Nearly twenty years ago, I got a phone call notifying me of my "on alert" status. Not entirely unexpected, but still a shock, that my Army Guard unit would be sent to Gulf War I, including me. The weekend would be anxious busy work, packing and paperwork, dark worry all around. At some point in that confused timeline, a ritual took place, and our CO, a much despised gung-ho captain (talk of 'fragging' him floated immediately), was most ceremoniously replaced by Captain E. Way too smart for the Army, or the local police (we sort of knew he worked undercover at times), not much loved among the upper echelons of the State Guard as a "loose cannon", a man of humor and competence, the kind of good man all agreed they would take a bullet for. Preferably not, of course, but if required... well, yeah. He, and the more phlegmatic, but equally intelligent and competent First Sergeant W, made a team we would stand behind. Not that we expected any part of a war to be any easier, but at least knowing we were not following idiots who would make it harder in petty, vindictive ways, made it all, well, bearable.
It turned out to be a footnote war for us, but we didn't know that then. We were bracing ourselves for Vietnam redux, or Gulf War II as it is now. If you are on the road to hell, not having a drunken moron, or malicious fool at the wheel really does help.
This week, the world seems less ugly than it did last week.
6 comments:
Well placed parallel.
Yes, a thought-provoking story indeed.
I love this. Yes, the world DOES seem less ugly than it did a week ago. I'm hopeful for the future.
I'd have to distrust Capt. E. Way; said aloud the name sounds Sinatra on the web: "I did it eee...way" (ie, via email).
I worry too about the phrase "take a bullet for". Yes it's concise, vivid and understandable but for me the desire to qualify creeps in: "I'd strive manfully not to but in the end, if I really had to, then I suppose, faute de mieux, I'd have no other choice but to... (Gulp!) take one."
Following idiots is hard. In times of plenty the magazine business creates the job of publisher: someone who co-ordinates the sales and editorial functions. Since nearly all publishers are ad managers promoted one level above their competence their ability to understand editorial matters (without their lips moving) is limited. Happily, in times of downturn, the job is the first to be dispensed with.
I note "made a team we could stand behind". Which sounds as if bullet-taking may not have been the first priority.
Yes. Yes.
Thank you for telling your story. There are more and more women who can speak of the experience of having been in the military. The world does seem changed this week.
Nearly twenty years ago.
There was the horror of knowing that we were at war again. For me, there had been immense relief in April 1975 when we left Vietnam, but it was followed by a numbness that lasted until Gulf War I. After the numbness ended, I felt the grief that had been waiting all that time. It took much longer for anger and love to return.
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