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  The Deacon and the Shield

  John E. Howard

  Austin Macauley Publishers

  The Deacon and the Shield

  About the Author

  Dedication

  Copyright Information ©

  Preface

  Chronology of Events

  Chapter One: “The Soldier – 1967-1968”

  Chapter Two: “The Wages of Sin”

  Chapter Three: “It’s Hard Times at the Bottom”

  Chapter Four: The Employer of Bought Souls

  Chapter Five: “Archangel St. Michael”

  Chapter Six: “Mammon Is Easy to Like”

  Chapter Seven: The Alligator Clown

  Chapter Eight: Thanksgiving Eve – Baseball – The Bully

  Chapter Nine: “Father Drake – Friar Tuck – St. Gabriel”

  Chapter Ten: “Christmas Eve”

  Chapter Eleven: “The Fight with Michael on Christmas Day”

  Chapter Twelve: “Aebra Arlington’s Trial – The Truth”

  Chapter Thirteen: “Valentine’s Day”

  Chapter Fourteen: “Welcome Home, Eddy”

  Chapter Fifteen: “High School Friend”

  Chapter Sixteen: “Easter Day – The Vision of Jesus on the Road to Golgotha”

  Chapter Seventeen: “The Murder”

  Chapter Eighteen: “Eddy Near Death”

  Chapter Nineteen: Eddy’s Coma – Visitors

  Chapter Twenty: St. Michael Returns – The Verdict

  About the Author

  John E. Howard is a husband, father, and grandfather. He is a retired accountant for The General Motors Corporation, an ordained deacon in the Christian Church and a decorated Vietnam veteran. He earned an associate of arts degree in higher accounting at a Dayton business college. He furthered his education though night courses at Wright State University. He is a native of Fairborn, Ohio, but now lives in The Villages, Florida, with his wife, Vicki.

  Dedication

  In Appreciation

  This book is dedicated to the ladies of my life for their caring presence ever beside me.

  Alma – my kind and good mother, Vicki – my wife and true love, April – our precious daughter, Brooke – our sweet granddaughter.

  Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants, ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. Prov. 31:10-15

  Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She opened her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Prov.31:25

  “Isn’t God great when He asks us just to love like he does?”

  Copyright Information ©

  John E. Howard (2021)

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.

  Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Ordering Information

  Quantity sales: Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at the address below.

  Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication data

  Howard, John E.

  The Deacon and the Shield

  ISBN 9781641829793 (Paperback)

  ISBN 9781643783970 (Hardback)

  ISBN 9781641826464 (ePub e-book)

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2021908870

  www.austinmacauley.com/us

  First Published (2021)

  Austin Macauley Publishers LLC

  40 Wall Street, 33rd Floor, Suite 3302

  New York, NY 10005

  USA

  [email protected]

  +1 (646) 5125767

  Preface

  As a battlefield soldier that survived the Vietnam War*, I am honored to introduce a testimonial story that personifies truth about a mental disease that affects so many lives. It’s called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Unfortunately, many of those suffering go untreated and try to live peacefully with their PTSD affliction and maintain a symbolic way of life. Depicted in this tribute is one such individual that battles his devils while trying to fulfill his duty as an ordained Deacon in the Christian Church. Characters in this heartfelt tale are fictional and any resemblance to any particular person is purely coincidental.

  How might one feel emotionally who has PTSD?

  Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. Psalms 31:9,10

  I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. Psalms 31:12

  What Is PTSD?

  Exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violation.

  Directly experience or witness in person to the traumatic events. Learning that the traumatic events occurred to a close family member or close friend which may have been violent or accidental. Constant exposure to traumatic events such as the service of first responders, police and fire departments, medical personnel, and the American combat soldier.

  Symptoms: Flashbacks or other dissociative reactions in which the individual feels or acts as if the traumatic events are recurring. Distressing dreams in which the content or effect of the dream is related to the traumatic events. Intense or prolonged psychological distress and reactions to reminders of the traumatic events.

  How is this affliction apparent to others?

  Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs about himself, others, or the world; such as: I am bad – no one can be trusted – the world is dangerous – distorted blame of self or others and/or fear, horror, or shame – inability to experience positive emotions – estrangement from others – reckless or self-destructive behavior.

  Hundreds of thousands of veterans and their families suffer severe psychological and emotional difficulties related to military service. There is no single cure for those afflicted with debilitating, chronic PTSD. It is recognized that continual care to anchor gains in treatment is required. As reported by The Vietnam Veterans of America, they sponsor workshops and town halls that focus on identification and treatments. Discussions deal with recognizing and managing triggers, promoting personal growth and self-care.*

  Alcohol and other drugs, including prescription drugs, have also had serious impact on the quality of life of veterans and their families. The importance of getting help to someone before they die of their own hand, must be stressed.

  Currently, the country of Vietnam has its own PTSD and carries open wounds in the suffering of her children from t
he remaining environmental and genetic devastation of Agent Orange; a legacy of the Vietnam War.

  Sergeant Eddy Riffle, while serving in The Republic of Vietnam, escaped the fatal grasp of death’s collector. But like so many soldiers, Eddy hid his hurt, shame and bitterness of that war within the far-reaches of his mind – not ever forgotten, but stored away. This affliction can last a lifetime and lurks in the dark places of one’s soul and waits for the right opportunity to do the most damage. After many years of playing tag with this suppressed sickness, his version of PTSD struck with a vengeance.

  Achievements: Husband, father, grandfather, decorated military combat veteran, educated at State College and Law School, attorney-at-law, private investigator, public defender for Orange County, Florida, and church deacon. A successful life? “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov. 14:12.

  PTSD calamities: Wounding of his soul derived by the harshness of war takes him to a dark place. Through induced weakness, he struggles with right vs wrong – he loses love of family and friends – tainted devotion – stumbles into violent situations – entertains times of instability – yearns for sympathy for his own poor soul – battles himself for self-forgiveness – blindly tries to serve two masters, God or mammon – turns away from the blessings of faith – loses hope and falls to rock bottom where sometimes he is unable to distinguish truth from fantasy.

  In his own words: “I’m thinking that all is vanquished, my career, my family, my Christian faith, my reputation, and my happy way of life. I gave it all away through self-indulgence and weakness. Too much! I’m stuck in self-destruction mode with debilitating flashbacks and nightmares – the terror and revenge type. At times, I feel like I’m capable of anything and committing acts that I can’t remember or don’t want to admit. Questions are swirling in my head with confusing answers. And now my conscience will not turn me loose. I’m just plain afraid of what they will say about me on the judgement day. What will my family and friends think about me then? And will I hear those thundering words from on high: ‘The Deacon lost his way?’”

  Someone once said: “The devil loves untold secrets especially those that fester in the darkness of one’s soul.”

  Desperate and with the lust for life almost lost, Eddy Riffle believes that he envisions a visit from the heavenly archangel, St. Michael. Boldly, he challenges the angel with great defiance which convinces the heavenly appearance that the time is not right for collection and grants a reprieve. Within this blessing is an offer of a soul-saving mandate: “The Shield.”

  Eddy Riffle’s story will not end with failure but begins anew. Readers will revel in his recovery and how he returns to God and family, in an emotional roller coaster tale of action, drama, suspense, some light-hearted humor, love, and faith. Please enjoy!

  For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield. Psalms 5:12

  * * *

  * Btry. A, 1st Battalion, 14th Artillery, 198th Light Infantry Brigade, Americal Division, Chu Lai, Vietnam. (105mm Howitzer)↩︎

  * vvaveteran.org publications↩︎

  Chronology of Events

  PART 1

  The early years: Deaconship – Drafted into the United States Army – tour of duty in Vietnam – returns to USA, family, and church – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD affliction begins – coexists with episodes – over time he becomes an educated, professional man but hides his sickness – allows barrier to God to thicken.

  PART 2

  History to present time: Serves two masters, God and mammon – gets paid the wages of sin – estranged from family – endures hard times at the bottom – hates his temptress into near disaster – mental affliction worsens – selective memory.

