A 77-year-old Vietnam War veteran and author — whose support in the , U. S. Marines , as a girl inspired the story of a romance novel — is now seeing his written work getting new life.
First published in 1993,  , Staten Island , resident , Westley Thomas ‘ , romantic suspense novel,” A Hard Decision”, captures the essence of that era and was informed by his own experience as an 18-year-old on the front lines in , Vietnam.
He said,” As I developed each character while writing it, I become emotional because I am now thinking about all the things I had gone through.” ” I did n’t realize until many decades later, when I came back from , South East Asia, I had a lot of emotional baggage that affected me. I was dealing with the dreadful circumstances that were putting a strain on me.
Then decades past the author’s first release, it was given a makeover this season, with a new cover and new proofreading for its re-release.
The action takes place on the North Shore of Staten Island, where the amazing story takes place both during and after the Vietnam War.
The narrative follows a like triangle between William, Steve, and Zera. William, married to Zera, goes on their wedding simply before leaving for , Vietnam, with Zera expecting his baby. She grows more worried as his abrupt lettering instantly causes her to become anxious that he might not gain. The military advises Zera he’s missing, after declaring him killed in action. Time passes, and Zera married Steve despite primary concerns. Decades later, William, believed dead, results, forcing Zera to fight a tough decision.
” When a senior serves in the military, the family serves with them. And when the former results house, their lives are changed forever. People make up areas, and communities make up the country”, Thomas said, reflecting the information of his guide.
The author’s trip to , Vietnam
Thomas graduated from , Port Richmond High School , in 1965, only as the , U. S.  , entered the Vietnam War in , Da Nang. Military recruiting tents buzzed with exercise around the school grounds, gladly promoting recruitment to young people like him.
” I had a colleague,  , Lawrence Thompson… they have a park named after him in West Brighton. We both attended the same great school, but he was only a few years my senior, Thomas said. ” He was in the , Marine Corps. I would go see him at his house to see him metal his uniform. I was impressed, so my thoughts was already made up. All of the men I grew up with were going into the , Marine Corps”.
Lawrence Thompson , was the first , African-American , from , Staten Island , to get killed in the Vietnam War. He was killed in action in , Quang Nam , on , June 10, 1967.
After watching boot camp and drill instructors in movies and TV, Thomas claimed to be blindly excited when he enlisted.
” When I stepped foot in , Parris Island , ]for boot camp training ] in , July 21, 1965… It was a real awakening”, he said, remembering that he was fresh out of high school. ” Back therefore, not like immediately, drill teachers were hands on. I can now see it as it was yesterday. Any marine who served in the Vietnam War during my period is relate.
After completing further education in Vieques,  , Puerto Rico , for six months in 1966, Thomas was stationed at , Camp Lejeune, where he was promoted to Lance Corporal. He was given orders to travel to the West Pacific in , Vietnam, it, where he was given those directions.
Career in , Vietnam
While in , Vietnam, to leave the tough realities of war and get a taste of home, he fondly recalls jamming out to music with his companions, usually listening to tapes sent by his family. Additionally, he spent time addressing letters to various pen pals, mainly women, who he wished he could have a companion and advice.
” I was n’t even in , Vietnam , two months,  , October 24, 1966, there was a plane crash in the populated village”, he said. ” We were in a search and rescue operation. We were looking for body and you’re like’ oh I got an shoulder … I got a foot, I got a mind.'”
Thomas served in , Vietnam , for 22 weeks, extending his time that due to events unfolding in , the United States, including the death of , Martin Luther King Jr.
” When , Martin Luther King , was assassinated, a lot of the brothers got together in the field from different states, voicing out their anger, frustration, and the stuff that they were dealing with back home … and now they are here, and a lot of them did n’t want to be but were here because they were drafted”, he said. ” It was the sentiment … why should I go back home, there’s nothing there for me with the stuff that’s going on. At least we have a tool, we can protect ourself”.
Again household, but battling monsters
After serving for nearly two years in Vietnam and Stapleton, Thomas recalls returning home as a sea without any advice on how to adjust to world. He was raised in Stapleton and West New Brighton. He claimed that there were n’t programs to assist veterans in returning to civilian life like they do now.
He even battled worries about Agent Orange, a hazardous pesticides combination used by the , U. S.  , defense during the Vietnam War. It has caused five days more fatalities due to exposure than those who died in combat, according to the , U. S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
” It’s affecting individuals and their descendants generation after generation”, he said.
While he held numerous civil service jobs throughout the ages, Thomas went on to participate at the , College of Staten Island , and earned his Bachelor of Arts in play in 1980. That, he wrote three chapters of a war narrative, which started the decades-long quest of the now published book” A Tough Decision”.
Thomas also said he’d departed , Staten Island , with a fresh perspective when he first entered the , U. S. Marines, but returned house burdened by a fat that may linger for years.
” I also deal with PTSD every day”, he said.
Thomas later attempted murder, stabbing himself in the stomach at the age of 42, several years after being discharged. He discovered information about sources he was entitled to at a health sensible that saved his life in 2000. After learning about his experiences in , Vietnam, a girl at the reasonable recommended him to the Manhattan Vet Center to see a doctor.
” Had it not been for that referral, I do n’t even know where I would be today” he said. ” And if it was n’t for me reconnecting with my wife now, I would n’t be here”.
In 2002, at the age of 55, Thomas reconnected with his darling from his children. Eight years later, they married and now lived in , St. George, where they continue to enjoy creating artwork, participating in the community and sharing their passion.
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( c ) 2024 Staten Island Advance
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