One night after bed check, two guys from fourth squad sneaked out and decided to go into San Antonio midweek. They had some girls from the nursing academy waiting for them and were off on their way. The person on fire guard duty did a routine walk through before his shift ended and noticed them gone. He did the right thing and reported it to the duty sergeant downstairs. This was around one in the morning and the rest of us weren't aware of what was going on until our squad bay lights went on and we were ordered to stand by our bunks for a head count. I gathered my wits and began the count of my squad, all accounted for thankfully. The two missing soldiers were nowhere to be found in the immediate area, and we were all released to continue sleeping. No one was sure if the two had went AWOL or just went for a night out until about 0300 hours when they were caught trying to get back in the door they had rigged to open. During the search, the duty sergeant found the door cracked open and shut it, the two soldiers now had to walk right past the CQ area and go up the stairs to the barracks. The duty sergeant, however, was waiting outside. We all found out the next morning that the pair were taken to the CQ office and Drill Sergeant Walls was called in to confront them. They were absent during PT and up until the first formation after breakfast. The two privates ended up getting Article 15's and all privileges revoked for the duration of their time at Fort Sam for their evening away, and apparently, this had happened before, only this time they got caught. This close to making it and they had to screw it all up.
Not long after the debut of the Wiley Neckbones lone live performance, Bull was put in a recycle holding platoon due to his failing grades, meaning he would practically have to start over with his training. JB was getting close to doing his clinical trials at the post hospital and wouldn't be as free, so the band broke up. The music was an escape for me, but the time I spent with Kim made up for the loss. I really cared a lot for her and was rather convinced the pairing would last beyond San Antonio, she would write home to mom from time to time in an attempt to get to know her and the rest of the family. We spent every free moment we could together, life on that end of the spectrum was great. Now that the band was over, we could spend time at the Hacienda watching movies and being just us.
Mid February came along and Charlie Company was entering a new phase of training, we would spend all day at the field site during regular duty hours, our off time was a little more relaxed now, but still Senior Drill Sergeant Myers lurked about. I was called out of formation one morning to meet with him about the painting I had been asked to help do. He started berating me about why I hadn't started the job yet and I reminded him that he was supposed to provide all the materials and ample time to complete it. He stood there for a moment with a dumbfounded look on his face, then said, "Well, don't worry about it now, Captain Bowden is being deployed in a couple of weeks anyway. Carry on, soldier." Apparently, the senior drill sergeant had forgotten and thought he would relay his mistake to me in an attempt to shift blame, but when I called him out on it, he had no retort. I relished this moment of slight victory.
Our field time was as I said fun for me. We set up the forward aid stations and played war games , except that unlike basic training where we were the combatant troops, this time we were the medics treating the combatants. We set up casualty lanes under mock combat situations, complete with grenade simulators and 'enemy' forces and treated, then transported wounded comrades out of harm's way. This was like the videos we had seen in class, but without the reality that we could easily get our heads blown off. Everyone was busy doing tasks, if some weren't casualties, they were the enemy force, if not that, they worked at the aid station, and so forth. It was all good times and not mundane for once. One downfall for a few was the fact that in San Antonio, there are fire ants, and one trio of would be enemy forces mistakenly laid down in a den of them. They jumped up after several minutes yelping and batting at their clothes, it looked like they were batting out an invisible fire. The sergeant hurried them to the Salado Creek nearby and had them jump in. All this was pretty hysterical while we watched, but after they returned to the aid station area, we saw the real seriousness of the situation. Each person affected was covered with large red whelps all over them, not a fun thing in the San Antonio heat.
