This summer, Steve Roberts was able to come one step closer to coming to peace with the death of his brother.

In March, Kevin Sweeney underwent surgery that forever changed his life.

Over the course of 2006, the Current interviewed the two men at the beginning of their separate journeys. This week, as 2007 begins, both were re-interviewed to find out where they are now and what the new year might bring.

Steve Roberts’ brother, John Roberts, was killed in action during Vietnam 39 years ago. A few lines on a telegram were the only clues Roberts had to his brother’s fate. While visiting the traveling Vietnam Memorial in South Portland this August, Roberts found a veteran who was with his brother just moments before he died.

That sparked an idea. After the wall left, Roberts decided he would travel to Vietnam to the area where his brother died. Four months, his plans are becoming a reality. This summer, said Roberts, he will finally visit Vietnam.

“It’s something that’s always been in the back of my mind,” said Roberts. “I think the wall coming out motivated me more – it really touched me.”

Roberts, who now lives in Gorham and grew up in South Portland, will travel with a friend who has a brother that lives in Thailand. Most of the 12-day trip will be spent in Thailand before they take a boat to Vietnam, said Roberts. Once there, Roberts has found a company called Veteran Tours that will fly him in a helicopter over the forest where his brother was killed.

After almost four decades of not knowing exactly how his brother died, said Roberts, he is excited to finally put the last pieces together.

“It’s been 39 years of not really knowing beyond the small lines of the telegram,” said Roberts.

Since the wall came, said Roberts, veterans have contacted him, encouraging his trip. Friends, he added, have expressed their concern that he might try to actually walk to where his brother was killed.

“I’m not going to go traipsing through the forest,” said Roberts. The helicopter ride, he added, will be more than enough.

“To me, I’ll call that happy,” said Roberts. “That’s all I need. That will pretty much finish the closure for me. Then it will be time to get a dog and settle down.”

‘I’ve been blessed’

About a year ago, Cape Elizabeth School Board member Kevin Sweeney learned he needed a kidney transplant. After six months of dialysis, Sweeney was delighted – and surprised – to learn that a near-perfect match was available.

In March, Sweeney, 54, underwent successful kidney transplant surgery. Now, almost a year later, he is serving on the school board and is back to college, as a student at Southern Maine Community College.

“I’m getting better and better every day,” said Sweeney, a retired financial consultant.

While on dialysis waiting for a new kidney, said Sweeney, he was inspired by the social workers who came to offer support to patients. The only problem, said Sweeney, was that nearly all of the social workers were women, and many male patients were hesitant to open up to them. He returned to school to learn the skills he will need to help counsel patients.

“It’s keeping me active in a positive, proactive fashion,” said Sweeney. “I’ve been blessed. I always pay it forward – I figure that’s why I got the kidney in six months.”

Last March, as a way to give thanks for the donated kidney, Sweeney said he would do his best to help the local chapter of the National Kidney Foundation. Now, in addition to schoolwork and his board duties, Sweeney gives occasional talks for foundation events.

“I could just as easily be sitting around saying woe is me,” said Sweeney. Going back to school has given him motivation.

“I enjoy listening to the kids,” he said. “I’m just having a blast there at college.”