Local Author Randall K. Honey displays his latest work, Tuesday, on 1st St, entitled The Light of God. Honey, a resident of Jamestown and native of Randolf, said he’s enjoyed writing and story crafting his entire life. P-J photo by Christopher Blakeslee

For Randall K. Honey, telling stories and writing is more than a passion in life – it’s a calling.

The Jamestown resident, American Legion chaplain and, now, published author has penned a full-length novel entitled ‘The Light of God.’

“I’ve loved writing since I was a child,” said Honey. “The first time I really noticed I enjoyed writing was when I was eight years old. My dad kept my brother and myself home to watch John Glenn go into space. The next day my teacher asked me to recall what I watched. I couldn’t…I just stammered and stuttered, but the next day I wrote what I watched on TV, and my teacher couldn’t believe it. So, writing has been part of my life since I was a kid.”

Glenn was the first American to orbit the Earth, circling it three times in 1962. Following his retirement from the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), Glenn served from 1974 to 1999 as a U.S. Senator from Ohio; in 1998, he flew into space again at the age of 77.

Set during the Vietnam War, soldier, Dwight David Sinclair, wrestles with his horrific past and must evade capture by the Viet Cong, with a fleeting belief in God taking center-stage during this story. The 188-page novel follows a combat soldier’s journey, during the war, who’s lost his faith, but is overwhelmed by a mysterious light that leads him deep into enemy controlled territory.

According to the book’s cover, “The Holy Spirit envelopes the soul of Dwight David Sinclair, and he yearns to become a minister. But he witnesses a horror that erases his belief in God.”

Honey has been a freelance writer who’s had two short stories published in The Post-Journal. The first story published was in 1995 titled ‘Spanish War Vets Spirit of Hope Marches On.’ The story retells the historical reunion that occurred in Jamestown in 1927 of Teddy Roosevelt’s Roughriders. His second work, entitled, ‘A Tree That Told A Story’, was published Jan. 8, 2000, and is a blend of fact and fiction about the magnificent oak tree that once stood near the flagpole at Lincoln Elementary School.

“I enjoy writing both fiction and non-fiction,” he said. “I just enjoy writing and telling a good story.”

However, for his latest publication, Honey, has drawn on something very near and dear to his heart – fellow veterans.

“When I became the chaplain of the American Legion Post 181, I was conducting a lot of services for World War II veterans,” he said. “Now it seems like all I’m doing is Vietnam War vets. I must have conducted around 400 funerals so far. These men and women, these veterans, are a national treasure. All the veterans are near and dear to my heart.”

Honey, himself, is a veteran of the United States Navy, having served from 1972-1975, but self- admittedly never served or has been to Vietnam.

“I have the utmost respect for all veterans,” he said. “But for my book I really focused on the Vietnam War.”

Honey said he extensively interviewed many Vietnam combat veterans as part of his research for his book. He also said he has intensely studied the American and French involvement in Vietnam to round out his story-crafting art to complete his book.

Honey credits his wife and several individuals for pushing him to publish his book.

“I’ve been married for 39 years, with two children and three grandchildren,” he said. “My wife and family really pushed me to write the book.”

The Light of God book was officially published this year and can be found at local bookstores or online at amazon.com soon. For more information email rkhoneyfreelance@gmail.com.