=Hiccup's POV=
[Saturday, 9/10/2022-4:30 pm]
[Isle of Berk; Berkian Hall]
The past week had been interesting to say the least. I went to work Monday morning and after getting a minute to myself; I spoke with Drago about the vacation I wanted to take. I explained that I knew it was extended, but I needed some time to clear my head. Also, that I wanted to get my house in order and take my girlfriend camping. Drago said it was fine and that I more than earned it, so that, for me; would start on September 12th and go until the 2nd of October. Yes, I was missing another drill weekend, but Drago said we wouldn't be doing much except organizing, inventory, and cleaning; he assured I wouldn't be needed for all that. The last thing my commanding officer said was for me to have a good time and come back ready to work. I promised that I would and he signed off on everything by the end of the day for me. The rest of the week was the average stuff while I made sure I had my things packed up to take to the new house. On Friday before we all left; I told the guys I'd see them in October on the 3rd, but I was taking some personal time off. All any of them did was laugh, say finally, and have a nice time.
I also used the week to make the camping reservations; I got Astrid and me a nice lake site with a rented RV to use. I was really looking forward to this trip. Unfortunately, for that to come; I needed to get moved into my house first, and do this memorial for the fallen soldiers of Dragon Platoon. I really, really wasn't looking forward to this because it was ALL the losses from the third tour that lasted sixteen months and we lost a lot; about fourteen. It was just under half the platoon, and it hurt. I'd been holding it together pretty well, but I wasn't sure if I could do it tonight. I didn't know if the others could either. As the days drew closer to today; we'd all been feeling the dread hard. I'd arrived ahead with Drago, Viggo, Johann, and Krogan to make sure everything was set up and ready; going over how the process would go.
"Hanging in there?" Krogan asked, pulling me from the thoughts.
"Hm? Yeah…Yeah, I am," I replied to him.
"You sure?" Johann inquired. I shot an unamused look at being asked a second time. "Never mind," he said quickly.
I sighed. "Sorry, Johann. I didn't mean to give you a dirty look; I'm just not looking forward to this,"
"None of us, Hiccup," Viggo placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "But, we owe it to them to honor their sacrifice,"
"I know," I nodded. I checked the time; people would be arriving soon. I invited my parents, Gobber, Astrid, her parents, my cousins, and my aunt and uncle. I know Dagur invited Heather, Mala, and the twins. Heather subsequently invited Fishlegs. Eret invited Ruffnut, who, of course, brought her brother too. And Thuggory brought Camicazi. I didn't know who else was coming for family or friends from the remaining eighteen members in Dragon Platoon, but I was sure this was gonna suck for all of us in the troop. None of us wanted to do this, but we knew we had to for the ones we've lost.
"Haddock, your unit, their guests, and yours just arrived," Drago stated.
"Aye, sir," I nodded. Here we go. I thought.
. . .
=Normal POV=
As the group arrived; Dagur, Eret, and Thuggory went right to Hiccup. "Hey, guys," Hiccup greeted.
"Hey…" Eret said.
"I know…I know…It sucks," Hiccup stated. "We'll be alright," he told them.
All four of them, and the other soldiers present were wearing dark brown dress pants, black dress shoes, and then a green dress coat that accessories. The officers had black ties, while anyone under didn't have one. Everyone wore a black belt with a gold clasp. Each right side of the jacket chest pocket had a white tag with their last name engraved into it. The left pocket showed pins for the enlisted members, but the officers had medals. Officers wore black hats, while enlisted members had berets. Hiccup went over to greet the others; he knew he didn't need to tell Heather or Mala about this event because they'd attended them in the past after the first and second tour. However, the rest didn't know; except maybe Gobber as a former military man himself.
"Hi, son," Stoick said softly.
"Hey, Dad, Mom, everyone else," Hiccup replied. "I'm sure Gobber may have already told you how this works, or you've figured it out on your own, but in case I'm wrong…" he paused. "This is a memorial ceremony for all the members lost in the Dragon Platoon from this past tour in Iraq. Think of it as a big scale wake, with an after party to follow,"
"I told them on the way over, lad…We know to be on our best behavior," Gobber interjected.
Hiccup nodded, figuring that Gobber probably took care of this for him, knowing it was already hard. "Just tell us where to be," Valka smiled a bit.
"This way," Hiccup informed as he led them towards a section of tables in the front. Drago insisted it be that way since Stoick was Hiccup's father and the Mayor of Berk. Stoick, Valka, Gobber, Spitelout, Freda, Calder, and Asvora sat at one table. Astrid, Snotlout, and Adelaide were together, and Hiccup would be joining them afterward. Heather, Fishlegs, Mala, Dagny, and Magne were at another table; Dagur would join them. Thuggory, Camicazi, Eret, Ruffnut, and Tuffnut were at another. Even Toothless was here tonight, present beside Astrid because he was part of this too; some of the dogs were lost.
