The Long Return

The Long Return: Should the Military Be Used as a Political Tool? by Colonel David O. Scheiding, USAF (Ret.), is a stirring, unflinching memoir of war, sacrifice, and redemption. As a combat pilot and Forward Air Controller during the Vietnam War, Col. Scheiding flew high-risk, low-altitude missions in the fragile O-2A aircraft, facing near-daily threats to his life in service to his country. But the greatest challenge came after the war-returning to a homeland he no longer recognized, scarred by anti-military sentiment and a profound cultural shift that left many veterans feeling abandoned. At Bookwrights House, we are proud to present this courageous and emotionally honest work-written not just as a war chronicle, but as a moral reckoning. The Long Return is more than a memoir; it is a personal odyssey spanning decades, culminating in long-overdue healing and the powerful decision to share his story. Now available through major online retailer bookstores, this unforgettable book invites readers to experience the raw humanity behind the uniform. For history lovers, military readers, and anyone who values truth in storytelling, The Long Return is a must-read. Col. Scheiding's voice is clear, compelling-and finally, home.