Around this time, we had to do another PT test, a diagnostic test to see where we stood as far as fitness levels. My shins hadn't bothered me too bad, the ibuprofen I was prescribed took most of the pain away. When it came time for the test, I wanted to give it my all and make sure I passed and not get recycled in the training process. I aced my push-ups and sit-ups and when it was time for the running part of the test, we went to a dirt track we hadn't ran on before. I still felt confident when I lined up to run, we were to do eight laps around the track to complete the 2 miles. The first three laps were not bad, I controlled my breathing and set into a good steady pace. Lap five brought a return of the pain in my lower legs. My pace slowed a bit and I still had three laps to go. As I crossed the start/finish line for lap six, my timer edged me on, telling me to pick up the pace. I tried as best as I could, but the pain tore into me. Lap seven I was hurting severely and thought I couldn't go on. As I rounded turn four, I saw several of my squad cheering me on, some ran out on the track along side of me to encourage me. I heard the time as I went by, I hadn't hit the danger mark yet and still had a chance to make it for the final lap. Miller and Chase were running beside me telling me to push it further. I was on the back stretch and thought my legs were going to fall off. I heard the timer yell out a time of 13 minutes, 4 seconds. I needed to make a time better than 14 minutes, 25 seconds and still had the front stretch to go. I was determined to make the time limit or better. I got out of turn four and took a deep breath and started a full out sprint, like I had done in basic training. My mind went to another plane, I couldn't feel my pain in my legs now, it seemed I was floating rather than running. Miller and Chase stayed with me as I sprinted the final leg and crossed the finish line at 14 minutes, 10 seconds, well slower than my previous PT test time of 13 minutes 8 seconds. After I slowed down and peeled off the track, I collapsed in the grass, my legs were throbbing in sharp pain. Drill Sergeant Tharpe came to me and asked if I needed transported to the clinic, I waved him off, and a couple guys helped me up. I limped behind the formation and left Miller in charge of third squad on the march back to the company area. Back at the barracks, Drill Sergeant Tharpe got me an ice pack to put on my legs. The pain had subsided some, but it still felt like the tendons were going to rip out of my shins. Walking up and down the stairs was a nightmare, but I was determined to walk the pain off. I was for damned sure I wasn't going to get this far and let my pain do me in.
One day in formation, we were notified we had received our EMT test results. Senior Drill Sergeant Myers went on a tirade about how Charlie Company standards were not met, that only 27% of the company had passed. We all did push-ups, and then were released to our drill sergeants, who had our individual results. As Drill Sergeant Walls called our names, we went to him and got the envelopes of doom. I got mine and was surprised to see that I had did remarkably well considering I had dosed off during the test. I had score a 53% on the exam, not quite the required 70%, but still, better than what I had suspected. Out of the entire fourth platoon, only six had passed the exam, but we were still allowed to continue with the course. We had an option to retest again, but the test was not until after our graduation, and we would be required to stay on post in a holding platoon until then. No one opted to do that, we all just wanted it to be over as soon as possible.
One afternoon, I called home to let everyone know I was alive, when mom asked if I had watched the news. We had a TV in the common room, but I rarely watched it. She was telling me that the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in Manhattan had been bombed. This was something significant, but had no idea how significant until later. This was post Desert Storm, we were at peace, right? The next week's formation started off with Senior Drill Sergeant Myers addressing the company about the bombing. He told us that Foxtrot Company, who was scheduled to graduate in just a few days would be reporting to units who were being activated due to the bombings and could be sent to front line combat duty. The reality of the duty was sinking in now...what if we went to war and I got sent out to combat duty? Holy Hell...what a concept.
One moment of freedom for me came when I heard on the local radio station that The Damn Yankees were going to be in San Antonio, along with the band Jackyl, and it was on a Saturday night. That weekend, Kim and I went into town and stayed close to the Riverwalk area. I was sure that the concert had sold out so I wasn't too concerned about it until Saturday when Kim asked if we were going. That evening, we decided to go out to eat and then try our luck with tickets. Unfortunately, by the time we finished eating, it was already 8 pm, the show started at 7:30. I decided to walk up to the ticket booth at the Majestic Theater anyway to try my luck. Sure enough, they had a couple seats still available and we could hear Jackyl performing from outside. Our seats ended up being on the second row on the left side of the stage, about 25 feet away from the band. Jackyl was finishing up their set with a song the singer described as being "a pretty little love song" entitled 'She Loves My Cock.' Their set was awesome and had some raw energy, the seats were great. This was Kim's first hard rock concert and she was kind of in a daze. Jackyl's set ended and the crowd started milling about, but we held onto our seats. After a few minutes, a tall blond haired woman came up and sat in the seat next to Kim, and a guy with long black hair sat next to me. I looked over and noticed I had just seen this guy on stage, he was Jackyl's guitar player. I talked to him a short time, told him I thought they were great and this was the first time I'd ever seen them. He autographed the back of my ticket and the lights started fading for the Damn Yankees' set. The Damn Yankees came out on fire with the song 'Don't Tread', and the crowd was loud. When the time came that singer Tommy Shaw introduced Ted Nugent, Kim elbowed me and said, "So that's Ted Nugent!" I laughed out loud at her for that.
