Memoir Writing Prompts with Tom Keating, Author of Yesterday's Soldier

During the Covid19 lockdown this spring, Tom Keating sent over some videos for writing prompts on memoir. His new book, Yesterday’s Soldier tells of his time in Vietnam as a Conscientious Objector. Below he reads excerpts from his book, followed by writing prompts.

Excerpt One from Yesterday’s Soldier
Prologue

Struggling to live a holy life, I watched others leave the seminary, some close friends. It was painful to say goodbye to them as they left, one after another. Of the twenty-seven in my freshman group of postulants, and after five years, only five of us remained. My friends from Bridgeport began to leave the seminary, too, which was extremely upsetting to me. First it was Ted, then Dan, and finally Mike and Jim, whom I had been very close with. It set me adrift, and disrupted my junior year and my religious life. It was noticed by others, especially Father Superior. I was late to prayers, sullen at times, and distant from others.

I was looking forward to being sent to Notre Dame University for theology studies and then ordination. I had finally made the Dean’s list academically, and my activities on campus with the college newspaper and yearbook were in line with the new attitude in the Church—going where the people are, being a witness to the Lord among them. Near the end of my senior year, I was called into Father Superior’s office to receive my assignment to theology studies at Notre Dame University.

It was a shock, then, when he said, “Tom, we don’t think you have a true vocation, and we will not send you to theology. You have what is known as a ‘temporary vocation.’” Father Superior had one more thing to say that would really change my life. “Tom,” he said. “We are required by law to notify your local draft board immediately of the change in your status from II-D, studying for the ministry, to I-A, available for military service. We have to send the letter before you leave here after graduation.”

Just like that, my life changed. I was not going to be a priest. I could be sent to a country 10,000 miles away, and could be carrying a rifle, walking in rice paddies. I had a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a I-A draft classification, a prime target for the draft.

Writing Prompt One
Temporary Assigned Duty

Write about a time someone drastically changed your plans, or a time you trained for something you never got to do.

Excerpt Two from Yesterday’s Soldier
Basic Combat Training

When I came back and walked up the stairs to the platoon area that Sunday everyone stopped talking, and watched as I walked toward my bunk. It was torn apart, the blankets, sheets and mattress on the floor; my footlocker busted open, and the contents thrown everywhere. Dexter stood by his bunk stifling a giggle. I looked across the room at Larry who tried hard not to smile, waiting to see how I would react. The rest of the platoon paused, waiting.

My rage inside me exploded, my face turned bright red. I reached into my wall locker for my bayonet, and ran over to Dexter, tackled him, put my knee on his back, pulled the bayonet from its scabbard, pushed his head down and put the cold steel edge of the bayonet against his neck. I shouted, “If you ever fuck with me or my stuff again, Dexter, I am going to kill you.

So help me God! Right here, right now. Got it?”

Dexter didn’t move. The barracks were funeral quiet. Blind with rage, time had stopped for me. After a scary pause, and with a shaky voice, Dexter said, “Yeah.”

My hands stopped shaking after a few minutes, and my body twitched as I cooled down. I could not believe what I had done.

Oh my god, I was going to kill that kid! I shivered again and realized that Basic Combat Training was working; I had learned how to kill. Five years of God, prayer, love, and kindness was gone. The Army had done its job. I cleaned up the mess and got ready for the next day.

Writing Prompt Two
A Fight

Write about a physical or emotional conflict. Think of a time when a course of events changed due to someone's word or preferably action. Have you been in a fight? What happened?

Tom Keating

Tom Keating is a graduate of Stonehill College, where he studied for the priesthood at Holy Cross Seminary for five years before serving in the United States Army, including a tour of Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 as a conscientious objector. He served with the 47th Military History Detachment, then served with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Logistical Command, and Headquarters Company, US Army Vietnam, (USARV) also in Long Binh. His service earned him two Army Commendation Medal for his work. His memoir of his military experiences in the US Army, “Yesterday’s Soldier,” the story of his journey from Infantry Officer Candidate to conscientious objector, is available on Amazon.

After his military service, Tom attended Boston University and completed his Master’s degree in Education, and taught at the high school in Burlington, MA for eight years. A career in corporate communications and learning with companies like Wang Laboratories, Digital Equipment Corporation, IBM and EMC Corporation followed. He also produced news and public affairs broadcasts for local Boston television and national cable television programs.

Tom joined the AGAPE writing program for veterans at the Woods College of Advancing Studies at Boston College under the direction of Roxana Von Kraus. He attended the Joiner Institute Master Writing Program at the Joiner Institute Writers’ Workshop Festival held at the University of Massachusetts, Boston in 2017 and 2018.

Excerpts from his memoir have appeared in national anthologies such as “War Stories”, an anthology edited by Sean Davis, and “Shakedown” published by Warrior Writers Boston in their book “Complacency Kills”.

Tom and his wife, the artist Kathleen Keating, live in Massachusetts where he is an active member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and is committed to assisting veterans of all ages.