Becoming a Man in the Shadowlands by Dennis N. Randall - HTML preview

About the Author

I live in Kingston, Massachusetts where my wife Judy Randall and I’ve raised two extraordinary children. Our son Bradford is an Eagle Scout who currently works as the editor of two large community newspapers serving southeastern Massachusetts. Our daughter, Samantha is a successful sales associate for a major New England utility company.

I’m 69- year-old recently retired Vietnam Veteran with a 100% disability from exposure to Agent Orange. I’ve been a writer and community journalist for nearly 40 years in which time I’ve been able to author thousands of articles, editorials, and news stories. Becoming a Man in the Shadowlands is my first book.

While I was growing up, my babysitter raped me; school bullies sexually assaulted me, and my mother molested me. It has taken me nearly 50 years to admit it to myself that I had been an abused child.

One day over a cup of coffee, I told a friend that I had been raped and molested as a boy. That simple sharing of a secret that I had been hiding from myself for so many years began the process of healing as it unleashed a flood of memories. The experience was almost overwhelming and to restore order to the chaos of recollection; I started a journal which evolved into the story of my childhood.

Every survivor has a different saga, and it is a mistake to believe the story of one is the story for all. Like snowflakes in a blizzard, each of us is unique. Within each of us, there is a common desire to heal and thrive despite our injury. None of us has the power to change our past, but we each have the capacity to change how the past affects us today.

Sharing my experiences through my writing is my way of giving back, and it is my personal pathway toward healing. Since I’ve reached that point in my journey, where there is more scenery in the rearview mirror than there is roadway ahead, I now have the time to write. I would rather hit the end of the road at full throttle than coast to a stop in the sunset.

---

Despite everything, I believe we each have a responsibility to do our leave the world a better place. To that end, I’ve done my best to serve my country, community, and church. I’ve served my country in the armed forces for six years. I did four years in the United States Air Force with overseas duty in Japan and Vietnam. Later, I enlisted for a one-year hitch in the U. S. Army Active Reserve and served as a Sergeant and Squad Leader in D Troop, 5th Armored Cavalry, 187th Infantry Brigade, Yankee Division, and I served one year in the inactive reserve.

Community service is also an important part of my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to serve two terms as a Selectman in my hometown of Kingston. I’ve also had the privilege of serving my town for forty years as an elected or appointed member of numerous boards, commissions, and committees.

I’ve served my faith and my church to the best of my ability as elected moderator with the responsibility of presiding over all parish meetings. I’m proud that I’ve was, the longest-serving Moderator in the 300-year history of the First Parish Church.