Post by bdc on Oct 6, 2012 0:16:36 GMT -5
I’m sitting here on a military flight headed to the east coast; wondering why. Am I getting too old for this? Shouldn’t I just retire on my military pension and hide away in some sleepy little town in mid-America? I mean, it’s what we fight for, right? Man, my legs killing me. These long flights are killer.
As I rub my leg, feeling the shrapnel still in there, I remember the shot I took that put it there. Saved that kids life. Was it worth it? Hell yeah, it was.
“Watch your mouth”, I scold myself, even though I didn’t vocalize anything.
I look over at John Mercy who can literally sleep anywhere. I remember that age. I could too. HECK, I thought I was invulnerable. Sometimes, still think I am. But wrestling? No kind of life for a disabled military man.
“Sir? Can I sit down?” , a voice interrupts my mulling.
I look up into this cherub like face of what looks like a new recruit; green as grass.
“Sure, take a load off, soldier.” I wave my hand inviting the young man to sit.
He sits and sinks in. But something else seems to be sinking in. The look on his face screams uncertainty.
I decide to break the uncomfortable silence, “First tour of duty, soldier?”
He doesn’t even look over at me, but answers, “Yeah. VERY first.”
“Got your deployment papers?” I asked knowing.
He smiles nervously, “Yeah. I ship out to Afghanistan in two days. Just said bye to my new bride and, now, I’m already headed out. I can’t believe it. I figured I’d at least get some time stateside.”
“New bride? Just married?” I asked knowing I should step away from this conversation.
“Yeah. She’s going to be the mother of my baby. I figured I’d better make it legal like what with me going overseas and stuff.”
“Well, it’s the appropriate thing to do. I respect you for that, son.” Is all I could muster.
Things get quiet for a while and then he asks, “Sir, you’re THE PATRIOT, aren’t you?”
I’m a little astonished someone his age knows me, “Yes, son, I am.”
He turns and holds his hand out, “Well, I for one would like to thank you, sir. My Father told me all about you. And you holding up the standard of America, well, it makes me proud to be an American. I mean, considering your story and all.”
I look down at his hand and freeze for a moment.
Then, I grab his hand and squeeze it and look him dead in the eye, “SON, it is I who should THANK you. To see one so young, so willing to give his all for his country and what it stands for…well, it does an old man proud!”
“Awe no, sir. I’m nobody. I mean, you’re an American hero…”
I cut him off and give him a scolding look through my mask, “You sir, are the HERO and I thank you for your service! My time is over. You are the PATRIOT now!”
“Patriot, sir? Nah. I’m just doing what needs to be done. And you inspire me to do that! I mean, holding high the cause of FREEDOM and LIBERTY. Waving ole glory. It just brings a tear to my eye.”
I never let go of his hand and, now, I’VE got a tear in my eye, “And I promise, SON, that I will never stop carrying the STARS and STRIPES around the country and ring liberty’s bell every chance I get!”
All I could think during the rest of the flight was the answer to all my doubts I came onto the plane with.
Oh, yes, it was worth it! And it had never been more clear WHY I was doing what I was doing.
As I rub my leg, feeling the shrapnel still in there, I remember the shot I took that put it there. Saved that kids life. Was it worth it? Hell yeah, it was.
“Watch your mouth”, I scold myself, even though I didn’t vocalize anything.
I look over at John Mercy who can literally sleep anywhere. I remember that age. I could too. HECK, I thought I was invulnerable. Sometimes, still think I am. But wrestling? No kind of life for a disabled military man.
“Sir? Can I sit down?” , a voice interrupts my mulling.
I look up into this cherub like face of what looks like a new recruit; green as grass.
“Sure, take a load off, soldier.” I wave my hand inviting the young man to sit.
He sits and sinks in. But something else seems to be sinking in. The look on his face screams uncertainty.
I decide to break the uncomfortable silence, “First tour of duty, soldier?”
He doesn’t even look over at me, but answers, “Yeah. VERY first.”
“Got your deployment papers?” I asked knowing.
He smiles nervously, “Yeah. I ship out to Afghanistan in two days. Just said bye to my new bride and, now, I’m already headed out. I can’t believe it. I figured I’d at least get some time stateside.”
“New bride? Just married?” I asked knowing I should step away from this conversation.
“Yeah. She’s going to be the mother of my baby. I figured I’d better make it legal like what with me going overseas and stuff.”
“Well, it’s the appropriate thing to do. I respect you for that, son.” Is all I could muster.
Things get quiet for a while and then he asks, “Sir, you’re THE PATRIOT, aren’t you?”
I’m a little astonished someone his age knows me, “Yes, son, I am.”
He turns and holds his hand out, “Well, I for one would like to thank you, sir. My Father told me all about you. And you holding up the standard of America, well, it makes me proud to be an American. I mean, considering your story and all.”
I look down at his hand and freeze for a moment.
Then, I grab his hand and squeeze it and look him dead in the eye, “SON, it is I who should THANK you. To see one so young, so willing to give his all for his country and what it stands for…well, it does an old man proud!”
“Awe no, sir. I’m nobody. I mean, you’re an American hero…”
I cut him off and give him a scolding look through my mask, “You sir, are the HERO and I thank you for your service! My time is over. You are the PATRIOT now!”
“Patriot, sir? Nah. I’m just doing what needs to be done. And you inspire me to do that! I mean, holding high the cause of FREEDOM and LIBERTY. Waving ole glory. It just brings a tear to my eye.”
I never let go of his hand and, now, I’VE got a tear in my eye, “And I promise, SON, that I will never stop carrying the STARS and STRIPES around the country and ring liberty’s bell every chance I get!”
All I could think during the rest of the flight was the answer to all my doubts I came onto the plane with.
Oh, yes, it was worth it! And it had never been more clear WHY I was doing what I was doing.