Chapter Two: Farewells
The personnel at the 4077th M*A*S*H unit continued to celebrate the news of the war ending despite the ceasefire not being official for another few hours. The O.R room was surprisingly quiet and there were no causalities.
Hawkeye had finished his letter to his Dad and sent it over to Radar for priority mail. When he got back to the Swamp, there was no sign of Trapper. 'Probably celebrating with a nurse' laughed Hawkeye to himself.
He lay back on his bed, in somewhat bewildered awe of the continuous celebrations going on around him. Hawkeye had been homesick from the moment he boarded the plane to come to this desolate place. He didn't want to get his hopes up too much in case he would end up disappointed. Hawkeye knew that he couldn't stand it if they were told the ceasefire was called off. He just wanted to get through the next few hours and when the official announcement was made, that is when he would starting relaxing.
Around the compound other staff were adjusting to the news.
"Oh Frank, now it's all over where does that leave us?" cried Margaret. She knew that Frank would never leave his wife and that she would end up being shipped to another military outfit and be back to square one.
"Margaret, I will miss you so," said Frank burying his face into her neck.
"You don't have to miss me Frank, we could still be together after the war."
Frank stared back in amazement at the Major's suggestion. Frank was a weasel of a man, all the tricks that Hawkeye and Trapper had played on him were justified. He wanted his cake and eat it, but even Frank knew this was impossible. Unless of course Margaret moved closer to him.
"Margaret, what are you saying? I don't think my wife would be very happy, if I brought you home to meet the family."
"Frank!" exasperated Margaret. "I wasn't meaning you take me home as your war trophy, but after all this time why can't you leave her. After all you love me don't you?"
Margaret didn't know why she wanted and needed Frank so much. She guessed it was her need for control. She took charge of their relationship from the moment Frank stepped off the bus and into her arms. She couldn't see herself with anyone else, a sad confession to make but she did love him.
"Of course I love you," he agreed kissing her again. "But I can't leave my wife, she would kill me."
"Fine Frank, if that is how you feel then there is nothing more to say is there. Now please leave." She stood up and showed him the door.
Frank felt he could say little else to change her mind. He hated the fact he couldn't stand up to his wife but his reputation back home was too important to him to tarnish. By the time he reached the Swamp, he had already convinced himself that Margaret would understand and that he was doing the right thing.
* * * * * *
Klinger was sitting in the Mess tent, which was unusually quiet. Klinger looked around his surroundings with a heavy heart. Who would have thought the one man who spent the whole war trying to get out of the war, would ever miss it.
"Can I join you Klinger?" asked Father Mulcahy.
"Certainly Father."
"Nice outfit, is that what you're wearing to go home in?"
Klinger laughed "No Father, I will be a true gentlemen to meet my wife."
"You seem unhappy, I thought you'd be the first person to celebrate."
"Funny thing is Father, I will miss the place. Does that sound crazy?"
"No at all. It isn't the war you'll miss Klinger, but the people. You have been with them through the harshest times and despite the deprivation and misery we have pulled each other through."
Klinger listened intently to the wise words of the priest. Father Mulcahy always knew the right words to say in any given situation. He was never too religious, if that was possible for a priest to be and kept everyone at ease within the toughest circumstances and when all hope seemed lost.
"You're right Father, I will miss your kindly advice for a start."
Father Mulcahy smiled. He was very fond of Klinger and hated to see him unhappy on what should be such a joyous occasion.
"I'll miss you too Klinger. It was the highlight of my day to see what dress you would wearing each morning to breakfast. What are you planning to do with them when you go?"
"I would like you to have them Father." Father Mulcahy gave a look concern in Klinger's direction in which he quickly added, "To sell I mean, raise some money for the orphanage."
"Oh right, well that is a very generous offer Klinger."
"That's ok, in fact I will go and pack them up now and get into my Army fatigues. I may as well get some use out of them."
"Fine, Klinger," replied Father Mulcahy settling down to his cup of undrinkable coffee.
* * * * * *
"Radar!!!!," called Henry. "Have you managed to get hold........"
"Sir, I have contacted your wife, she wasn't home. I can only get your another phone call tomorrow."
"That's ok Radar."
Henry looked to Radar as his son. He never wanted to admit that but secretly he liked it that Radar though of him that way. Radar's father had been too old to be part of his life and Henry enjoyed filling his shoes for the past two years.