The show was a good one, but there was some noticeable tension with Tommy and Ted, during an into to the song, 'Where You Going Now,' Ted erupted into a guitar frenzy of his own material, prompting Tommy to stop and tell Ted, "This is the Damn Yankees, not the Ted Nugent show." After the show, I was talking to Kim about how Jeff and I would go out behind Rupp Arena after concerts and meet members of the bands playing and get autographs. I was thinking aloud about where I should try to meet the band when the tall blond woman spoke up and said that the buses were parked out back. I thanked her and we started out to that area. Some time later, Jack Blades, the bass player, walked out and right past all of us waiting out by the back door, never signing an autograph or anything. Next was Tommy Shaw, who also strode past us all without acknowledging anyone. Michael Cartellone, the drummer, was next, he stopped and autographed whatever we wanted. I had my camera with me, but was unable to take pictures inside the theater, and asked Michael for a picture, he kindly obliged and disappeared into the bus. A few minutes later, the crowd erupted as Ted Nugent came out the backstage door and raised his arms, yelling, "San Antonio, y'all LOVE me!!!" By his side was that blond lady who had been sitting beside us for the show, turns out, she was Ted's wife. Ted only signed a couple autographs and darted across the road onto a black and white zebra striped tour bus. My observation of Ted, who was one of my favorite rock stars from the time I first heard 'Cat Scratch Fever' at around age 6, was that his ego was out of control, but damn he could make a guitar wail. The tensions we had witnessed onstage that night came to a head, I later learned, and The Damn Yankees broke up by the end of 1993. That evening would prove to be one of the final off post times Kim and I would spend together.
We had less than a week left at Fort Sam Houston. The focus now was the final field exercises and skills testing. We marched out every day to the field site across Salado Creek and spent all day out there, eating MRE's and living under field conditions. One day, a thunderstorm hit while we were on site and the torrential rains caused the creek to swell up to the top of its banks. As the day wore on, the rain got harder and didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon, so the decision was made that we would head back to the company area, but one problem loomed....The creek had now overtaken the low water bridge and was rolling violently. After some planning, one of the sergeants radioed someone and they arrived on the other side of the creek with a long rope. The overall distance across wasn't that great, but the raging water would be impossible to cross safely. The rope was tossed over, tied to a tree on our side and a Humvee on the other side. One by one, we single filed across the water holding on to that rope the whole way. It was scary but we all made it unharmed, but wet and cold.
Another task we were facing was the final inspection. We were all seasoned pros with cleaning the barracks by now, but this inspection would be the biggest one so far. Another task was the final PT Test. I was worried about that because of my shins, but was determined that it was not going to stop me. One thing that was weighing on my mind was the fact that soon, Kim and I would be parting ways, she would return to her home state of New York while I would be sent to who knows where. One night at the Hacienda, we had 'the talk.' She told me that she had been contacted by her ex-boyfriend and he was anxious to see her again when she got home. I found this a bit alarming, but the emotion of all that was going on overshadowed that feeling in me. Kim told me that no matter what, she wanted to be with me and would find a way for it to work out for us. It would be a heavy, uneasy week for me certainly, but the stresses of squad leader would come to a head once again.
