Faith of Our Fathers 2015

As John Paul George (soon to be Cynthia) prepared to seal his fate with matrimony just three weeks hence, a surprise discovery would forever alter the trajectory of his life. Amidst the dusty relics of his recently deceased mother’s garage, he unearthed a box of war-torn treasures belonging to his father Stephen, a casualty of the Vietnam War in 1969. The contents, a poignant window into Stephen’s past, included a letter that piqued John’s curiosity - a mention of “Edward J. Adams”, his father’s trusted comrade-in-arms.

Driven by an insatiable desire for connection, John embarked on a journey to Mississippi, where the faint echoes of Edward’s name led him to Wayne Adams, the son of Stephen’s old friend. Initially, Wayne, a cantankerous hermit, rebuffed John’s advances, but as the sun dipped below the horizon, he relented, inviting John into his humble abode for dinner. As they broke bread together, Wayne revealed that his father had rediscovered his faith through John’s own father and extended an unexpected invitation - to accompany him to the hallowed grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

As they stood before The Wall, where the names of fallen heroes etched a poignant reminder of sacrifice, Wayne forced John to confront the past by reading aloud from Edward’s letters. In exchange for this emotional labor, Wayne promised John a letter from Edward himself, one that would reveal the deep bond between Stephen and his fellow soldier. As they walked among the rows of inscribed names, flashbacks illuminated the shared experiences of Stephen and Edward, their camaraderie forged in the crucible of war.

As their escapades continue, Wayne and John find themselves entangled in a series of mishaps, including a violent encounter with a group of rough-around-the-edges locals at a gas station. The duo also picks up two seemingly friendly travelers, Annie and her cousin, who join them on the road, but their camaraderie is short-lived when they steal Wayne’s prized 1965 Ford Thunderbird, leaving him feeling betrayed and disrespected. In his frustration, John tries to distance himself from Wayne’s antics, but ultimately decides to stand by his friend’s side as they embark on a new adventure - camping out overnight in the motel parking lot.

The next morning, John takes Annie aside for a chat, learning that she’s traveling with her cousin and suggesting a group outing for coffee. However, when he tries to leave Wayne sleeping in the car, Annie assures him that they’ll return, but it’s too late - Wayne awakens to find his beloved Thunderbird gone, and his anger is palpable as he lashes out at John. In an attempt to make amends, they decide to test-drive a vintage 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit, which they eventually purchase for $1200. But their joyride comes to an abrupt end when they’re arrested by the police for speeding.

From behind bars, John reaches out to Cynthia, pleading with her to bail them out, but she’s appalled by their situation and declines. As he struggles to come to terms with his friend’s reckless behavior, Wayne opens up about a traumatic event from his past - 16 years earlier, he and his mother Eleanor traveled to Washington, D.C., when an intoxicated driver struck their car at an overpass bridge, sending it flipping over the edge; Wayne survived, but his mother didn’t.

The next day, John is released from jail, only to discover that the Volkswagen they purchased was actually a stolen car designed to scam innocent victims out of their money. Cynthia contacts him to apologize for her earlier refusal to help, but he’s not interested in hearing it - instead, he’s got more pressing concerns as Wayne enters a convenience store brandishing a toy revolver. John tries to intervene, but things escalate when a Virginia State Police trooper arrives on the scene, revealing himself to be none other than Mansfield.

As they’re hauled away by the authorities, John learns that Mansfield has been deeply affected by Stephen’s words about the Lord in the wake of his wife’s passing. Back at Mansfield’s residence, he shares a piece of his father’s story - how Edward accepted the Lord as his own just moments before being killed in Vietnam, along with Stephen, when their plane was ambushed and destroyed in a massive explosion. John is visibly shaken by this revelation, and it’s clear that his friend’s recklessness has been a cry for help, a desperate attempt to fill the void left by his father’s passing.

As they press on towards the nation’s capital, the duo finds themselves drawn back to a poignant reminder of the past: the overpass bridge where Eleanor’s life was tragically cut short. As they stand before the wreckage of the car that bears the scars of that fateful night, Wayne (actor name) is struck by a profound sense of nostalgia as he discovers a hidden letter beneath a rock, penned by his father Edward in his own hand. The words on the page are a poignant declaration of paternal love and devotion, with Edward confessing that despite being absent from his son’s life, he remains deeply invested in Wayne’s well-being.

As Wayne reads the letter aloud, a mix of emotions plays out across his face - surprise, gratitude, and a deep sense of connection to the father he never truly knew. The revelation is all the more meaningful given Edward’s unexpected foray into biblical scripture prior to his passing, a development that speaks volumes about the depth of his faith and commitment to their bond.

As the journey comes full circle, Wayne and his unlikely companion find themselves standing before the iconic Wall of Honor, their fathers’ names etched indelibly upon its surface. It is here, surrounded by the solemn reverence of this hallowed ground, that the pair has forged an unbreakable bond - a testament to the transformative power of human connection in the face of adversity.