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 honored 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 with me.
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 drank 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 ensure he would get home.


He told me in my truck.
"I'm being booted out.
Doctors told me liver and kidney are gone.
I reached my goal.
I will join my friends soon.
I drank myself to death."
He gave 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

[Bubo]

Such a deeply sad, but wonderful tribute you have written for a man who had a deep affect on many, and I understand his need to lose himself in drink, shut the door on horrors, but be there for others, you have such a compassionate way of writing........I am sure he would have been so touched and moved by this poem....

[The Warrior Poet]

When I got to Bragg in October, 1986, my first battalion CSM was an old vet. They forced him to retire because of his failing health. A year after that, they found him sitting in front of the TV in his living room half-dead, dressed in his BDUs, surrounded by empty beer cans and Jack Daniels bottles.

He died of cancer not too long after that.

[The Analog Kid]

Very poignant story telling Coyote. The old soldier has seen much pain and he chooses to drink it away. Understandable.

[bree]

the last line is absolute beauty, "Take care of each other in War and peace", I just love it. This is a brilliant and sad poem, but it is one that is certainly not a chore to read! amazing work :)

[Dani]

There were some little mistakes, but nothing you should really worry about because they didn't take away from the poem or what it was trying to say. I'm usually hesitant to read long poems (including my own) late at night, but I'm glad I read this one. It was worth every word.

[JENY]

A very touching story…
Very touching….
we ordinary people confined to domestic worries…are totally unaware of life of soldiers….
Thanks for sharing…
But…I would like to point out that….
There are some grammar mistakes….
If you correct it…
It will save the flow of reading…But..this is an outstanding theme…
That you have chosen….

[Allison]

Good memories :-) I'm glad that you can remember him like this

[Magdelena]

What a piece you brought forth. It held such wonder inside it.. I salute all the ones who go forth and fight for our country, our right to live.. They are the trues heroes.. You made me feel as if i was there with you as I read each line.. Way to go.. Mistakes? Heck.. You made this into a masterpiece.

Mags xx

[MaddyHi]

This is very unique! It gives off sources of sadness and powerfullness at the same time. Very nice story.

[Bud]

Soldiers, no matter how great or small their presence, are blessed/cursed in life. The comforting veil that blinds the rest of the world is lifted, exposing all the evils in life to them long before their time. Peace has a complete other meaning than what the masses know of. I would say the truest of it's meaning resides with the soldiers, though most never have the mercy of knowing peace personally...
Your stories are always embedded with moral messages that really go straight to the heart and soul of the reader. Important messages that are very much in need now, as much as anytime in history. They always leave the reader with many thoughts to ponder. Perhaps, even left feeling a little less burdened by problems they may come to realize are petty in nature compared to those of the soldier. Thank you for sharing.