Page 18 of Be With Me
Chapter 9
Thomas and Lowe with their wives were the other couples at the table.Whew, dodged that bullet. Mooney had been worried that the captain was at the table. No sooner did they get there when Major Watson’s voice broke through the noise of the room. “Please rise for the head table.”
Once they were all on the dais, Lieutenant Colonel Marks nodded. Mooney looked to the back, and saw the colors entering the room. He turned Debbie to face the back. When she looked at him, he whispered, “The flags, known as the colors, have entered the room. You need to face them and when they pass our table, turn to follow their progression.”
The flags reached the front and Lieutenant Colonel Marks gave permission for them to be posted. Then Major Watson spoke again, “Please charge your glass.”
Mooney checked Debbie’s glass before handing it to her, then made sure he had a full glass. “It’s time for the toasts to begin the ball.” He picked up the program, turned to the page with the toasts and gave it to Debbie. “Someone will propose the toast, raise your glass and say the response listed.”
Gail leaned around her husband to meet Debbie’s eyes. “It gets easier. I promise. And I recommend just taking a small sip for each toast.”
“Ladies and gentleman, I propose a toast to the United States of America,” came a voice from the back.
Everyone lifted their glass and said, “The United States.” They went through all the normal toasts, to the Army, to the President, to the 82ndAirborne, the battalion. Then Major Watson spoke again.
“I direct your attention to the empty table to my right. You may have noticed the small table set for one that is off on its own - it is reserved to honor our fallen comrades in arms. This symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit. We should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call and served the cause of freedom in a special way. We are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured the agonies of pain, deprivation and death.
“The table is round - to show our everlasting concern for our fallen comrades. The tablecloth is white - symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty. The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of our fallen comrades, and the loved ones and friends of these comrades who keep the faith.
“The vase is tied with a red ribbon, symbol of our continued determination to remember our fallen comrades. A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return. A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by the families of those who have sacrificed all. The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us at this time. The chair is empty because they are no longer with us. Let us remember - and never forget their sacrifice. May they and their families ever be watched over and protected.”
There was a moment of silence before the response was given. “To our fallen comrades.”
“Soldiers of the battalion, please seat your guests,” Major Watson said. The others at the table, seated their wives while Mooney guided Debbie into her chair. “To our guests.”
Mooney raised his glass while making eye contact with Debbie. “Our guests.” He leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips before he sat down. Dinner was surprisingly good and the discussion during dinner didn’t touch on the unit at all. Lowe’s wife taught first grade and entertained them with the antics of her classroom with the holidays coming soon.
Command Sergeant Major Hall from the Special Warfare Center was the guest of honor this year. Mooney knew that he’d completely spaced during his speech; he figured it was interesting but having Debbie next to him had his brain moving in a different direction. After he finished speaking, a silver punchbowl was wheeled out on a cart covered with a white cloth. The punchbowl ceremony had them all laughing. Someone from each company added something to the mixture. A few added bottles of alcohol honoring different campaigns of the battalion in Vietnam and Grenada. The Top stood and walked to the bowl while opening a bottle.
“I have here a fine example of the elixir of the Incan gods, Diplomático Rum.” He held the bottle above his head before he broke the seal and took a swig then poured it into the bowl. “To honor the battalion’s time in Panama.” He was followed by First Sergeant Scully who added in what looked like sand to honor the battalion’s time in the Gulf. Then Sergeant Major Dubbs’ wife stood and cleared her throat.
“Please allow me to add something to the mixture,” she said as she approached the master sergeant serving as the punch master who had been stirring the mixture after each addition. She stopped before him and raised her hands above her head. She had a pair of lace panties in one hand and a satin jock in the other. “To symbolize those at home awaiting your safe and speedy return.” She threw them into the bowl and gave the master sergeant a kiss on his cheek, leaving a bright red outline of her lips for all to see. Rafe remembered to explain everything to Debbie quietly enough that he wasn’t singled out for a “violation” and sent to the bowl.After seeing the mixture of alcohol they’d come up with this year? Oh yeah, Mooney was grateful for that.
After the punch bowl ceremony, it was time to honor those that had served the battalion extraordinarily. He handed the program to Debbie again and pointed out the descriptions of each of the Orders; gave her some examples of the different things that were recognized. It wasn’t easy to be nominated for induction. Only certain soldiers and spouses were selected. Mooney was glad that he got to see Top be inducted into the Order of the Marechaussee and his wife into the Order of the Vivandieres. Mooney knew how much Top had done for the soldiers in their company; he could only assume after talking with Top’s wife that she did the same with the spouses. Maybe one day, it would be him and eyeing the woman next to him, he could only hope she was there with him.
Once Lieutenant Colonel Marks had the colors retired, ending the formal portion of the evening, Mooney wasted no time asking Debbie to dance. They danced several songs before movement out of the corner of his eye, snapped Mooney’s attention to the edge of the dance floor. Johnson appeared to be stumbling and his wife was trying to guide him out of the room.Shit.
“Excuse me one minute, Debbie?” Mooney didn’t wait for her answer, knowing she understood he had responsibilities. “Do you need some assistance, Mrs. Johnson?” he asked as he got close to the couple.
“He’s had too much to drink and—” she started to answer before Johnson cut her off.Just fucking great. Not what he wanted Debbie to see at her first function with him.
“Shut it. Who do you—” Oh Mooney wasn’t going to let this happen on his watch.
“Johnson! At ease.” Mooney’s tone if not words got through the alcoholic haze going on in Johnson’s head.
“Sergeant Looney?” Johnson slurred. Mooney could feel the attention of the tables around them.Wonderful. Just fucking grand. He needed to shut this down fast. Looking around while keeping most of his attention on Johnson, Mooney spied Cassidy.
“Cassidy, over here,” Mooney called loud enough to catch Cassidy’s attention without disrupting the evening any more than it had already been.
Cassidy moved quickly and was next to them in less than ten seconds, grabbing Johnson by the arm to hold him up. “Sergeant?”
“Please assist Mrs. Johnson in getting her husband to their room upstairs. If he gives you any trouble, quietly restrain him and report that to me,” Mooney told Cassidy before turning back to Johnson. “You will go with Cassidy and your wife to your room. Monday morning, we will have a discussion regarding this incident. If you forget, don’t worry I won’t. Your behavior this evening had the potential to embarrass the company, the first sergeant, the command and most importantly, your wife. Now, go before this gets the attention of the first sergeant.”
Mrs. Johnson looked like she was going to cry. Debbie stepped up and grasped her hand. “Don’t you think this reflects on you. Seems there’s something going on with your husband and I’m positive that Sergeant Luna will help your husband figure things out. Try and get some rest and I know this is going to be the hard part but don’t stress over this. Correct, Rafe?”
“You are absolutely correct, Debbie. Mrs. Johnson, things will be okay. If you have any problems over the weekend, please call the desk and have them get in touch with me.” Mooney moved next to Debbie and put his arm around her waist.
“Okay, I will. Billy isn’t a bad person. I just…” she trailed off looking at her husband leaning on Cassidy.
