Once A Soldier

About the Book

The true story which unfolds in Once a Soldier is as timely and gripping as today's headlines. Antonio Berrios a Hispanic American youth from a middle class Puerto Rican family falls in love with the daughter of a friend of the family visiting Puerto Rico from Spain. Arturo Allende's visit to Puerto Rico was both a business and personal venture which eventually took its toll in Tony's life. Tony is 18 when he and Lisa Allende meet during his birthday party, fall in love, and marry each other despite her mother's stern objections. She becomes pregnant, has an abortion, and both she and the unborn child die of complications from the procedure, driving him temporarily mentally unstable. Throughout his time of mourning and desperation he joins the military during the Vietnamese War, goes through basic training and is shipped to Europe serving with the Army of Occupation where his life takes a complete turn of events. Sexually violated and later befriended by his platoon sergeant while on basic training, Master Sgt. Paul Landis becomes his friend and mentor, guiding him through his military training as well as introducing him to a world he knew little about. This occurrence takes place at a time when "don't ask don't tell" was not a factor in the military. Through intense pleading for forgiveness by his violator, Tony is guided through several months of basic training as well as sexual orientations until he begins to discover his inner self and who he really is. His relationship with Sgt. Landis becomes deeply involved, intense and step by step through Sgt. Landis' gentle guidance he falls into a web of self discovery. Serving overseas Tony Allende is shot and seriously wounded in an outbreak of violence during a Communist May Day demonstration while on temporary Military Police duty in Trieste, Italy. Because of his injuries, the need for a blood transfusion almost costs him his life; his Commanding Officer, 1st Lt. Douglas Heaton donates his own blood. Working with Lt. Heaton, his Commanding Officer " married, father of two children " Tony falls in love with him. Their relationship and experiences working and living together and the insecurities in the private life of his Commanding Officer makes the basis for the unusual startling true story.

About the Author

Mr. Rivera was born in Puerto Rico and migrated to the United States during his early teen years, settling with his mother in New York City's Spanish Harlem. He attended and graduated from both Galvani Junior High School on East 109th street in Manhattan and Samuel Gompers Vocational High School in the Bronx. After graduating from High School he was employed by the leading Spanish newspaper of the day, La Prensa, as a typesetter. At the end of World War II he enlisted in the U.S. Army, went through basic training, and served overseas with occupational forces in Italy, France, and Germany. During his military years he was attached to the Adjutant General's Office with the 88th Inf. Division in Italy, learned to speak Italian and French and wore his Army of Occupation and World War II Victory medals with pride. After his discharge from military service he attended college, completing two and a half years of legal studies at Fordham University and gained employment with several leading law firms as a Para-legal. Although Mr. Rivera has written several essays, this book is his first publication. He is now retired and continues to write. He is currently completing his second book.