CHAPTER 8
Saunders wasn't looking forward to going out but orders were orders, there wasn't much he could do about it. "The men were going to meet at the Mess for Christmas Dinner…I'd sure hate for them to miss it." When are we heading out?
"1400…it's going to be a cold walk so make sure the men our dressed accordingly…we should be back this evening but have them pack supplies for a day." Hanley ran a hand down the side of his face before continuing. "I spoke with the Mess Sergeant he's agreed to serve the squad at noon, just make sure they're packed and ready to go by 1400."
"Alright LT…I'll let them know." Saunders stated as he got to his feet. "Will you be joining us?
"No…I have a few letters I need to finish and then the Captain wants me to meet him for another briefing before we head out."
With a salute Saunders left to meet up with his men.
At first the men grumbled about having to go out on patrol on Christmas Day without a warm meal in their bellies but after Saunders explained that they would still get to partake of the Holiday meal they cheered up.
Since the meal wouldn't be served for an hour the men took the time to get their supplies together and by 1200 were lining up at the mess. As they carried their full trays to a table, the squad wait until all the men were served and when Saunders was standing at the table they all sat, Doc said grace and after an echo of Amen…the eating began. It was a light hearted meal as the men joked and teased a now calmer Billie about his "sugar high" and each man shared a little news from home… finishing the meal the men walked back to the enlisted quarters, Caje and Saunders shared their newly acquired cigarettes with those who smoked during the walk. Checking his watch, the Sergeant gathered his men and with packs on shoulder and weapons in hand they met up with Hanley at 1400. With a quick return salute…the LT put the men at ease and briefed them on the patrol.
After the briefing Hanley glanced at each member of his squad. "I know this wasn't how you wanted to spend the day but as a wise man said recently" Catching Saunders eyes for a moment before continuing. "War doesn't acknowledge the Holidays."
With a nod from Hanley, Sgt. Saunders brought the squad to attention.
"Alright men, let's move out." With Hanley at point and his Second leading the squad they took off.
The patrol went without a hitch, when the men made it to the target location they found evidence that the Germans had set up a post at the coordinates but according to Caje, they had moved out less than an hour before the squad had arrived. Hanley sent Brockmeyer and Caje to scout a few miles ahead to see if any of the Germans were still in the area…upon their return they informed the Lieutenant that they picked up sign suggesting that the enemy had continued to move further north of the squad's location. Lt. Hanley contacted Capt. Jampel via the radio and told him what they had found, after a short conversation the Captain ordered the squad to return to base. Alternating two men at flank to watch their six…Caje on point...Hanley and Saunders leading the squad...they made their way back to camp. It was seven o'clock when they returned, Hanley dismissed the men asked Saunders to meet him at his tent in an hour then went to brief the Captain.
Eight o'clock found Saunders once again outside the LT's quarters.
"Lt. Hanley." He called
"Come in Sgt. Saunders." Hanley returned the greeting as he met his friend at the entrance with a smile.
"I come bearing gifts." As he passed, Saunders handed him a present.
Hanley glanced at the present before moving toward his desk...as he placed his gift on the desk he picked up a brightly wrapped box from the chair and passed it to the Sergeant who had taken up residence on the LT's cot.
"Santa must have dropped this off at my tent by mistake." Hanley commented with a smirk. "I think it's for you."
Taking the present, with a matching smirk Saunders replied. "Well, I guess all the tents look alike from the sky, I could see where he might get a little confused."
Laughing, the LT took a seat at the desk. "The men get settled in for the night?
"Yeah, they were reading their letters when I left."
"By the way Capt. Jampel has excused the squad from any patrols until 1600 tomorrow."
"I'll pass the information on…Kirby was getting a poker game together and sometimes the games go on for hours." Glancing at the gift he had given the LT. Are you going to open that?
Hanley held his friends gaze for a second before settling the gift on his lap to open...when he saw the contents he looked at his friend in surprise. How did you know? Glancing through the Herbal Tea packets as Saunders replied.
"Doc, might have mentioned it a few weeks back." Watching as Hanley picked up the second item in the box. "Mom made two scarves, one for me and one for you."
Hanley stared at the thick scarf...as good, if not better than any money could buy. "It was very nice of her to do this."
"Yeah…should come in handy for the next few months." Saunders commented, then held his breath when Hanley took out the third gift.
Picking up the last item, Hanley couldn't help but stare…the smiling faces of his Parents, Grandmother and her new husband looked back from the window at the top of an antique frame, in the second window of the frame was a photo of a very young Hanley (about six years old if he remembered correctly) standing in front of his parents, each one had placed a hand on his shoulder and the Grandparents stood on his Mothers left...all wearing wide smiles. The picture had been taken right before his Grandfather passed away...
