Synopsis
Josef Ratajkowski received his draft notice in 1968. He had never once considered avoiding the draft by faking an illness or a medical condition. He would answer the call to serve his country, but only on his terms, he informed the Sgt. sitting behind the desk at the induction center of his non-negotiable offer to become a non-weapon carrying combat medic.
At his first duty station in Vietnam, he forewarned the company clerk that he would only accept an assignment as an OJT (on-the -job training) medic. The clerk sent him straight out to the field to begin his short tutelage with a capable, seasoned 2nd tour medic. He had been placed in the 3rd squad along with AC (the high-strung ex-ranger), Stoney (eventual point man, best friend and confidant), Lightning (a streetwise native of Harlem), Luis Domingus (seasoned combat vet) and the ever brooding, quasi-loner PFC Black. All of them considered the new medic, nicknamed Doc Coolbreeze, a tad crazy for his refusal to bear arms, but welcomed him to their close-knit group, and in fact became his protectors. He became a skilled medic and received praise and commendations for actions under fire out in the jungles, but there were guys intent on testing him and harming him for his beliefs. He witnessed war crimes and serial murder, he questioned his complicity and returned home a broken man.
He turned to drugs in an effort to wipe out the flashbacks and nightmares that were crippling his attempt to return to civilian life. More than 30 years after he returned home from the war, he was diagnosed with PTSD. With the help of therapy at a VA trauma center, the 12-step program of Narcotics Anonymous and the support of his beautiful loving wife, he was able to come back to life and the love of grandchildren and friends.
Synopsis
Josef Ratajkowski received his draft notice in 1968. He had never once considered avoiding the draft by faking an illness or a medical condition. He would answer the call to serve his country but only on his terms, he informed the Sgt. sitting behind the desk at the induction center of his non-negotiable offer to become a non-weapon carrying combat medic.
At his first duty station in Vietnam, he forewarned the company clerk that he would only accept an assignment as an OJT (on-the -job training) medic. The clerk sent him straight out to the field to begin his short tutelage with a capable, seasoned 2nd tour medic. He had been placed in the 3rd squad along with AC (the high-strung ex-ranger), Stoney (eventual pointman, best friend and confidant), Lightning (a streetwise native of Harlem), Luis Domingus (seasoned combat vet) and the ever brooding, quasi-loner PFC Black. All of them considered the new medic, nicknamed Doc Coolbreeze, a tad crazy for his refusal to bear arms but welcomed him to their close-knit group and in fact became his protectors. He became a skilled medic and received praise and commendations for actions under fire out in the jungles, but there were guys intent on testing him and harming him for his beliefs. He witnessed war crimes and serial murder, he questioned his complicity and returned home a broken man.
He turned to drugs in an effort to wipeout the flashbacks and nightmares that were crippling his attempt to return to civilian life. More than 30 years after he returned home from the war he was diagnosed with PTSD. With the help of therapy at a VA trauma center, the 12-step program of Narcotics Anonymous and the support of his beautiful loving wife he was able to come back to life and the love of grandchildren and friends.
About The Author
Reymond Jesionowski is currently crafting his second novel, a sequel to “Don’t Tell Me”. The storyline follows Doc Coolbreeze and Blake weaving across the country on their classic motorcycles as they track down the remaining members of their once close-knit 3rd squad. The year is 2004, a solid four decades since their return from Vietnam. The duo is joined by a mysterious figure on a Vincent Black Shadow who eventually reveals that he too is a Vietnam vet still searching for forgiveness.
The journey kicks off in Taos, New Mexico where they reconnect with PFC Black. The former quasi-loner has immersed himself in the ways of Native American spirituality. The route then takes them to the Yucatan Peninsula where Domingus leads a simple life on the Gulf of Mexico. Heading north, they spend several days with Lightning and his family in Ames, Iowa, discovering that the former grenade-launcher wielder is now a revered Deacon in the town’s oldest Baptist church. Their journey leads them to New York City, and on the 4th of July they help celebrate AC’s birthday. AC has transformed haunting war nightmares into spectacular works of art. He has become a world-class sculptor and resides in a spacious loft in the Village, serving as both home and studio.
AC insisted on joining the trio heading south, perched on the back of Doc’s Goldwing, now sporting a cargo trailer. In Florida they were welcomed by Stoney, recently released from prison. Stoney had done some hard time as a result of a botched drug deal that had gone extremely bad. The band of five misfits set up camp in the Keys. Together they would share the memories of the war that still lingered in their souls. They would visit their deepest, darkest secrets…..the ones that had painted the paths they had individually traveled over the years…. the ones that defined the ground on which they currently stood. Once again, the tight-knit band of brothers stood united. Once again, they had each other’s backs.
About The Author
Reymond Jesionowski is currently crafting his second novel, a sequel to “Don’t Tell Me”. The storyline follows Doc Coolbreeze and Blake weaving across the country on their classic motorcycles as they track down the remaining members of their once close-knit 3rd squad. The year is 2004, a solid four decades since their return from Vietnam. The duo is joined by a mysterious figure on a Vincent Black Shadow who eventually reveals that he too is a Vietnam vet still searching for forgiveness.
The journey kicks off in Taos, New Mexico where they reconnect with PFC Black. The former quasi-loner has immersed himself in the ways of Native American spirituality. The route then takes them to the Yucatan Peninsula where Domingus leads a simple life on the Gulf of Mexico. Heading north, they spend several days with Lightning and his family in Ames, Iowa, discovering that the former grenade-launcher wielder is now a revered Deacon in the town’s oldest Baptist church. Their journey leads them to New York City, and on the 4th of July they help celebrate AC’s birthday. AC has transformed haunting war nightmares into spectacular works of art. He has become a world-class sculptor and resides in a spacious loft in the Village, serving as both home and studio.
AC insisted on joining the trio heading south, perched on the back of Doc’s Goldwing, now sporting a cargo trailer. In Florida they were welcomed by Stoney, recently released from prison. Stoney had done some hard time as a result of a botched drug deal that had gone extremely bad. The band of five misfits set up camp in the Keys. Together they would share the memories of the war that still lingered in their souls. They would visit their deepest, darkest secrets…..the ones that had painted the paths they had individually traveled over the years…. the ones that defined the ground on which they currently stood. Once again, the tight-knit band of brothers stood united. Once again, they had each other’s backs.