Last Valentine Poem

The drone of the Herc C-130 echoed within his helmet. Pencil in hand jotting down some jibberish on a piece of paper the Chief looked contemplative. He always got away with not trimming his beard giving an appearance of a gruffy old dog. He had served near thirty years and they were booting him out.

Hearing the drop call, placing the paper in a plastic bag, tucking it in his left breast pocket, he readied himself. This was to be his last mission. Showing off his garden to us many times, beer was plentiful, though he didn’t drink.

The wet drop went right on cue. We were ashore and headed for the village some 10 clicks east. Seemed like eternity to get there. Trudging through the rugged terrain we arrived without haste. The CO whispered directions to the team. Our mission was an extraction of a key intel character needed to be got.

The chief would be our arch angel today with the bulky sniper rifle. Everything went as the CO said it would then all hell broke loose. Close fighting pounded us then as quickly as it started it ended. We knew the chief did his job.

Merging on the meet point the ‘duck’ was standing tall and still. At his feet was the Chief. When the CO arrived he barked,” Tagert – Jensen you got the Chief, move out.” Leaving the 50 cal rifle behind we made haste to the distant shore.

Sitting in the wet about 10 minutes the Chinook was soon pulling us out of the murky waters. About half way into the flight to the carrier, leaning over I pulled the plastic bag from his pocket. Knowing we always wrote our last letter home I had no idea what to expect.

Unfolding the half crumpled paper I began to read , , ,

Tonight is icy, yet you warm it like gentle candle light,

Nearing another quest, my mind is empty except for your sweet scent,

Though my buddy is harsh and cold, I only feel your affection and love,

The whirring overhead is stark reality, I only hear your serene whispers in my ear.

My dearest, your name is my honor, your memory is my courage,

The poem wasn’t finished. I didn’t know who she was either. Even though the old Chief shared his home time and time again, he never spoke of her. Never said he was ever married, but he is who we all went to for advice. Our kids stood in awe of him laughing at his funny antics. Good for a smile in any situation I wish he were with me now.

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