Crazy An "Old Sergeant" story

While the “Old Sergeant” is a fictional character he does represent the best of the best for good leaders of men. I dedicate this story to one of those real hero’s. God bless SSG Jennings.

The Soldier had been in the hospital for some time. He couldn’t remember exactly how long because they kept him so drugged up that he didn’t know where he was.

CRAZY?

While the “Old Sergeant” is a fictional character he does represent the best of the best for good leaders of men. I dedicate this story to one of those real hero’s. God bless SSG Jennings.

The Soldier had been in the hospital for some time. He couldn’t remember exactly how long because they kept him so drugged up that he didn’t know where he was.

He remembered the fire fight and his best friend getting both legs blown off by an IED. He also remembered trying to put his friend’s legs back on with a roll of duck tape. He had apparently gotten them mixed up because when he was done he saw he had the right and left leg reversed.

He even remembered the screaming. Some of it his own. Finally doc had arrived and they were both medivaced out. He hadn’t seen his friend since he’d been locked up in the mental ward.

Before the drugs, they’d told him he had broken under the strain and had severe PTSD among other things. He had tried to explain that if they would just let him see his friend he could put his legs back the way they belonged. Then the drugs had started.

They had taken away everything that he might have used to hurt himself and put him on suicide watch, which meant that someone was sitting in a chair across from him 24 hours a day.

After that he had been allowed to enter the “population” of the mental hospital but by that time the drugs had started to affect him so deeply he no longer cared what they did to him.

The doctor had asked about his family and he’d told him that the only family he had was his brother, whose legs he’d gotten mixed up, and his platoon. They asked about a wife and children, none of which he had. Or at least could remember.

They were getting ready to send him to Germany and then on to the States. If he would’ve had the energy he might have tried to escape because he simply couldn’t leave his family alone. They needed him.

As he sat slumped over in his wheel chair he finally had more than he could stand. He started to scream. He screamed and screamed until they had him on the floor about to administer another shot when everything stopped.

Everyone moved away from him like he was about to explode. When he looked up and his eyes focused he saw the biggest, meanest looking man he had ever seen, standing over him with his carbine in his hands. He almost cried for joy.

“Pappy? Is that really you?” He said.

“Yeah kid. I’m here. Question is why are YOU here? Ain’t you AWOL or something son?”

“Pappy. They say I’m crazy and they want to send me back. Please don’t let them do that!”

“Ok, folks everyone just go on back to what you were doing.” Pappy said. “I can take care of the kid here until the doctor shows up. HOLD IT! Not you nurse. You have an antidote for all the drugs in his system?”

“Sergeant, I suppose we could give him a stimulant but I can’t do that without a doctor’s orders.” The nurse said.

“Yes and your not going to get them,” a tall thin major said walking up on the scene. “And what is going on in my hospital sergeant? This man is very ill and he needs institutionalized.”

“Doc, I am not going to argue with you.” Pappy said. “But before I go I AM going to talk with this Soldier and I’m going to talk with him with no drugs in his system. You remember sir, this may be your hospital but this is MY Soldier.”

The major eyed the old sergeant and the rifle in his hands. Shaking his head he nodded to the nurse who administered a shot. The old sergeant pulled the Soldier to his feet and slapped him across the face. As the injection and the pain of being struck started to take effect the Soldiers eyes started to clear.

“Ok son. Let’s you, the doc and I go outside for a few minutes.”

Even thought the doctor wanted to object he followed them outside where the Soldier sat on a bench shaking his head as if trying to clear it.

“Kid you ok?” Pappy said.

“No he is certainly NOT ok sergeant. This Soldier has had a complete breakdown and is suffering from PTSD. He MUST be hospitalized. Sergeant he doesn’t even remember his family or wife. He is sick and he’s not going anywhere.” The doctor almost screamed.

Pappy turned around to face the doctor. “Doc, have you even read his file? This Soldier is an orphan. He has no wife or family except us. Now I tell you what I’m going to do sir. I’m going to take this Soldier home. If he isn’t better in a week I will bring him back myself. Until then sir, you stand down or call the M.P.’s because we’re leaving.”

As the old sergeant helped the kid to the parking lot he was met by the whole 3rd squad. “Hey crazy boy! You ok? One called out. Then they all surrounded the kid and held him while he cried his eyes out. Pappy noticed several other men crying themselves.

“Ok men. Get him a uniform then stop by the Green Zone and get the kid drunk. Then take him home. He’s with his family. He’ll be ok now.”

And so he was.

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.