The time seemed to drag on until 5 pm. Everyone was either standing or sitting to pass the time. Hiccup hadn't been social, though; he kept quiet in his spot. Drago finally approached. "It's time, Lieutenant Haddock," Drago said. Hiccup took a deep breath, getting off that he was leaning against. Drago put a hand on his shoulder. "I know it's hard,"
"Everything in life is, Captain…" Hiccup stated as he walked forward with Drago and stood in his position beside Viggo on Drago's left.
"Lieutenant Haddock…Would you mind quieting them down?" Drago asked. Hiccup brought his fingers to the corners of his mouth and giving a loud whistle until the room was silent. "Thank you," Hiccup gave a nod in response as he set his arms behind his back and legs at shoulder width apart like the other platoon leaders. "Now…It's time to begin. Won't everyone please take their seats?" Drago inquired. Everyone did so, remaining quiet. "We're here tonight to honor our fallen heroes lost during the recent deployment to Iraq," he began. "We've lost many throughout the company in sixteen months, and to save time and overpacking this place; we separated the memorials between platoons. Tonight, we honor and remember the soldiers of the Dragon Platoon, led by your own Second Lieutenant Hiccup Haddock," Hiccup never moved from his spot; he stayed firm in place. "And I believe it's only fitting that as he is their leader; he leads this tonight. Hiccup?"
Hiccup finally moved, taking Drago's place. It had been discussed before everyone showed up; he was supposed to say a piece for those lost, but now he found that his words had left him. Of course, this was the worst time to freeze and Hiccup didn't even have stage fright; this was just him not knowing what to say. Regardless; he couldn't just stay quiet. Come on, Hiccup…Say something. Anything. It doesn't have to be a speech, or even long. Just show your group you're with them, honoring and mourning the same as they. They're looking to you to lead as you have been for so long. You can do this. Hiccup told himself.
"He's hesitating," Dagur mentioned.
"He's never had to do this before, speak on behalf of those we lost," Eret reminded.
"It's always been Viggo up until Ryker passed on the third tour while we were on leave. Hiccup was only Viggo's second in command before Viggo moved to Viking Platoon, and Hiccup bumped into Second Lieutenant for Dragon," Thuggory stated.
"I don't even think it's about all that…" Astrid said gently as they glanced at her. "I think it's just…Painful. How do you stand in a room full of people and try to offer any form of comfort when everyone is hurting for the same reason, especially yourself?"
Hiccup took a deep breath. "I regret to inform that I'm not my father; I'm terrible at speeches, and don't like them because I personally feel that they take up far too much time. Also, I'm ridiculously unprepared for such, so…My platoon knows that I'm really good at winging things that somehow, by a grace of Odin, end up working out," Hiccup started.
"Yeah…" Eret stated.
"Ain't that the truth," Dagur added in.
"Hush you three," Hiccup smiled. "So, I'm not sure how much comfort this is gonna offer to those of us standing here mourning the people we lost over the course of sixteen months, but here we go. In true Dragon Platoon fashion; I'm gonna wing this, hope it works out, and keep it simple," he added. "They say that the two hardest things in life are saying hello for the first time, and saying goodbye for the last. So why should we stand here today and make it hard on ourselves when we know that the people we've lost wouldn't want us standing here being all upset that they're gone. They'd be shoving us around, telling us to suck it up. They'd want us taking shots, getting drunk, acting stupid, and going on like they're still with us," a few laughed, saying yeah, and agreeing with him.
"A long time ago, a really good friend of mine lost someone in war and I told her that those who no longer walk with us in life, fly beside in death. Years later, just this past June; that friend, who also happens to be the love of my life," Astrid blushed intently at his shout out to her. "And all you know who she is because I never shut up about her," Hiccup laughed a bit. "She said those same words back to me when I was standing around thinking about the people we no longer have with us. Thinking on those words now; it begs the question of what I said before about acting like our friends are still with us. Why do we have to act like it when we know they are? Just because they aren't here with us physically, and we can't see them doesn't mean they're gone,"
"Come on, we all know that they are here with us right here, right now. They're making sure we're good, watching our back as we all do for each other. They know we're missing them like crazy, but they won't want us to mope around. They want us to celebrate their lives, their sacrifice to our home. These losses weren't just soldiers; they were comrades, friends, a second family. And what do we do when we lose someone? We mourn, then we celebrate the good times. Why should that change now? So, here's a suggestion for us to get through this. If one of the hardest things to do is say goodbye…How about we don't do it then? Let's not say goodbye. Let's just say so long for now, until we meet again. And in the time we're all...Separated, let's celebrate them. Who's with me?!" Hiccup yelled out.
"YEAH!" the soldiers called back, cheering and smiling.
"Well said, lad," Drago nodded.
"Don't think I could have done a better job," Viggo smiled, patting Hiccup's shoulder. Johann and Krogan did the same. Hiccup felt good; it still sucked, but he was happy to see the smiling faces.
"Now…Let's wrap this up and celebrate," Drago stated.
