THE RIVER SHIP

When John A. Flowers came home from Vietnam, there were no parades for him.

He had served on a rocket ship — USS Clarion River, LSMR-409 — a small Navy ship with a crew of about 143 men, built to work in close and fire support from the water. When the Navy called her back to life in September 1965, it was for the rivers of Vietnam. She worked those inland waterways with Inshore Fire Support Division 93, campaign after campaign, earning nine campaign stars before her last decommissioning in 1970.

He never made a speech about it. What he did instead took twenty years.

Every Veterans Day, John A. Flowers marched in the parade — and made sure he passed in front of the news cameras. Because his son was watching from inside a prison, scanning the newscasts channel by channel, waiting for one glimpse of a six-foot-six frame walking by. That was their tradition: the father in the parade, the son on watch, the signal sent and received — I am here. I have not forgotten you. Neither have I.

He made up for the parade Vietnam never gave him, one Veterans Day at a time, for at least two decades.

John A. Flowers died on September 29, 2025. This Veterans Day, the routine changes. There is a new tradition now, in his son’s own words from his book: “I’m celebrating your service from here on out. Your Naval picture is the centerpiece now.”

The parade goes on. It just starts from a different place.

VETERAN’S DAY 2025

Veteran’s Day.

I usually start this day by drinking coffee, messaging or calling my Dad to let him know I appreciate your service, sir.

He usually says, “Thank You Son, I’m getting ready to head out to the parade”— he’s always at the parade!

We have an unspoken tradition: he always tries to get in front of the news cameras, and it’s my job to catch the news!

I don’t miss a newscast waiting to see his six-foot-six frame walk by the camera—

I watch with anticipation, telling my buddies, “Yo, my pops gonna be on TV at the parade”— Now, it’s four or five of us all looking at TV on different stations because we don’t know exactly what station… but all bases are covered!

ANTICIPATION… “BD!!! BD!!! BD!!! CHANNEL FIFTEEN” I change my channel fast to get a glimpse of him. We “all” get EXCITED!

I smile. I’m not sure why until this day so many people over the years would be excited by seeing my Dad on TV!? (Most only knew him through my words or pictures.) WE ALL ENJOYED SEEING HIM THOUGH—

Veteran’s Day 2025, last night it came to my realization that today’s routine would be different…

Songbird said, “What’s your plan for tomorrow?” OUR TRADITION… I think, I’m panicking.

I awoke this morning, drank my coffee, the news channel is filled with today’s parades… I quickly change my channel— breathe, Jay— I’m anxious now.

I look at the wall, the pictures of my Dad staring back at me. I close my eyes—

Okay, new tradition: I’m celebrating your service from here on out. Your Naval picture is the centerpiece now…

I remember your words, you said, “When you came back from Vietnam, there were no parades for you”… You’ve definitely made up for that now, Dad.—

I saw you in almost every parade for at least two decades now— See, I’m smiling!!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE… TO ME!

(2025)

A LETTER TO MY FATHER

Pops, its almost exactly 365 days that I’ve lost you in the physical form, and its honestly no easier. I guess I’m still in shock, and numb, I don’t know how to feel about it. It’s one of the biggest losses I’ve ever experienced.

I’ve never got over mourning Tony (big brother) I only had him around for Fourteen years and I still mourn him after all these years. It’s a void that never goes away, just the way I handle it now is different.

I’m not sure how to cure it… I realize I’m internalizing you the same way. I pray a lot about how to navigate my feelings and just like before God has been the way. I see you in everything Dad, I see you everywhere. I can still hear you. I can still see you. I will never stop missing you.

Today, I will cook food and give some food to random people in your honor I’ll celebrate you sir in the best way I can. Enjoy your heavenly birthday Pops, you are truly missed.

Love Your Son
9/29/26

By E. Jay Flowers

Redemption Writings From Prison · D.A.W.G. Publishing

https://redemptionwritingsfromprison.com

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