The Veterans of Caffrey Conversation

Veterans Day is on November 11, and to celebrate we'd like to shine the spotlight on the veterans in our series. In canon, Clinton Jones, who served in the Navy, was the only team member known to be a vet. In addition, several episodes featured the military. Penna greatly expanded the number of veterans in Caffrey Conversation. Neal's uncle David, Angela's father, was killed during active service with the Air Force in Afghanistan. Neal's godfather is Colonel Trent Lombard, also with the Air Force. Trent was featured in Caffrey Envoy. Neal's grandfather Edmund served in the Army. He met his future wife Irene when she was on tour with the USO. Penna also introduced us to George Knightley, a Navy buddy of Jones who lost the lower part of one leg while on active duty. George first appeared in Caffrey Flashback.

My Arkham Files series is set immediately after the conclusion of the Vietnam War. The divisiveness of the era is reflected in the stories. Peter enlisted in the 1960s and was a member of the Navy's Underwater Archaeology Branch. Both he and Jones, who also served in the Navy, were stationed in the Philippines. The choice of location is an Easter egg to my husband who is a Navy vet and served in the Philippines. Peter's younger brother Tom left college to enlist and was killed in action in Vietnam.

Mozzie represents a different viewpoint in Arkham Files. He believes the best way to support the military is to stay out of wars. He joined legions of others in protesting the Vietnam War. Neal was admitted to Miskatonic University when he was 16. Initially too young to serve, he was subsequently granted academic deferences. By the time he was eligible, the war was over. During the Vietnam period, all men were required to register. They were assigned random numbers that determined the order in which they were called.

Henry's attitude toward the war is a question mark. He was introduced to the Arkham Files series in Time Crystals. He graduated from high school in 1969. It was a time when anti-war sentiment was intensifying and troop morale was suffering. Many dodged the draft by prolonging their time in college or by fleeing overseas. Henry took off for parts unknown after graduation. Why he left will be explained in my next Arkham Files story, Scorpion Hill.

So far, we haven't introduced any female characters who've served in the military and that's an oversight we should remedy.

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