  PART 3

  The struggle: Believes he is given a vision of St. Michael, the Archangel – receives a reprieve and a mandate – edges into the clutches of The Employer of Bought Souls – a sting operation – a mysterious “sniper” is on the loose – meets Abaddon, the angel of the bottomless pit who is after revenge.

  PART 4

  Recovery: the true soul emerges on Thanksgiving Day – Father Drake offers help – wrestles St. Michael on Christmas Day – defends in court Triple AAA – returns to family on Valentine’s Day, redemption – Easter: St. Gabriel’s message/vision of Jesus on the road to Golgotha.

  PART 5

  Almost there, but: The struggle intensifies: suspected of murder – ambushed by criminal elements/wounded – near death/comatose – has coma induced visions – subpoenaed into court – the sniper is unmasked – Bill (KIA) returns in spirit – PTSD bridled through The Shield.

  Finale

  St. Michael returns with “The Verdict – Eddy Riffle” via the weighing on the scales – A just weight and balance are the Lord’s: all the weights of the bag are his work. Prov.

  The Deacon’s Homily – The Shield – seek, discover, believe, understand, sanctify.

  The Next Word – the future? – “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matt. 10:16

  The Office of a Deacon

  As an ordained deacon in the First Church of Christ, my duty is to serve the church and its members in whatever capacity that may be required. In that endeavor, I write this book.

  “Likewise, must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 3:8-13.

  Chapter One

  “The Soldier – 1967-1968”

  Twelve months is a long time in a combat zone when every second could be the last – similar to the Greek proverb: The Sword of Damocles, which epitomized the great fear of having to live with the constant threat of death. A huge and heavy sword was hung above the throne and over the head of Damocles and secured by the single hair of horse’s tail to evoke the sense that the fragile hair would inevitably break and thereby render sudden and instant death. Such is the life of the frontline soldier who will experience this non-relenting anxiety in the effort to do his duty.

  Sergeant Eddy E. Riffle

  When duty calls:

  “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightiest war a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck.” I Tim: 1:18-1.

  “Also, I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, here am I; send me.” Isa 6:8

  “In other words, keep the faith, obey lawful orders and do your duty, and maintain a good conscience while doing so!”

  Eddy Riffle is a Vietnam veteran. It was not a popular war, but it was his war. He answered the call to duty and did what his government asked of him. He had nothing to do with the politics. His family prayed to God for his safe and healthy return. His in-country tour of duty: 12 months. His mission: Obey all lawful orders and stay alive. He was drafted at 22 years of age. He was married at the time. His buddies in the U.S. Army affectionately called him “The Deacon” – a title well earned.

  “Hey Bob, I feel like I’m a sitting duck. It’s pitch-black and I can’t see anything. If they have my forehead as a target, I’ll never know what happened. Pop a flare and let’s take a look.”

  (Poof – light for several seconds as the flare makes it way downward)

  “Eddy, I think I see something, over on the right, by those big clumps of trees. Give them some of that .50-cal!” (Tat, tat, tat,
tat – about 50 rounds worth)

  “Bob, wake up, Bill, I think I hear something like snapping branches and rustling noises. It’s coming from over there right where I was firing – sounds to me like a lot of talk going on – getting louder. Hit another flare, quick!”

  (Poof – light for several seconds as the flare makes it way downward)

  Eddy shouts: “Oh no! Here they come – must be a million – they’re running right at us. Bill, get the claymores ready! Bob, set off the sirens!”

  While the warning alarm was blaring away, Eddy let loose with the .50-cal machine gun and Bob fired his M-16 rifle and Bill triggered the claymore mines – one by one, and as fast as he could. The ordnance burst in every direction around the outside perimeter but it was not enough to deflect the horde of terror. The entire camp was now awakened and alerted and on their way to their assigned positions. Help would soon reach the guard post. Eddy screamed: “They better hurry, we’re being overrun!” It didn’t help the frantic trio that incoming mortars were now landing too close for comfort. Where would the next one land?