One evening, the squad leaders were told by SSG Van Zant that we would have specific areas to clean in the barracks, and we needed to start on it as soon as possible so it wouldn't be such a task at the last minute, a good concept, I thought. I went back to relay the message to the squad, who at this point in the game, wanted to just bide the time and get it all over with. A few of us went to our designated place and started cleaning. I did a quick head count and noticed three who didn't join. I walked into the squad bay and there they were lying on their bunks with magazines or whatever else, relaxing while the rest worked their butts off. I told them that I needed them to help out, then walked back out of the room, fully expecting them to follow. After a minute of two, the group hadn't followed, so I returned to find them in the same places they were. I got louder in my tone and told them to get up and help out, again to no avail. I was beyond frustrated and went to SSG Van Zant as I should have, only to be told that "they are your soldiers, you get them motivated." I was beyond livid now and had enough. I walked back into the squad bay and now there were just two left in the room, the other one had got up and started helping. At this point, I blurted out something like, "Fine, you all got what you wanted, take this squad leader crap and toss it!" I stormed out and found Miller, who was cleaning the hallway and told him he could have the position, I was tired of it all. Miller stopped and looked at me in disbelief asking me how I could go down to the wire and just walk away. Staff Sergeant Van Zant apparently heard me and ordered me to his room. Great, another round...I was beyond ready for this one.
The staff sergeant veteran began by telling me that it was too late to up and quit and that I should just 'suck it up and drive on'. I was infuriated now, and just as I was ready to unleash, SSG Van Zant told me that he would take care of it, but I was not going to leave my post as squad leader. I went back to the squad room and he had the two privates locked up at attention giving them pure hell. He walked past me and patted me on the shoulder, never saying another word. The rest of the cleaning detail went unscathed.
The PT test came upon us at the first of the week. The entire 232nd Medical Battalion was taking the test and it took all morning to get over with. The run wasn't as bad now, we ran on a different track that wasn't near as harsh on my shins, plus I had bought new running shoes the week prior just for the final PT Test. I passed the test with a little better time on the run, but nothing spectacular, at least I passed either way. The next several days are a blur to me, we were so busy then trying to get everything ready for the inspections and end of class ceremonies. Kim and I spent as much time as we could outside of the company area, trying to hold on to what we had the best we could. One day, Drill Sergeant Walls came out and had a list of all of us and where our duty stations would be. One by one, names and places were read to all the active duty soldiers...Korea, Germany, Fort Lewis, Washington, the places seemed so far away. One soldier got a duty station in Hawaii, a place all of us envied. For the most part, everyone called out was going to either Germany or Korea, and when my name came up, I learned I was going to Germany. I was anxious to go there, but at the same time, Germany was a million miles from anything I knew, or anyone. I had kind of hoped to remain in the United States and maybe get stationed closer to home or even close to New York, but I couldn't change anything about it.
We wrapped up our field exercises and skills tests in this time, other than the diploma and official title, we were in essence, combat medics. I had made some great new friends while in the class, it would be sad to part ways with all of them. The Kentucky Connection was disbanding soon, we all vowed to keep in touch, exchanging home addresses in an attempt to have a line of communication. As a whole, we were all family now, I would miss them all. We did the whole change of address forms to have our mail forwarded home until we got our regular mailing addresses, all our class materials were turned in, the time in San Antonio was coming to an end. One day we saw a group of fresh faced soldiers doing a police call around Foxtrot Company's area, they had arrived a few days earlier and were in the holding company, the same as we were all those weeks ago. I smiled at them and called them suckers under my breath, they had a long ride ahead of them.
