THE ANGEL. THE "OLD SERGEANT SERIES" CONTINUES

The old sergeant was again leading his platoon through the slums of another town. Mosel, this time and thought they had Kurdish friends here they also had terrorists. The kind that would not stand and fight but hid like cowards and planted bombs. “Yeah, big brave terrorists,” the old sergeant thought.

THE ANGEL THE OLD SERGEANT SERIES By Steve Newton (23)

His platoon was spread out and he watched a new lieutenant that had joined up with them just the night before. They had been short an officer and had started the patrol without one. Lt Smith seemed to be a real combat veteran and unlike most of the officers the old sergeant knew, this one was down to earth and almost likable. He talked with the men, ate with them and listened to every word his sergeant’s said.

Night fell and the platoon carried on with their patrol. It was a moonless night and the night vision goggles came in handy although the old sergeant often preferred his own senses. As the sergeant started to round a corner he was suddenly grabbed from behind just as a bullet slammed into the air he had just vacated.

He turned around and Lt Smith said, “Whoa, soldier. Don’t want to lose my best platoon sergeant.” “Thanks Lt. You saved my bacon on that one,” the sergeant said. Smiling he motioned for the men to encircle the building. He also sent men into the building and up to the roof.

Soon the sound of small arms crackled through the night, most of it outgoing. Within an hour they had killed or captured what appeared to be a whole terrorist cell. One of the men found a huge cache of weapons and explosives and almost as important, a lap top computer and disks. It was a bad night for the rag heads.

Wore out, the platoon started heading back to their compound. The old sergeant walked up to the head of the men and drew up next to Lt Smith. “Sir, it was a great night for our side. I just want to say your ok in my book.” The Lt. smiled and said, “Always take care of your men sergeant.” “You bet, sir.”

The next morning back in their compound and after a few hours sleep, the old sergeant started to check on his men. All seemed well. “Sergeant,” one of his men yelled. “I’m old, not deaf soldier. What do you want?” “Well, sarge, I just wanted to tell you that the new Lt saved my life last night. I know you won’t believe this but he pulled me out of a room in that building just before it blew up from an IED.” “Yeah, the sergeant said, he is some combat soldier. He saved my life too.”

The sergeant walked over to the command area and spotted the company CO. “Sir, could I have a word with you?” “What is it sergeant?” “Well, sir I just wanted to say that our new platoon leader, Lt Smith saved at least two lives last night. He’s a great leader sir.” “What the hell are you talking about sergeant? I haven’t replaced our platoon leader yet. And there is no Lt Smith on our roster. Is this some kind of joke?”

The old sergeant got a far away look in his eyes as he remembered the last words the Lt had spoken to him. “No sir. The sergeant said. No, I don’t think it was a joke at all sir.”

Steve Newton

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