January 2026 | Volume 16 | Issue 8
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‘A different journey’ Vietnam war letters inspire Homewood author to publish first book at 81
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Homewood enters new year with optimism, planning, communication By KELLI S. HEWETT Homewood enters its centennial year with steady momentum and a clear mandate from the community: communicate early and often, move deliberately and measure results. For newly elected Mayor Jennifer Andress, those recurring themes will shape the way she approaches the issues. “It’s pacing, being more intentional, more communicative, more transparent,” Andress said. “I’m the luckiest person ever. All I want to do is just shout out how amazing Andress our community is.” Here’s what residents can look for in 2026:
By KELLI S. HEWETT
T
he trove of carefully typed letters sat in a basement storage box for more than half a lifetime — never quite forgotten but never rising to the forefront, either. Now, dozens of letters that Richard “Dick” Berliner of Homewood wrote to his parents from Vietnam as a humanitarian aid worker and eventual opponent of the Vietnam War are chronicled in his first book, “A Different Journey: Vietnam 1965-1973.” The former newspaper reporter, humanitarian aid volunteer, press secretary to the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy, health organizer and now (at age 81) published author spent more than five years on the project. “I resisted writing a book for what turned out to be about 50 years,” said Berliner, a longtime resident of the historic Hollywood neighborhood. “I was not particularly aware that my experience was very different than others. I didn’t think there was a need for a book, but I also began to get feedback that my experience was different. The letters brought back a different side of the war to me.” In one dispatch to his parents dated April 6, 1968, Berliner wrote, “The death of Martin Luther King and the ensuing violence has come as a shock to us here, though not a surprise. Violence has become so much a part of our life in Vietnam that we’ve come to expect it, not only here but home as well. Nonviolence is only an illusion, a dream of a King or a Gandhi. For us also a reminder that even when we leave Vietnam we will not be withdrawing from the stage of human suffering, needless and indiscriminate. Only the characters will change.”
See BERLINER | page 23
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THE LONG-RANGE PLAN FINALLY BEGINS
Homewood leaders haven’t updated a full comprehensive plan since 2007. Andress said this year will be big on public input and practical fixes while long-range planning work finally gets underway. Public meetings are expected to begin this month, with ward-by-ward sessions and mailed notices for broader participation, ideas and feedback. The format will be hands on. “There’s going to be a public meeting in each ward,” Andress said. “Even if you don’t use technology, you’re still going to know about these public meetings.” Homewood resident Richard “Dick” Berliner with his book, “A Different Journey: Vietnam 1965-1973.” Photo by Kelli S. Hewett.
INSIDE
Sponsors.................. 4 City............................ 5
Schoolhouse............ 6 Business..................10
Real Estate.............13 Events......................14
See 2026 | page 22
Sports......................16 Community.............19
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Hope in Action
Patriots’ Kaleb Carson named Offensive Player of the Year.
Trinity UMC rallies to help local community in need.
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