At peace at last

A story for a good friend. Soldiers need to remember the old timers who taught us respect and how to lead.

  

                      At peace at last

























The Soldiers gave him a 21 gun salute.
Only young and old Soldiers came to say goodbye.
Old Sergeant Major finally drank himself to death.
35years a Soldier left him waiting for death to come.


I met him a early morning walking into the base.
He told me they take your license away with 5 DWI's.
I told him I come this way everyday from my girlfriend.
I would be honor to pick him up.


He told me "You are alright with me Sergeant C
I will meet you at the gate."
I answer no problem Sergeant Major.


He laughed.
Told me to call him Paul in private.
He slapped my back and smiled.
"I will call you John, my friend."


He got demoted to my company.
He told me in private.
"I'm glad the Army kept me around.
I have no place to go."


He was my First Sergeant now.
At the company picnic.
We partnered up and kick everyone a*s in horse shoes.
We sat and talks.
He told me. " I will be dead soon.
What will be left of me?
Will you remember me Sergeant C? "

I wrapped my arm around him.
I told him you were with my father on the boat to Korea.
Us young Soldiers need to take care of the old one.
He smiled.


A young Soldier was going to lose everything.
First Sergeant asked what do you need?
The young Soldier told him too damn much.
He looked at me.
Handed me his checkbook.
Told me take him home and pay all his bills.


He told me write his name for him on the checks.
Add it up right.


He has close to $30, 000 in a checking account.
I paid the debts of the Soldiers.
The Soldier and the wife were very thankful.
I asked them never to say a word.
First Sergeant wants this to be private.


I drove him home now.
He was looking bad now.
The whiskey and beer would kill him soon.


I asked him to quit drinking for  a while.
He looked to the ocean in our view.
He tells me.
"Drinking blind me from the s**t I have seen.
Wasn't for you s**t head Soldiers.
I would have no purpose."


He dranked at the bar around the corner from his small apartment.
I started to meet him there.
He had many friends.
Old Timers who had retire.
He loved to sing Hank William, Jr.


Karaoke was his favorite.
It was funny to see this 6 foot 4 inch man
sing and dance to the old music.
I would drink slow to insure he would get home.


He told me in my truck.
"I'm being booted out.
Doctors told me liver and kidney are gone.
I reach my goal.
I will join my friends soon.
I drank myself to death."
He gives me a big Texas smile.
"Don't worry John.
I will save you a seat.
Soldiers must take care of Soldiers."


I became good friends with him.
We drank together till one day he told me.
"I can't walk anymore.
Need  a Soldier to do his duty.
Take care of a old Soldier."
 

I asked what did you need?
He smiled.
Told me.
"Bring me cold beer and whiskey to my home.
Don't ever pity me.
Soldier must die.
Some are lucky.
They died on the battlefield."


I sat with many old timers.
They came by to show respect.
We drank and laugh by the Sergeant Major bed.
He was content to be with Soldiers.


I got a call at work.
Old Sergeant Major was dead.
He left a note.
Sergeant C. will take care of my final desires in my Will.


He left me a letter with a thousand dollars.
"This is for your inconvenience.
My Will is simple.
Half my money to the Old Soldier home.
The other half to Red Cross."


At least 200 Soldier stood shoulder to shoulder.
Most of us were crying when Taps was played.
I smiled and thought what would the old Sergeant Major say.


He would tell us.
 Be good Soldiers.
Take care of each other in War and peace.


         Coyote
         22 January 2010  

Author's Note

Please advice me of mistakes. Never too old to learn.
Coyote

Reviews

[Linear]

Its all to much to see, wasted lives spread over many killing fields, drink may help to erase but cant vanquish the memories of deeds done.
then having survived, to be left, for no purpose, people shun you, dont wish to no, just want you to go.
Its all just to much for me.

heartfelt writing indeed

[KimLove "The Beautiful ..]

Coyote, that was too truly amazing and touching to notice any mistakes. Who would have ever thought that soilders make the best writers, but then again you write from your heart and that is what I feel make the best poems and stories. Yours always managed to touch my very heart at its core. Soilders really are amazing Men. My best friend is a Marine and I have never met a more loving caring man in my life. God Bless you Coyote on this holiday weekend. xo

[bbb]

This is another truly moving work. So many good men have gone on, and they never received the respect they deserved. The only thing I really noticed that should be edited is that some of the story is written in past tense, some in present. I would stay with one tense just to make the story flow better. All in all, a work well done.

[hannahjchin]

I completely read past the mistakes because of how incredible this was,
mightymorgs left good advice if you wanted to correct it.

thanks for sharing this

[Kenneth The Poet]

This is a tribute to the doughboys who literally gave their lives to the machine. I like it.

[Ladysue]

You always have such wonderful stories that bring depth of meaning in life...this was very gripping and so moving...excellent story telling...

[abhas]

great story... great words... great poem...

[ShaneBerry]

this was heart wrenching, you should never forget the good men you served with. and i have once heard men say you cannot find the same type of bond you make in the military,in civilian life. this was an excellent write as always Coyote, very deep and very true! great work my friend!

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[Searching 4 Serenity]

Nice story. I can understand why so many on this site would admire this. There's no better way to give a solute to someone than to write a commemorable piece about them.

[cfix]

so very touching. your last three lines really moved me.
This is amazing Coyote.