Jeremy Redmon recalls a poignant moment from his youth that shaped his understanding of loss and resilience. On a September morning in 1986, at age 14, Redmon shared a quiet car ride with his father, Donald Lee Redmon, before attending Walter E. Stebbins High School in Riverside, Ohio. While the details of that day remain fragmented, the memory is deeply significant in hindsight.

Donald Lee Redmon, a Vietnam War veteran credited with saving his B-52 crew in 1972, was then working as an electrical engineer at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. On that day, he appeared outwardly normal during their farewell, showing no obvious signs of distress or struggle from multiple sclerosis or personal battles that Redmon only recognized in retrospect.

Despite the seemingly mundane nature of their interactions, that day marked an unspoken turning point. Jeremy Redmon says he missed subtle signals—anything that might have revealed his father’s inner turmoil or intentions. After school, his father did not return home. Redmon’s mother learned he had left work around noon, prompting a desperate search.

The experience led Redmon to reflect on the complexities of communication and loss within families affected by mental health struggles. Many memories surrounding that day, he notes, have become fragmented or shrouded, a protective mechanism against pain.

Redmon’s reflections are part of a larger narrative explored in his recently published memoir, *Tell the Kids I Love Them: A Memoir*, released on September 15 by the University of South Carolina Press. The book delves into themes of war, fatherhood, love, and loss, drawing from Redmon’s personal journey as well as his professional insight as a nation enterprise editor.

This publication coincides with Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, highlighting the importance of dialogue and awareness around mental health challenges, particularly among veterans and their families. Through his memoir, Redmon aims to honor his father’s legacy and shed light on the often unseen struggles that accompany service and sacrifice.