End of a tragedy, with a new beginning over lunch at the Scotch

Forty one years ago, my entire family was on the receiving end of a tragedy that ended with a new beginning and it happened partly over lunch and drinks at Scotch & Sirloin. My youngest brother was killed in Viet Nam in 1968 by “friendly fire.” It was a year after I returned from there serving with the United States Marine Corps. For over 35 years we knew very little about what happened. One day out of the blue, a letter came to my folks’ home, which we lived in, by chance. Dad had passed away and mom had Alztheimers. It was from Florida, from the man who accidentally shot my brother. He had suffered horribly all those years. Part of his getting better was to come meet us and answer questions, if we would allow it. At first, we were conflicted but then offered our chance to give him his life back. He is a very nice guy with a loving, caring wife and 2 grown children. We visited the War Memorial and went to the cemetery where my brother is buried. After a lot of emotion was released over several days, we concluded their visit with lunch & drinks at Scotch & Sirloin. It seemed like the appropriate place. Thank you!

Curtis Payne

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