June 6th 1944, a day when the allies invaded Europe. When Men stormed beaches and cliffs, braved enemy fire, Karlslanders and Liberions bled side by side, Faraway land and Britanina fought as one, we did not fight under a flag but under the banner as those who would not die, who would win and stay by each others sides until the end...
Normandy, Gallia, 2024
The graves lie silent, the white crosses in neat rows, by unit. This is the end result of that day. All these years latter and I still am at a loss for how to speak of it, Shifting my cane I walk down the line, the names of men carved in stone and my mind. I recall that day, I cannot say much of the beach landing, I was a pilot, 44th Lufftwaffe. Even so I watched as those bastards killed man after man, the AA was think and by days end half the 44th was a burning mess.
"We did our share" I say aloud to myself walking once again, the boys are buried down a way and I make sure to see them every year. Eugene used to come but last year he joined them, damn it I told him to quit smoking during the war but he never did listen. and then my sweet...she fought but two years ago...
...
She's gone too, now i'm just an old man, talking to himself. No point in crying, I fought in Market garden as a Fallshirmjager and flew escort for bombers over Karlsland, I won't let this get to me. Walking I come across are ground. Seven men...no, seven boys taken from us, the rest here now, their memory lies in the stone of their grave markers.
I knew a few other vets, a Fellow named Baker in the 101st along with some Britaninan's and even a few Fusoan's who fought here that day. All are gone and now only I remain.
I am the sole air left by history. Have I lived my life? Moved past the war? I cannot say, I found my wife during the war and my best friend but I am the last one of us, the reaper waits for me.
...
He can keep on waiting. I looked down one last time at my friends, planting the flowers down in front of their graves I stand tall, my cane dropping to my feet as my back cracks and I give off a crisp salute. And for one moment I see them all.
Standing their gazing at me with smiles are Eugene, Hans and Kurt, Wellis and the rest for them, and lieing with them her back to a tree is...Ursula.
They haven't aged a day since "44" and I smile giving them a node.
"I miss you all everyday, i'm sorry but I still have things to do here, i'll be with you all soon" I say turning to walk away. I small tear drips from my eye as I do so, picking up my cane I start walking back.
"I will never forget you all" I almost cry, walking away.
WWW
I spot him on his way back to the car, his eyes are misty, as they are every year I escort the Colonel here, he never speaks a word on the drive in or back, he just looks out the window. I heard he fought during the war, was an ace pilot but at the age of 98 he sure doesn't look the part. Still I'm honored to do this. Opening the door as he sits down inside I get in and start driving back to the airport.
My eyes on the road I think about my time in combat, what it did to me, then again Kaybal in the middle east was a lifetime ago.
"I regret nothing" I hear him say.
In the past 10 years I have taken him here he has never spoken until now.
"Don't regret life son, just be happy to have lived it when other didn't get the chance to" he speaks, his voice weak from age. I node, my eyes on the road but I take it to heart. Years latter as I age those words, the words of Colonel Von Luck stay with me, the only words he ever spoke to me and some of the last words he ever spoke to anyone.
They always stay with me.
Always.