Posted on 12/03/2004 2:01:07 PM PST by Steve Newton
CHRISTMAS THE OLD SERGEANT SERIES By Steve Newton (35)
Christmas was coming soon and many of the soldiers were starting to feel the effects of “holiday homesickness.” Since the old sergeant had no family he was somewhat immune but he recognized the symptoms in his men. Many had taken to rereading old letters. They also had become morose and tended to hang by themselves more often than not.
(Excerpt) Read more at steven.newton1.home.att.net ...
Christmas was coming soon and many of the soldiers were starting to feel the effects of “holiday homesickness.” Since the old sergeant had no family he was somewhat immune but he recognized the symptoms in his men. Many had taken to rereading old letters. They also had become morose and tended to hang by themselves more often than not.
Oh boy, the old sergeant thought. Low morale means more body bags. He would have to give this some thought. He walked back to his old make shift office and got a line to an old friend of his, a Chief in the Navy.
The next day a mysterious truck arrived, made all the more mysterious because it bore several Navy petty officers who unloaded the truck putting box after box into the sergeants office which was part of an old building. When the men asked about the shipment, the Chief petty officer referred them to the sergeant, which of course meant that it was none of their business. The men’s curiosity was almost too much to bear and it was compounded by the fact that the old sergeant and the Navy Chief shook hands and conversed like old friends.
That afternoon the men were again surprised by the arrival of a team of Navy Seabees. They went into the sergeant’s office and stayed for several hours until they suddenly packed up and left as silently as they had come. By this time one of the goon squad could take it no more and knocked on the sergeants door. “Sergeant, permission to come in?” ‘NO! AND WHAT DO YOU WANT?’ “Uh, never mind sergeant.” “THEN GO AWAY!” “YES SERGEANT!”
The next day was Christmas Eve and the men had made a substitute Christmas tree out of old packing crate wood. It looked more like a teepee but they had painted it green and hung spent rifle brass on it for decorations. The sergeant had been hard to find and the platoon was feeling very sorry for their selves. “Not even a hot meal this year, one man grumbled.” “Yeah, another said. No mail, no Christmas food and no leave. What a bummer”
Toward evening time the sergeant made an appearance by the “tree.” “Pretty nice tree you guys have got here,” the sergeant said. “Yeah, sergeant, I guess,” one of the men said. “Hum. I tell ya what boys. Why don’t all of you spend Christmas with me? Get the rest of the platoon and form up in front of my office in an hour.”
An hour later as the very curious men stood at attention the sergeant came out of his office and looked them up and down. “You know, you guys really are the ugliest group I have ever seen. However, an officer in a funny red suit has informed me that you have all been good little soldiers this year. So, lets all go inside.”
As the whole platoon started to file into the sergeants office, they noticed that a door leading into the rest of the building had been added. The sergeant’s office looked the same but when they entered the building proper, the platoon stopped and stared in utter amazement. The whole ground floor had been decorated with Christmas ornaments. Tables lined one wall filled with hot food and most surprising of all, on the other wall was a bank of telephones.
The old sergeant got up on a chair as the men gathered around to hear what he had to say. “Ok, ladies. I have taken us off the duty roster for the next 24 hours. Here’s what we have. That bank of phones will only operate for the next 12 hours. After that there gone. I suggest that you all call your families because they are expecting to hear from you. Your mail is on the center table, there is enough food for everyone to have seconds and the cooler in the corner contains, uh, liquid refreshments which are limited to two each.”
At about this time they heard a strange but somehow familiar voice. HO, HO HO came a yell. MERRY CHRISTMAS! A man in a red died cami uniform with a big white beard made out of shaving cream came in carrying a huge bag. He went around handing out presents and joking with the men. Actually, the Padre made a good Santa.
As the men spread out making phone calls, grabbing a beer and collecting presents, the old sergeant headed back out to his office and closed the door. The men didn’t seem to need or particularly want him around right now. It was their time. He sat at his chair and pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels and a new cigar. The night wore on and he smiled when he heard the men signing Silent Night.
As the old sergeant smoked and drank he thought of Christmas past when he was young. The joy of parents and family sitting next to a warm fire while his father had read them the true story of Christmas out of the Bible. Now he had nobody and he started to feel just a little lonely himself. Suddenly he hears a rustling outside his door. Grabbing his sidearm he tore the door open. Not a soul in sight. And he just knew he had heard bells. “Hum, had enough Jack for one night he thought.” As he started to close the door he glanced down.
There on the sand was a box. Surprised he picked up the box and went back to his chair and set the box on his desk to examine it. It was beautifully wrapped with a huge red bow. On the tag it simply said “SARGE.” He opened the present and inside was a brand new semi automatic Colt .45. It was hand engraved and had his name and outfit cut into the grips. It was one magnificent weapon. As his eyes started to tear up he found a card.
It said: “From your platoon. We would follow you into hell.”
Steve Newton
NEWTON’S BEST OF THE BEST MILITARY SITE HOME OF THE “OLD SERGEANT SERIES” AND “PATTON SPEAKS” http://steven.newton1.home.att.net/
steven.newton1@att.net
The “Old Sergeant” Series is copyright protected but may be used if the contents are not changed and the Web Site remains listed. The Old Sergeant is fictional and is used to illustrate a point or make a statement. ANY resemblance to a person living or dead is coincidental and unintentional.
Maybe I'm turning into an old softie in my old age, but I'm rather enjoying these Old Sarge stories ;0)
Chad:
Thank you and I hope you enjoy them. I write them for you guys.
Steve
So, when is the Old Sarge Book coming out :)
Chad you know you almost have me talked into it.
I have even been looking for a publisher.
Now, isn't that sick?
Steve
Another option would be just self-publish it via something like Cafe Press...
But anyway, I like the stories... :)
Yes, I've looked into that also. But lack of funds prevent me from doing that.
Glad you like them buddy.
Steve
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.