"Sir, can you sign these. They're the discharge papers for the nurses and the enlisted men. They will be shipped out at 09:00 tomorrow morning."
"I still can't believe it. Are you sure you don't mind staying?"
"No Sir, I know there is paperwork to sort out and the phone will still need manning, a few more days is nothing to me."
Radar smiled warmly at his commanding officer. If Radar was honest, he didn't want to leave his friends. Despite Trapper and Hawkeye's jokes about his height, they and Colonel Blake has shown him more love and affection that anyone is his life previous to being drafted.
"You're a good boy Radar," smiled Henry, signing his name to the papers.
* * * * * *
"Oh, so you're finally awake," said Trapper. "I don't know how you managed to sleep through this noise."
Hawkeye's eyes sprung open. He had been asleep a good couple of hours, the camp was in darkness and Trapper was sat on his bed shaving.
"What time is it?"
"About 9:30pm, you didn't miss it. Say everyone's getting together for a drink and Henry is making a speech in the Mess tent."
"I can't miss that now can I," said Hawkeye in full sarcastic mode.
Trapper laughed. "No, but it is the nurses last night and Margie was hoping you would come."
"Well I mustn't let my public down," said Hawkeye yawning and climbing out of bed.
* * * * * *
The Mess tent was crowded with the complete staff of the 4077th, still in the highest spirits. The noise was only dulled when Corporal O'Reilly stood his 5ft 5ins frame up in the middle of the sea of faces and yelled "QUIET," to which he got an instant response.
"Thank you Radar," said Henry, who had taken his position at the podium at the front of the crowd.
"As you are all aware, in exactly....." he looked at Radar for conformation of the time.
"Six minutes, Sir," whispered Radar.
"Six minutes, we will be hearing from General Mitchell that the ceasefire has begun and the war is over."
A huge cheer went up from the staff with Trapper and Hawkeye yelling the loudest.
"So, we will be going our separate ways and heading back to our loved ones. As your commanding officer, I feel it is my duty to say a few words about the time we have shared together."
"The less said the better, Henry," called Hawkeye. "Things could turn ugly."
"That's enough Pierce, we haven't got much time before the announcement. I just want to say that you have been a swell bunch of guys and gals to work with and even though the circumstances of our stay here haven't been the best to work under, we still have made some great friends and I will miss each and every one of you."
Henry was just about to continue with the rest of his awkward speech when the voice came over the tannoy.
"Attention all personnel. We have been informed from headquarters that the war has officially been brought to an end. In one minute the guns will stop and there will be silence."
Nobody spoke, nobody dare even breath. This was it, the moment that every single member of the 4077th had been waiting for. Radar gave the signal that the silence signified that it was all over.
"That's it people, it's all over," said Henry.
His speech was drowned out by rejoicing and singing in the Mess tent.
"Well Trap, we made it," said Hawkeye. "We're finally going home."
"Nice going buddy," answered Trapper shaking his hand. "Now let's go find a nurse and celebrate."
* * * * * *
The next morning, the camp was deserted. There was no early morning call and no wounded arriving. The celebrations had gone on into the early hours of the morning. Trapper and Hawkeye had passed out on the Swamp floor. When they finally came too, it was almost time for the regular staff to depart for their homes across America.
"Hawk, come on get up. You wanna say goodbye don't ya?"
"I said my goodbye last night," mumbled Hawkeye.
Trapper pulled back his blanket and pushed him out of his cot. Hawkeye groaned as the sunlight hit his face.
Outside, the compound was a flurry of people running about, saying last goodbyes and packing their suitcases. The only people not packing were the few sad faces who were staying behind.
"Mornin' Sirs," said Radar.
"Mornin' Radar, how you bearing up?" asked Trapper sensing the regret that the young Corporal felt.
"Ok, we'll be doing the same in a couple of days," he replied positively.
"Say, shall we have a farewell drink tonight in the Mess tent," said Henry, joining the rest.
"Sounds good to me," smiled Hawkeye.
The ten remaining staff stood on the side lines watching their friends leaving by jeep, bus and chopper. Each nurse had given a personal farewell to Hawkeye and Trapper. Margaret had given her final speech to the nurses and Father Mulcahy had blessed every staff member as they left.
It wasn't long before they were all gone. The camp seemed barren with only the skeleton staff left.