"Yes, sir," Hiccup nodded to him. "Soldiers! Attention!" he shouted as the group of twenty-one snapped to position. "Honoring our fallen heroes and friends, prepare the crosses!" Hiccup ordered.
"Sir, yes sir!" the soldiers replied back as they moved to start getting what they needed.
"What's the crosses?" Tuffnut wondered.
"It's something used in the military to honor fallen soldiers. You'll see, the lad will explain as it's done," Gobber informed. The soldiers all grabbed a gun, boots, helmet, and a set of dog tags; there were fourteen sets of this, so the remaining soldiers who didn't grab something had pictures of the fallen soldiers.
"The battle cross represents the loss of a soldier on the battlefield. There are four pieces that make it up, and each piece represents something different. The rifle, inserted bayonet down signifies that the soldier went down fighting," Hiccup said as the soldiers placed the guns down. "The boots at the base to signify the soldier has taken their last stand," the boots were set at the base of the gun together. "The helmet on top, representing it's place on the head of soldier it once protected," he stated as the helmets were carefully balanced on the butts of the guns. "And the dog tags on the handle, revealing the soldier; the hero, who has fallen," the sets of dog tags hung on the handle of the guns. As this happened, the soldiers placing dog tags, worked with the ones holding pictures to place them where they belonged.
"Crosses set, sir," Dagur informed firmly.
"Dragon Platoon, attention!" Drago demanded as all twenty-two members stood in a straight line. "Hand salute for final roll call for the soldiers who have come home," Drago stated. The soldier brought their hands up as Drago began naming the fourteen who died in battle. On a screen that everyone could see; it showed the picture of the one who fell. In the midst of this, Viggo, Krogan, and Johann handed guns to Hiccup, Eret, Thuggory, and Dagur. "Stryker Unit, prepare gun salute," Drago said as the soldiers without guns stepped back, but kept their hands in salute.
"Stryker Unit, present arms!" Viggo commanded as the four soldiers brought up their guns. "Prepare arms," he said as the soldiers raised their weapons up. "Load!" he ordered as the weapons were prepared. "Fire!" he shouted as the guns went off together. This happened fourteen times, one shot for each fallen hero. The guns were eventually set at their sides as the ceremony concluded. The guns were put away, but the crosses remained up and probably would the rest of the party.
"That ends it, now let's celebrate," Drago said. "You did great, Lieutenant,"
"Thank you, sir," Hiccup replied calmly. Finally; it was over. The last thing to do was celebrate the lives of those who fell. Gods, Hiccup wanted a drink. He needed something to take the edge of how much this sucked off. Hiccup finally sat down at his table and took off his hat before sighing.
"That was lovely, what you said, son," Valka stated lightly to him.
"Just…Went with what felt right to say," Hiccup replied.
"You okay, babe?" Astrid put her arms around his shoulders softly and kissed his cheek.
"Yeah, I am. Just sucks, you know…" Hiccup told her. "Every platoon, the four that make up Alpha Company, had thirty-six members each. Okay? That's one hundred and forty-four people. I forget the totals of the others, but ours lost fourteen on the last tour in the course of sixteen months,"
"I know, baby; I'm so sorry," Astrid frowned. "It'll get easier with time,"
"I know it will, but you never forget," Hiccup informed. "Thanks for being here for me tonight,"
"You know you didn't even have to ask," Astrid chuckled a bit. "I would have snuck in, or begged if it meant I could be at your side,"
"As I would for you," Hiccup smiled a little before turning his head and kissing her deeply.
"Ooh!" his platoon teased him.
"Oh, fuck off all of you," Hunter mumbled as Astrid hid her face in his shoulder.
"Stop being such a dick; we're here to have a good time. You know they'd all be doing the same thing if they were here," Dagur stated. Hiccup, sadly, couldn't argue that. "Come on," he said, holding out a shot for Hiccup.
"We're all doing one," Thuggory mentioned. Hiccup stood up, taking the shot from Dagur.
"Dragon Platoon, on three; For our fallen friends and heroes; here's to you," Hiccup said raising his.
"One…Two…Three! For our fallen friends and heroes; here's to you!" the platoon called out as they raised their glasses and then drank it down before laughing. Hiccup sat back down as Astrid draped herself over his shoulders. Maybe today wasn't great, but it wasn't awful either. With the hard part out of the way; things could now turn to a after party, a celebration of life for those who were lost. Hiccup knew what was to come, though; a lot of talking about old memories and there would be music, food, and a slideshow of when these people started with dragon platoon, and when it ended. This was hard to get through, but Hiccup knew it'd be okay. He was surrounded by friends, family, and his amazing girlfriend.
"Permission to celebrate life, Lieutenant Haddock?" his three unit members asked with a salute.
"Permission granted," Hiccup saluted back with a smile. It would be a decent night with friends and memories of ones who passed. Tomorrow; Hiccup started moving into his house, and then…He was going on vacation with Astrid. Hiccup couldn't wait.