The night before our final inspection, we stripped and waxed the floors in the bays, each squad working together like they hadn't before. We had just about three days before graduation and were pretty much finished. The memory of the infamous Fort Jackson pillow war popped in my mind, we hadn't done that at Fort Sam, and honestly, with all the stress we endured, I'm sure the pillow fight would have erupted into an all out brawl. That night, we all were goofing around during our details, my squad area had already been waxed and my locker was open while I was getting uniforms ready for the inspection. Bryce and McMahan were wrestling around and accidentally hit my locker, knocking over an almost full bottle of Polo brand cologne. The bottle shattered onto the newly waxed floor and spilled. We tried to clean it all up but the smell was overwhelming. We finally got it cleaned up then realized there was a big green stain on the floor and the wax was now gone. It seems Polo strips wax off a marble tiled floor pretty fast. We tried to use more wax to fix the problem with no luck. Great, leave it to me to jeopardize our final inspection. The next day for our inspection, we had to have everything laid out perfectly, our lockers had to be opened up and everything dressed neatly inside it. All in all things looked great...except the big green stain and the rancid smell of Polo still lingering. Drill Sergeant Tharpe would first come look at the barracks before the inspection was to take place. He he got into my squad, I reported to him as usual, his reply was, "My God man, what is that smell?" That's when he noticed the stain on the floor. He asked what happened, I told him, he shook his head and walked out, then had me meet in his office. Oh boy, I thought I was going to get it good now. Drill Sergeant Tharpe asked me what had really happened, again, I told him. Apparently, he thought I was trying to cover something up other than just the green spot and smell. He then asked me about the incident with the soldiers not helping and me threatening to quit being a squad leader. I told him that it had been a stressful time for me and I had over reacted. He told me that he felt I did kind of lay down on the job some that I was too slack for some of the things that went on, but overall I did good for being put in that position under the circumstances. He closed by telling me that he was okay with me, but I would have to work on getting on SSG Van Zant's good side. Screw him, I thought to myself, I'm almost out of this place, I don't have anything to prove. Short timer syndrome had settled in on me, and quite frankly, I didn't care.
Just before the inspection, Drill Sergeant Tharpe had all of us place one pair of our combat boots right in front of our lockers. This was an attempt to cover up my green spot and hope that the commander and senior drill sergeant didn't see it. Finally, it was time. Senior Drill Sergeant Myers, Drill Sergeants Walls and Tharpe accompanied by Captain Bowden walked through each area of the barracks. We could hear the squad rooms called to attention one at a time, we still had a few minutes in my squad bay, so I did last minute checks with Miller. The bay still reeked of Polo but there wasn't anything else we could do about it. Finally, it was our turn, Drill Sergeant Tharpe called us to attention, I reported the squad's status to the commander and entourage and that we were ready for inspection. The commander commented immediately by saying, "Well, this is the best smelling room I've been in all morning." I nervously smiled and he walked over to my bunk area and looked at the neatly pressed uniform hanging on the bedpost and the highly shined (thanks to some mop and glow) boots beside it. He then looked at my locker, then looked down at the boots, I just knew he would see the green stain, but he never mentioned it. I walked with the group down the bay to each soldier, looking them and their lockers over. He nodded in approval at the end of the squad bay, I saluted him and the group left. I overheard Captain Bowden say that the rest of the company had both pair of boots lined by their bunks, why did we have one set at our lockers. Drill Sergeant Tharpe quickly replied that he thought that's the way it was supposed to be that it was his call and not any of ours. He took the heat for my mistake, wow.
The inspection went well, we didn't have one single gig by the commander, I'm sure to Senior Drill Sergeant Myers' displeasure. Now the only thing left was graduation. The rest of the day after our inspection, we did minimal duties in the company area, the new soldiers would carry on our police call. We marched up to the post theater and rehearsed for our graduation, which was nothing at all like our basic training ceremony. We marched into the theater to seats, then stood at attention until everyone was in, the National Anthem and Army Song would follow, then we would be seated. After a quick rundown of the speeches that followed, we rehearsed going up and getting our diplomas, in the mean time, the theme music to the TV show 'MASH' played on the PA, kind of strange that the song is actually called 'Suicide is Painless,' wonderful ceremony music. The march back to the company area was solemn, knowing that the next time we marched up to the theater, we would all be parting ways. That night, Kim and I went back to the Hacienda and watched the movie 'The Bodyguard'. We both knew that our time was short and had written each other letters to keep with us. I wrote something simple and short that said, "Never hold back on a dream you wish to conquer. Express your visions and hold onto what is true, and to you, true love will never die." Her letter to me was about three pages about how her life had been changed since she met me and that she cherished each day with me. She closed it by saying she would find a way through Hell or high water to make it work for us. We made the walk from the Hacienda to the barracks hand in hand, both wanting it to never end.
