'So that'll be the one thing to keep in mind. Make sure to-' I stop talking as someone clears their throat behind me. I turn around to find general Iverson there. 'Sir.' I say. 'Afternoon Lieutenant. Fellas.' He says as he greets me and the guys. He's holding envelopes, showing some bad news. 'May I have a word?' The general asks. I nod and move to stand next to my guys. 'We all know what I have here.' He says as he shows the envelopes. 'Though this time, a couple of things will be different.' He says. 'You will be given these by your Lieutenant, after the ceremony on Friday.' He walks up to me and hands them over. 'You will find out what will be different when you read the inside. I hope to see you all at the ceremony.' He says before walking off. We all salute till he's out of sight. 'What's different, Lieutenant?' The first asks. 'You'll find out.' I say.
'Now the 15th.' I stand up at the words. The ceremony has been going on for quite a while now. My guys step forward, family and friends watching. '15th....' I say. 'As you all know there are things that are going to change. Choices that will need to be made. We've come far as it is, and we'll get a lot further then where we are now. I am proud, when I look at all of you.' My voice echos over the speakers as I speak. 'I have three people that will get a new emblem from me today. Two of which, I have known for a long time, and I have done this to before. These people will make the biggest changes in out unit.' I say.
I look down at the Sargent emblem for Corporal Eversman. 'Corporal Eversman, please come forward.' I say. He seems surprised, but does as I asked. He walks up to me, stopping in front of me and salutes. I salute back. 'You've made me proud Eves.' I say with a smile. People can't hear me like this. 'What's going on Lieutenant?' He asks looking happy but confused. I nod to the others, and he turns around. 'Today, I will have the honor, to rip off Your rank, and to replace it, with one more fitting for a man like this.' I say. I take the emblems off his shoulders. I lay them down and take the Sargent ones with me to him. 'You better look happy about this.' I say with a grin as I put them on. He keeps his head forward, but his eyes try to look at what I'm doing. 'I didn't know about any of this.' He says. 'You wanted it, didn't you?' I ask as I finish up the last one. 'Well- yes, I do.' He says. 'Then smile brightly.' I step next to him. 'From now on, Eversman will be one of the new Sargents.' I say, everyone cheers. I pat his back 'good job, you've done well.' I say before he walks off.
'Now next, our best and brightest soldier, Jackson.' He looks up, looking even more confused then Eversman was. 'Please step forward soldier.' I say. Jackson walks up, saluting, and I do the same before I stand next to him. 'Jackson has proven himself in more ways then I can count. Risking his life for his comrades, and risking his life for me. He never needed to be told how to do things, because he knows how to do it himself.' I say. 'Today, will sadly be the last day, that I will be able to call you a soldier. Because from now on, big man, you'll be the new Corporal of the 15th platoon.' I say as I take his old ranking off and place the new ones on. 'If I could you would have gotten Sargent too.' I say. 'You're to kind.' He says with a grin. I slap his back As everyone cheers. 'Some day.' I say. He walks off.
'Smithy.' I say, he looks up. 'You haven't been with us long, but I, happy to bring you up a new level of soldier.' I say. He walks up. 'As the youngest, and sweetest in the unit. He still has his things to learn. Yet he deserves it.' I say. I take his soldier second rank off, and replace it with soldier first.' He beams as he looks at his shoulder. 'Thank you.' He says. Everyone applauds as he walks back to the group. 'That was all for the 15th platoon.' I say.
After the whole ceremony, we gather. 'Listen up. Like you've been told a couple of times now, things have changed. Our deployments will change.' I say as I hold up the envelope. 'What I mean with that is that I will not be in the field this time. I'll stay at base. As nurse. Eversman is now Sargent and will lead you through the missions, with Jackson as second in command. A new medic will be going on long that you'll meet at the base of our deployment destination.' I say. Everyone seems shocked. 'I know Eversman is capable of doing the job, and I know he can lean on Jackson as much as is needed. You guys will be alight, and I'll be at base for anything you guys need. You'll know where to find me. I am, and will always be, you guy's Lieutenant.' I say. They nod, still not looking to keen with the change. 'Dolsen , please hand these out.' I say. Dolson steps forward and takes the envelope, handing them out.
'Our destination is Afghanistan. Eversman will be told the situation and he'll inform all of you.' I say.
I head home to find corpse looking down. 'Six months.' He says. 'I know it's long.' I say as I sit down next to him and hug him. 'I can call you though.' I say. 'I know that.' He says. 'I'll come back.' I say. He pulls me a little closer. 'I'm sorry about Christmas.' I say. 'Don't worry about it.' He says. I pull back and kiss him 'I love you, I'll be back.' I say. 'I love you too.'
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Trustworthy help
FanfictionHe comes when you need him. But can you be there for him when he needs you?