"C'mon fellas and ladies. I'll buy you all at drink at the club."
"Can be barman, Sir?" asked Radar.
"Yes, off you go Radar," said Henry.
As they headed for the club, Radar stopped suddenly and looked to the sky.
"No, Radar not now."
"Sorry sirs, choppers on their way."
"C'mon then, let's get scrubbed up. Father, Radar you'd better come too. We may need extra help."
They all ran over to the O.R and headed for the scrub room. Frank, Margaret and Klinger took the jeep up to the chopper pad and went to assist the causalities arriving.
"Margaret, I just want to apologise for my behaviour earlier," began Frank as they drove.
"This is not the time or the place, Frank. I don't want to here you feeble excuses anymore."
"Sorry you got shot down, Sir," said Klinger.
"Oh shut up. I don't need advice from men in dresses, thanks all the same."
* * * * * *
"Typical," sighed Henry. "We haven't had any patients for forty-eight hours and no sooner is the compound vacated, we get some wounded in."
"Way to state the obvious Henry," said Trapper.
The causalities, as it turned out were only three soldiers who had been caught in the crossfire just before the peace treaty was announced. The injuries were only slight on two of the soldiers but the third had caught the worst of the blast.
"Pierce, McIntyre, how's it goin?" asked Henry from the other operating table.
"The kid's in a bad way but he'll make it," said Hawkeye.
"Ok, this one is done. Frank's on a break and unless we get anymore causalities tonight, I will be in my tent."
Klinger and Henry picked up the stretcher and headed for pre-op. Before they got to the door and tremendous blast hit the door and knocked them to the ground. The O.R became a panic zone in seconds as the full impact of the explosion pulled the roof crashing down onto the helpless victims below. Within seconds the whole building had been destroyed and the staff of the 4077th were trapped inside.
The personnel at the 4077th M*A*S*H unit continued to celebrate the news of the war ending despite the ceasefire not being official for another few hours. The O.R room was surprisingly quiet and there were no causalities.
Hawkeye had finished his letter to his Dad and sent it over to Radar for priority mail. When he got back to the Swamp, there was no sign of Trapper. 'Probably celebrating with a nurse' laughed Hawkeye to himself.
He lay back on his bed, in somewhat bewildered awe of the continuous celebrations going on around him. Hawkeye had been homesick from the moment he boarded the plane to come to this desolate place. He didn't want to get his hopes up too much in case he would end up disappointed. Hawkeye knew that he couldn't stand it if they were told the ceasefire was called off. He just wanted to get through the next few hours and when the official announcement was made, that is when he would starting relaxing.
Around the compound other staff were adjusting to the news.
"Oh Frank, now it's all over where does that leave us?" cried Margaret. She knew that Frank would never leave his wife and that she would end up being shipped to another military outfit and be back to square one.
"Margaret, I will miss you so," said Frank burying his face into her neck.
"You don't have to miss me Frank, we could still be together after the war."
Frank stared back in amazement at the Major's suggestion. Frank was a weasel of a man, all the tricks that Hawkeye and Trapper had played on him were justified. He wanted his cake and eat it, but even Frank knew this was impossible. Unless of course Margaret moved closer to him.
"Margaret, what are you saying? I don't think my wife would be very happy, if I brought you home to meet the family."
"Frank!" exasperated Margaret. "I wasn't meaning you take me home as your war trophy, but after all this time why can't you leave her. After all you love me don't you?"
Margaret didn't know why she wanted and needed Frank so much. She guessed it was her need for control. She took charge of their relationship from the moment Frank stepped off the bus and into her arms. She couldn't see herself with anyone else, a sad confession to make but she did love him.
"Of course I love you," he agreed kissing her again. "But I can't leave my wife, she would kill me."
"Fine Frank, if that is how you feel then there is nothing more to say is there. Now please leave." She stood up and showed him the door.
Frank felt he could say little else to change her mind. He hated the fact he couldn't stand up to his wife but his reputation back home was too important to him to tarnish. By the time he reached the Swamp, he had already convinced himself that Margaret would understand and that he was doing the right thing.
* * * * * *
Klinger was sitting in the Mess tent, which was unusually quiet. Klinger looked around his surroundings with a heavy heart. Who would have thought the one man who spent the whole war trying to get out of the war, would ever miss it.