The next day after our usual routines, we had to start bagging our things up in preparation for our graduation the following day. All our non-essential items were to be packed away so that the transition would be orderly and quick. The smell of Polo still hung in the air, I wonder just how long it stayed there or if the wax ever took hold eventually on that green spot. Later in the day, families started appearing on post like they had at basic training. Mom and dad couldn't make it to my graduation at Fort Sam, and I understood completely. After the next day, I didn't know how long it would be until I saw them again, so maybe them not coming was a blessing in disguise for me, something to keep me from becoming home sick all over again. Kim's dad and step-mother was coming from New York, so I would get to meet them finally. Rick was a graphic artist in Fort Edward and was a generally nice guy. The rest of the day I had squad leader duties to deal with so I couldn't join them for the day and evening, which was okay, Kim needed to spend time with her family after being away so long. I stayed around the company area with several others the rest of the day, eventually being called to meet with SSG Van Zant. I met with him in his room and really didn't know why other than he was going to complain about something I had done not to his liking. He started out by telling me to relax, be at ease, and then said something like, "Kiskaden, you and I hit it off very wrong and had our clashes," I sat there, almost nodding in agreement. "I just wanted to tell you that you have the biggest balls I have ever seen in a private. You didn't back down to me and I could have gotten you an Article 15, but I didn't. " I sat there, not knowing what to expect. The staff sergeant continued, "I didn't because I know you will be a good leader one day and be highly respected." He shook my hand and congratulated me for completing the course. I was taken aback at all this, he actually respected me in some way and complemented me, I never thought that would ever happen in this lifetime. I really would have passed out had the senior drill sergeant done this.
I wrote home one final time that night, telling everyone I was on my way to another world, the winds of change were taking me far, far away. I knew it would be a long while before I would get to see anyone from home again, that feeling of homesickness was starting to rear its head again. The next day would be trying for me for sure. The morning of graduation, we received our travel vouchers and air fares, some of our flights didn't leave until the next day, meaning we would have to stay one more night on post, including me. We all got dressed in our Class A uniforms and went through one final inspection and small awards ceremony. Some of us would receive coins, medals or certificates. I received a certificate for being a squad leader and a Certificate of Appreciation from Drill Sergeant Walls. There would also be a promotion ceremony that morning, and I was promoted to Private 2, I got a single chevron pin, or 'mosquito wings' as they were called. Most of us who were active duty Army were promoted to PV2 during the morning, only meaning a little bit more on our pay stubs each month. Afterward, we had some down time, Kim and I met up and posed for some pictures for prosperity, but they were strictly in military fashion, meaning no holding hands or hugging up on each other. We had brought our green duffel bags and our personal bags downstairs to a holding area, separated by platoon, meaning our time in the barracks was over. I can't say I missed those barracks at all, just the people that filled them. During the down time before the graduation that afternoon, the families who came could mingle with their respective soldier. Rick made sure I was included with him, his wife and Kim and asked when my flight went out, and when I told them the following day, Rick offered for me to stay at their hotel since they were staying anyway to see San Antonio. I was excited, knowing that after graduation, I would be able to spend time with Kim once more.
