Kodiak: Letters from Home.
Here's a short one for you. Kinda cheesy, but this idea just popped into my head when this song came on my Ipod. I do not own the lyrics (written in italics) they belong to John Michael Montgomery. Balto and other characters belong to Universal and Amblin.
It is may twenty-eighth 1943 and Kodiak has been a volunteer sniffer dog for two years following the brutal Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and is now stationed in the Philippines. Little does he know that his mother, Jenna has sent him a letter. He finds this in an envelope on his bed…
My dearest son it's almost June, I hope this letter catches up with you, and finds you well. It's been dry but they're calling for rain, and everything's the same old same in Johnsonville.
Your stubborn old daddy aint said too much, but I'm sure you know he sends his love…
And she goes on; in a letter from home.
Kodiak calls attention to his two best friends that had decided to join with him two years ago and reads his first letter.
I hold it up and show my buddies like we aint scared and our boots aint muddy; and they all laugh, like there's something funny 'bout the way I talk, when I say "momma sends her best y'all."
Kodiak smiles and folds the letter then tucks it into the front of his vest. A call is made and he and the other dogs line up to receive orders.
I fold it up and put it in my shirt. Peck up my gun, and get back to work. And it keeps me driving on. Waitn' on; letters from home.
Two days later, he comes in from a patrol and finds another letter on his bed; this time from his beloved and beautiful girlfriend Dusty.
My dearest love it's almost dawn. I've been lyin' here all night long; wonderin' where you might be. I saw your momma and I showed her the ring. Man on the television said something; so I couldn't sleep. But I'll be alight I'm just missin' you; and this is me kissin' you, x's and o's.
In a letter from home…
Kodiak calls his friends over and reads them the letter aloud with a smile.
I hold it up and show my buddies like we aint scared and our boots aint muddy and they all laugh, cause she calls me honey but they take it hard; 'cause I don't read the good parts.
Kodiak kisses the letter and tucks it safely into his vest and walks out to the truck for another patrol.
I fold it up and put it in my shirt. Pick up my gun and get back to work; and it keeps me drivin' on; waitin' on letters from home…
It wasn't for another week until another letter showed up on his bed; this time from his father. He thinks back to the last time they spoke and dreadfully fears what may lie inside…
Dear son I know I aint written; and sittin' hear tonight alone in the kitchen it occurs to me, I might not have said it so I'll say it now. Son you make me proud…
Kodiak calls his friends over and slowly opens the letter. As he continues to read…
I hold it up and show my buddies like we aint scared and our boots aint muddy, but no one laughs; 'cause there aint nothing funny when a soldier cries; and I just wipe my eyes...
His two friends sat in silence as Kodiak's tears dripped from his chin and down onto the letter. Kodiak sniffles and dries his eyes with his paw.
I fold it up and put it in my shirt, pick up my gun and get back to work; and it keeps me driving on. Wiatin' on; letters from home.
He and his two friends load up into a jeep in a convoy of thirty soldiers and bounce around as it slowly makes its way out into the Hell that is war.
Letters from home…
The timing felt so right being so close to 9/11. I posted this as a tribute to all who died in that tragedy and all the heroes, fallen and alive, who have dedicated their lives to serving this country. To all military, police, and other home town heroes; I say thank you and God bless America.!