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Terri Schlack is the wife of a man who made the Army his career. The life she lived was adventurous and different from what she expected. Terri also received a Master of Education degree and taught for 35 years in which she used her poems, plays, parodies and short stories to teach her students. The family moved back to Wisconsin so the boys could experience family traditions and get to know their extended family..
Her oldest son decided to follow in his father's footsteps into the Army. Ryan was just home from his second tour in Iraq and preparing to finish his five years of service in two months. He attended a friend's party on Fort Hood to celebrate their safe return. Then an event occurred that changed their world. Terri thought a book telling how it is in the military when there is a senseless murder would be informative as well as point out the antiquated military justice system. The heartbreak, the emotional and physical pain and the experiencing of a military trial was beyond belief. Why their son was killed makes those who were there see him as a hero.
Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
Afterward: Murder of a Soldier by Terri Schlack is a memoir that follows the aftermath of the 2009 murder of Ryan Schlack, killed at Fort Hood, and his family's account of the impact of his death and the challenges of the military legal system. His parents, Terri and Rich, endured the process of a military court trial and the sentencing outcome, which they viewed as inadequate. They have since taken ongoing steps to oppose early release for the offender, including regular appearances before the Clemency and Parole Board in Washington, D.C., and the collection of supporting materials. They also connected with Ryan’s fellow soldiers to better understand his life and service. Their efforts raise concerns about sentencing practices in military courts, specifically the lack of clear guidelines and the role of panels over judges.
“I cannot wrap my head around what I am seeing… Frozen in place, my heart breaking in two, I cannot stop the tears. I just can’t.” Afterward by Terri Schlack is a deeply affecting memoir, and Schlack’s prose allows the reader to fully enter the emotional tumult of a family who are forced to face a sudden, devastating loss. What elevates this further beyond its raw honesty is Schlack’s ability to situate personal tragedy within the broader systems of military justice, memory, and institutional accountability. The memoir’s power lies in how it invites empathy while also provoking urgent questions about fairness and representation. Schlack’s choice to contrast her son’s case with others handled differently by the military adds weight and puts a thick line under a real sense of injustice. This isn’t simply a true account of loss, it’s about bearing witness, preserving dignity, and refusing silence against massive institutional failure. The result is both moving and thoughtful, leaving a lasting impression.
