGET<\/strong> is a work of fiction and a multi-generational father, son, and grandson novel about WWII and Vietnam. It is <em>not<\/em> about combat; it is about overcoming personal conflicts caused by a war. The story reflects upon our current society of an older generation (WWII), aging baby boomers (Vietnam), and the current generation (global terrorism). It brings together multiple facets of dementia &amp; Alzheimer\u2019s and PTSD &amp; Survivor\u2019s Guilt in a moving, character-driven story of personal struggles and growing relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s my current \u201cjourney.\u201d I hope you enjoy NEVER FORGET, my gift to <em>all <\/em>veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here&#8217;s the <a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/never-forget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">link for your FREE download<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Stay safe, my friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Until we meet again,<\/em><br>Andy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Previous posts mentioned in this blog:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/3-boot-camp-hello-dollys-and-other-things-i-cant-forget\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">#73\u2014Boot Camp: \u201cHello Dollys\u201d and Other Things I Can\u2019t Forget<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/from-civilian-to-us-navy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">#4\u2014From Civilian to US Navy<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/53-you-always-remember-your-first\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">#53\u2014You Always Remember Your First&#8230;<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/ready-a-veterans-journey-you-light-em-we-fight-em\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">#10\u2014You Light &#8217;em, We Fight &#8217;em<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><u>Answers<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\" type=\"1\"><li><strong>Toni Morrison<em>.<\/em><\/strong><\/li><li><strong><em>The Godfather<\/em><\/strong> (1972), Don Corleone (Marlon Brando).<\/li><li><strong><em>One<\/em><\/strong> (1968), Three Dog Night; written by Harry Nilsson.<\/li><\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trivia Questions (Answers @ end) Who said, \u201cIf there&#8217;s a book you really want to read, but it hasn&#8217;t been written yet, then you must write it.\u201d? In what movie (and who said it) did we hear, \u201cI&#8217;m going to&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/azadkinsiii.com\/blog\/74-spit-shining-in-covid-times\/\" class=\"readmore\">Read more<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">#74\u2014Spit Shining in COVID Times<\/span><span class=\"fa fa-angle-double-right\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[59],"tags":[20,206,74,71,83,8,141,185,264,7,256],"class_list":["post-3769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-navy","tag-80th-infantry-division","tag-a-veterans-journey","tag-agana-guam","tag-boot-camp","tag-crash-salvage","tag-never-forget","tag-orlando-rtc","tag-san-diego","tag-spit-shining","tag-uss-kitty-hawk","tag-vietnam-war","content-layout-excerpt-thumb"],"yoast_head":"<!-- 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