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Memories of Jerry

Album: 27: The Search For Whit

Episode: 352

Lesson/Theme: Doing what's right; courage.

Bible Verse: Psalm 73:23-26

Characters: Connie, Jason

Writer: Phil Lollar

Sound Designer: Mark Drury

Original Air Date: April 27, 1996

Last Air Date: May 29, 2009

Description:
Connie is looking for a book in Whit’s office one afternoon. Suddenly, the bookshelf slides open, and Jason steps out of the hidden computer room behind it. They both are startled to see each other, and Connie accidentally knocks several books off the shelf. As they replace the fallen books, Jason comes across a novel called the Terminus Factor. He thinks it odd that his dad kept such a book, Whit always said he hated it. Jason flips through the paperback. An old postcard addressed to Jason falls out of it! It’s from his older brother, Jerry, who sent it from Vietnam. This is the first time Jason has seen the card. He reads it, and it brings back a flood of memories for him, which he relays to Connie via flashback . . . . Jerry is an instantly likable guy and wonderful big brother. He helps Jason with his high-jump performance, then the two of them go to the university to get a soda. There, they run into Leonard Plateman, aka "Plato," a hard-core hippie. Plato confronts Jerry about his volunteering to go to Vietnam and tries to talk him out of it. But Jerry says there is nothing to discuss. Plato leaves to attend an anti-war rally, and Jerry and Jason go to the ROTC building to drop off some papers. But when they exit, they see that the rally has turned into a riot. Jerry and Jason escape unharmed, but Jason is bothered by the rioters and by the fact that Jerry is going to ‘Nam in general. Jerry comforts him, and the two of them go up to the Whittaker family cabin on Lake Michigan for a long weekend. They have a great time. On the night before they’re supposed to come back, Plato shows up at the door! He’s received his draft notice, and he’s decided to run away to Canada. Jerry and Plato argue over the morality of Plato’s decision, but Plato has made up his mind. He’s leaving, and he wants Jerry to go with him. That night, Jason awakens from a fitful sleep to hear Jerry praying and wrestling with his convictions. The next morning as Jerry sees Plato off across the lake, Jason runs up and begs Jerry to go with him. Jason doesn’t care if it’s wrong, he just wants Jerry to stay alive! Jerry calms and comforts Jason. Jerry tells his brother that he wouldn’t really be living if he were to betray his commitments to his country, his family, and to God. He must honor those commitments, all the way to the end, just like Jesus did. Jason isn’t convinced and starts crying. Jerry again comforts him, telling him there is no need to fear, God is with him.

Questions:
Plato said that he was going to go “change the world.” What did he mean? Why didn’t Plato want to go to Vietnam? Why did Jerry feel he had to go to Vietnam? Why didn’t Jason want Jerry to fight in the war? Between the three of them, who was right? Explain your answer. Is it wrong to fight in a war? Why or why not?