Dear Jack

Chapter Three

*Jacks POV* 

"Dear Alex, your letter did make it to me, all the way over here to Afghanistan!

First let me say, that's a perfect way to start a letter, and secondly, I am so glad you chose to write me. Your local army vet is right, it does get lonely out here and letters do help us keep connected to the outside world. My spirits were definitely lifted when I was told by my captain that I had a letter. I had no idea this was coming, so again, I am very grateful.

I love the story of your grandparents by the way. A lot of my troops here have loved ones back home whom they write whenever they get the chance, and so I decided to share your story with them. I hope that's okay. They seemed to love the story as much as I did and it really inspired them. I guess they also dream of their love to be as strong as your grandparents, and I wish that it happens for them. They deserve it.

I am very sorry to hear about your brother Alex. I am having my station fly our flag at half mast tonight in honor of your brother Tom. My troops and I will salute to the flag and give one minute silence in memory of him. May he rest in peace.

It's been lovely to 'meet' you Alex, you sound like someone I'd get along with. I'm most sure we could be friends absolutely. Let me introduce myself, I am Jack, Corporal Pilot for the U.S Army. My responsibilities include being the leader of my troop and I make sure my team are adequately trained and well represented where needed. I have been a pilot in the US Army since I was 18 years old, so nearly 7 years actually. Wow, I didn't realize it's been that long! Thanks for making me feel old.

And I'll be happy to answer your questions. I have my mother, father, older brother and younger sister at home. My hobbies – at home – like you include playing guitar and I love hanging out with my friends. Army wise, I enjoy playing some kind of football or basketball at base camp on our rest days, being able to shower and write to my family at home. What got me enlisted you ask...? Maybe middle child syndrome! I'm kidding. I struggled in high school a lot and unfortunately was bullied a lot, and so I decided to enlist right after graduation to get away and immediately developed a love for planes and then after formal training went on to specialize in piloting. Best decision of my life, but don't get me wrong, it scares the hell out of me. But I really do feel like I've made something of myself, and that's what counts.

So Alex, I'd like to ask you some questions with your permission. I'd love to keep this letter chain going. What coffee shop do you work at? – this question is important as I too live in Baltimore and absolutely love my coffee. What are you studying in university and I'd love to know what you plan on doing after you graduate, do you have any big plans?

I hope this letter reaches you safely,

Kind Regards,

Corporal Barakat of the US Army."

I fold my letter up and place it into its envelope, sealing it tight and placing it into the mail bag located at the back of our base camp cafeteria.

"Sending two letters Sir?" one of my privates ask. "You rarely send one home to your family. What's the second one for, if I may ask?"

"Well Private, apparently my home town are sending letters to army vets, and this young man decided to participate and send me a letter" I explain to Private Elliot. He nods politely, dropping off his letter to his lover. "oh that reminds me".

I stand on a chair and call attention among my troops. "Attention!" I call. My troops all stand to attention and salute to me. "At ease gentlemen. I have an announcement. We will be having a half mast gathering and minute of silence this evening at 1800 hours. Be ready and be dressed appropriately".

I get a nod from my men and step down from my seat. The rest of us enjoy our lunch. Its just some rice with some army version of slow cooked lamb. The United States does try to take care of us in a nutritional sense, but its not always great. But after nearly 7 years of service, I could eat anything if it meant the survival of my troops and I.

"Corporal?" Another one of my privates approaches me. "May I speak freely sir?" I nod in agreeance. "Sir, why are we having a half mast gathering? We've lost no men?"

"We are having a gathering for a young man named Tom who hails from my home town Baltimore. His brother has just begun writing letters to me as part of a community engagement and has told me of his brothers sudden passing. I'd like to acknowledge him" I state.

The private and fellow troops all agree.

That poor boy, both Alex and Tom.

I've lost so many friends here overseas over the years, both by my side and under my command. I've watched them slowly die beside me and in my arms. And I've seen their lives taken immediately by a single bullet from the beyond. I've lost men I've rescued in the field in the infirmary and I've lost men who could not overcome their illnesses. I've found many bodies in their plane wrecks, shot down by the enemy. I don't know how that wasn't me, but that body could be me at any point. I can understand what it feels like to lose someone so close so suddenly. I know that Alex cannot see it, and this will be happening well before he receives the letter, but I hope he knows we gathered in memory of Tom.

///

And soon it was 1755 hours and my troops began to come together dressed in their cleanest pressed uniforms for half mast gathering under the setting sun. My men make me proud. And I hope they make Alex proud.

I have my flagman lower the flag to half-mast as sunset approaches. "Gentlemen. We gather here this evening to remember a fallen boy of Baltimore whose life was taken suddenly, Tom. I do not have a relationship with this boy, only that he and my pen pal hail from Balitmore. I would like us to pay our respects. But whilst we keep Tom in our thoughts, let us not forget the men we've lost over the years. Those men gave their lives so we could have a brighter future. We shall never forget them, forever they will be in our hearts. For a heart is a heavy burden".

I receive an "Ai" from my men who then stand at attention, saluting to the flag for both Tom and our fallen soldiers. Nothing makes me prouder than this moment. I admire my men who can come together at any moment to remember our fallen. I won't let their memory die. I'd like to think that I would be remembered this way.

After the service, Private Elliot approaches me. "Corporal Barakat, may I have a word with you?"

"At ease private, go ahead" I gesture.

"Corporal, I have a polaroid camera that prints pictures immediately and develop within minutes. I took a photo of you and our troops standing salute with the flag in honor of Tom and our fallen troops. I wanted to see if you like it, and to see if you wanted to send it to your pen pal"

Private Elliot hands me the picture of my troop standing salute with me in front under the flag, a beautiful orange/pink sunset drapes over the hills in the background. "Private, that is a wonderful idea. Thank you so much".

I took the polaroid from him and ran to the cafeteria, digging through the mail bag. I knew it wouldn't be collected until morning. Before I found my letter, I wrote on the back of the polaroid "For Tom and our fallen troops" ps. I'm the corporal standing in front" and placed it in my letter to Alex.

I'm sure that that photo would mean the absolute world to Alex. I'm so grateful to have my troops.