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The Old Sergeants platoon had a rare day off and he was using the time to relax. He was laying up against the fence at their FOB soaking up the sun and watching some of the men playing sand lot baseball. They were having a great time. Dog was at his side.

It's been a while since I have posted an "Old Sergeant" story for my FR friends. I hope you enjoy this one and I pray it gives food for thought.

Claire adjusted the night vision goggles and again scanned the desert horizon carefully. Thus far it had been a very quiet night. Nothing but the desert wind continually stirred the silence.

Pappy folded the newspaper he had been browsing as he had made his way along the path from his quarters to his office, tucked it under his arm and reached for the knob on his office door.

Well I hope I haven't posted this before. Anyway, a nite nite story for everyone. God bless us all.

The Old Sergeant was sitting at his make shift desk drinking a Jack, smoking and looking through a photo album that Sam had sent to him from Missouri. Dog was in his corner sleeping.

The Soldier left the States under circumstances that made his mind shut down every time he thought of it. When his wife found out that he was going to be deployed she had left him taking their two children. Being an orphan they were all the family he had and the thought of them not being there when he returned home was crushing.

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.

Dog had been with the outfit for some time now and even though they had figured out his name, he was still just “dog.” To the enemy, he was their worst nightmare. Dog actually liked the taste of human blood and on more than one occasion had actually taken a bite out of a terrorist. And swallowed it. He was the most feared animal in all of Iraq.

TEETH The old sergeant and his platoon were patrolling the road to Baghdad Airport and he wasn’t happy about it. They had pulled this duty before and it was hard and dangerous work. But someone had to do it.

The old sergeant platoon was patrolling in an area they had never been before and one of the goon squad was quick to point out that “Kilroy” had already been here. The age old sign of “KILROY WAS HERE” was chalked onto the side of a burned out building.

Folks, Thanks to your help the Silver Star Service Flag for our honored wounded is now available. If you know of any families or wounded service members, they can go here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SilverStarFamiliesofAmerica/join Membership is Free to the wounded and their families. Since the organization is small at this time, we cannot pay for the Silver Stars but we can help you obtain them. God bless all and I hope you enjoy this new "Old Sergeant." Chief Steve Newton (ret)

MEMORIAL DAY Dedicated to Jack Jones 508th Airborne Infantry, Korea Died May 26th 2005 We will join you soon brother The old sergeant was walking across their compound when a member of the goon squad came running up. “Pappy! Have you got a minute? What are we going to do for Memorial Day? You got a party planned? What are we going------? The sergeant held up his hand for silence. “You know, you ask more questions than any kid I have ever seen. Do you want to know why the sky is blue, asshole? Go away and-------. No, I tell...

TO MY FRIENDS AT FREE REPUBLIC Well, sometimes you’re right and sometimes your wrong. When I came to you all for support of the Silver Star Service Flag for our honored wounded, many of you suggested that I should just “DO IT!” While still working to get signatures for a petition to get Congressional recognition, I decided to take your advice. (http://www.petitiononline.com/12251952/petition.html) I wanted you all to be the first to know that we have now formed THE SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF AMERICA. (Temporary Site: http://steven.newton6.home.att.net/) and http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SilverStarFamiliesofAmerica/join I just decided that years waiting for legislation was too long. Now...

ON THE OTHER SIDE The Padre and the Old Sergeant The Padre was sitting in his office struggling with a religious problem. He never knew how to adequately talk with a soldier that was dying. He would say all the right words and comfort them as best he could but he always felt an inadequacy trying to explain where they were going after death. And many of them wanted to know.

The old sergeant and his platoon were on patrol when the sergeant spotted a small mongrel puppy that appeared to be the runt of the litter. It looked as if it was also wounded because blood was flowing down its left front leg in rivers. The sergeant had a soft spot for animals but he never showed it and he didn’t want to this time either. “Doc!” The sergeant yelled.

New Old Sergeant posted

The old sergeant was sitting in his old makeshift office when a knock on the door took his mind off the pile of paperwork sitting in front of him. “Come!” The sergeant growled. The 2nd squad leader came in and the sergeant motioned for him to have a seat. “So what’s up now? Someone stealing toilet paper again?

Iraqi Election The old sergeant was sitting at his desk and he was in a contemplative mood after the success of the Iraqi elections. His squad leaders were sitting around his office for their daily briefing and the sergeant started on one of his rare speeches. “There has been many times in my life when I was proud. Of something or someone but today I am proud for some very different reasons. I am proud of the Iraqi’s for standing up to the terrorists and their country and proving once and for all that freedom does not belong to just...

DYING The old sergeants platoon had just fought an engagement against a group of terrorists that had ambushed them just outside the Western part of Baghdad. The rag heads had completely surprised them and the sergeant blamed himself. It was a coordinated attack using an IED and terrorists attacking from both directions using pick up trucks with steel plating welded across the windows and doors.