The time came for us to march up to the theater. We all got in formation and the new group of soldiers stood by outside the company area at attention as we marched by. The looks of pure eagerness and blank stares of fear were equally mixed among the new batch of soldiers. Charlie Company 232nd Medical Battalion were seasoned veterans now, it seemed, and we marched proudly past them. We marched up the hill, the San Antonio sun was starting to warm us up in our Class A's, but none of us cared, we had made it. We marched into the theater as rehearsed, the 'MASH' theme rang out as we entered the room. There were several top ranking officers on the stage unlike the day before. Knowing how the basic training graduation went, this would be a long winded ceremony. After the National Anthem and Army Song, we all took a seat and waited as the speakers came up one by one speaking to the assembly. The filled theater and the uniforms made it become quite warm and a bit uncomfortable, at least we weren't standing in formation as we were in basic training during all this. Finally, the time came for us to march up to get our diplomas. We didn't have specifically named diplomas, just the Army's general issue one that said we were now official medics. We marched up, got our diplomas, then back down to our seats. When this part of the ceremony was over, we each raised our right hands and recited the Hippocratic Oath, and after an invocation by the chaplain, we filed out of the theater and back into our platoon formations. As we were out in formation, Drill Sergeants Walls and Tharpe came to each of us and shook our hands congratulating this day. I liked the drill sergeants, Drill Sergeant Tharpe especially because he was so laid back. I looked over just before we marched back to the company area and caught a glimpse of Kim, who was looking over at me. It then hit me that we were parting ways soon afterward, and I teared up. I choked back the tears and looked forward as we readied for the march, then proceeded down the hill for the last time. I glanced over at the Hacienda, a place I held special to me, many good times were spent there. I wondered how Bull and JB were doing as we passed the club, I wished I had maintained some form of contact with them, we were a good band together. We got back to the company area, all the families were standing there cheering us all on, and I felt a sense of sadness because mine wasn't there. I fully understood why they couldn't be there, but still felt down about it. When we got in the area, we did our last formation roll call. Staff Sergeant Van Zant reported to the senior drill sergeant, "All personnel present and accounted for, including one still on Christmas leave." This gave everyone a welcome laugh. Senior Drill Sergeant Myers addressed the company and told us that even though we had tested his patience, we had done well overall. We were definitely a hodge-podge of soldiers that was for sure. After a last round of push-ups in our Class A's, we were dismissed with a loud shout of "Soldier Medic!!!" Freedom from the tiny tyrant at last. The emotion of the day finally caught up to me when I looked over at Kim and she was teary eyed, I broke down and cried. I went upstairs so no one would see into a swarm of new soldiers being herded into their new and our old barracks. I gathered myself after a few minutes and returned downstairs. I was okay now, the raw emotion was out now. Many of us took group pictures goofing around and celebrating the fact that we had done it, we were now Soldier Medics. I felt very proud of myself now, and I knew if mom and dad were there, they would be so proud of me too. I had come a long way since September, I felt like a new person now.
Kim and I finally found each other in the mess of people and we left with her dad and step-mom. It was getting late in the afternoon, so we went to the hotel and changed clothes. Rick had reserved a room for Kim and me next to his, which I thought was nice of him. It felt good to be off post for good now. No more drill sergeants, no more 0430 wake up calls and no more Elvis in the chow hall. After we changed, we all went out to eat and walk around the Riverwalk. Kim and I showed her family what we had enjoyed the few months we had been there. I would miss the Riverwalk and all its splendors, and hope to one day revisit it. Rick was a nice guy, he really treated me well. His wife, for some reason I cannot remember her name, was equally nice to me. We talked a lot about where I came from, he told me I should come to their area and go on a hunting trip with him sometime. The night wore on and finally we went back to the hotel. A small drizzle had started, a fitting end to the last few months. We settled into the room but stayed up practically all night talking, not wanting the night to end. Eventually we went to sleep and was woke up around 0900 by Rick, who was wanting to start the day off with breakfast at a local pancake house. My flight wouldn't leave San Antonio until that afternoon, so we still had some time left to spend together. After breakfast, we took some last pictures together before we left for the airport, I had to be there early to check in. We arrived and had plenty of time to kill after my check in, now that I was officially regular Army. We stopped in the gift shop and I found a coonskin hat, which I put on and did an impromptu stand-up routine about the Kentucky cliche's that people talked about. After all that I found a pay phone and called home, a task I was dreading because I knew how mom's reaction was going to be. I would be leaving the United States, far away for an undetermined amount of time and she would not be happy at all about it. The phone call lasted almost a half hour, both of us crying at various parts of the conversation. I wanted so bad to be with my family now more than ever, to give them that hug before I left, but I wasn't able to, and it hurt...alot. After the phone call ended, Kim comforted me, but I knew that soon, she too would be left behind. We walked to the terminal area and I ran into several of the other Charlie Company gang. We stopped and took a group picture, one guy named Cowden called us the 'Germany crew'.
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| Getting ready to board the plane from The U.S. to Germany. March 1993. |