"Can I join you Klinger?" asked Father Mulcahy.
"Certainly Father."
"Nice outfit, is that what you're wearing to go home in?"
Klinger laughed "No Father, I will be a true gentlemen to meet my wife."
"You seem unhappy, I thought you'd be the first person to celebrate."
"Funny thing is Father, I will miss the place. Does that sound crazy?"
"No at all. It isn't the war you'll miss Klinger, but the people. You have been with them through the harshest times and despite the deprivation and misery we have pulled each other through."
Klinger listened intently to the wise words of the priest. Father Mulcahy always knew the right words to say in any given situation. He was never too religious, if that was possible for a priest to be and kept everyone at ease within the toughest circumstances and when all hope seemed lost.
"You're right Father, I will miss your kindly advice for a start."
Father Mulcahy smiled. He was very fond of Klinger and hated to see him unhappy on what should be such a joyous occasion.
"I'll miss you too Klinger. It was the highlight of my day to see what dress you would wearing each morning to breakfast. What are you planning to do with them when you go?"
"I would like you to have them Father." Father Mulcahy gave a look concern in Klinger's direction in which he quickly added, "To sell I mean, raise some money for the orphanage."
"Oh right, well that is a very generous offer Klinger."
"That's ok, in fact I will go and pack them up now and get into my Army fatigues. I may as well get some use out of them."
"Fine, Klinger," replied Father Mulcahy settling down to his cup of undrinkable coffee.
* * * * * *
"Radar!!!!," called Henry. "Have you managed to get hold........"
"Sir, I have contacted your wife, she wasn't home. I can only get your another phone call tomorrow."
"That's ok Radar."
Henry looked to Radar as his son. He never wanted to admit that but secretly he liked it that Radar though of him that way. Radar's father had been too old to be part of his life and Henry enjoyed filling his shoes for the past two years.
"Sir, can you sign these. They're the discharge papers for the nurses and the enlisted men. They will be shipped out at 09:00 tomorrow morning."
"I still can't believe it. Are you sure you don't mind staying?"
"No Sir, I know there is paperwork to sort out and the phone will still need manning, a few more days is nothing to me."
Radar smiled warmly at his commanding officer. If Radar was honest, he didn't want to leave his friends. Despite Trapper and Hawkeye's jokes about his height, they and Colonel Blake has shown him more love and affection that anyone is his life previous to being drafted.
"You're a good boy Radar," smiled Henry, signing his name to the papers.
* * * * * *
"Oh, so you're finally awake," said Trapper. "I don't know how you managed to sleep through this noise."
Hawkeye's eyes sprung open. He had been asleep a good couple of hours, the camp was in darkness and Trapper was sat on his bed shaving.
"What time is it?"
"About 9:30pm, you didn't miss it. Say everyone's getting together for a drink and Henry is making a speech in the Mess tent."
"I can't miss that now can I," said Hawkeye in full sarcastic mode.
Trapper laughed. "No, but it is the nurses last night and Margie was hoping you would come."
"Well I mustn't let my public down," said Hawkeye yawning and climbing out of bed.
* * * * * *
The Mess tent was crowded with the complete staff of the 4077th, still in the highest spirits. The noise was only dulled when Corporal O'Reilly stood his 5ft 5ins frame up in the middle of the sea of faces and yelled "QUIET," to which he got an instant response.
"Thank you Radar," said Henry, who had taken his position at the podium at the front of the crowd.
"As you are all aware, in exactly....." he looked at Radar for conformation of the time.
"Six minutes, Sir," whispered Radar.
"Six minutes, we will be hearing from General Mitchell that the ceasefire has begun and the war is over."
A huge cheer went up from the staff with Trapper and Hawkeye yelling the loudest.
"So, we will be going our separate ways and heading back to our loved ones. As your commanding officer, I feel it is my duty to say a few words about the time we have shared together."
"The less said the better, Henry," called Hawkeye. "Things could turn ugly."
"That's enough Pierce, we haven't got much time before the announcement. I just want to say that you have been a swell bunch of guys and gals to work with and even though the circumstances of our stay here haven't been the best to work under, we still have made some great friends and I will miss each and every one of you."
Henry was just about to continue with the rest of his awkward speech when the voice came over the tannoy.
"Attention all personnel. We have been informed from headquarters that the war has officially been brought to an end. In one minute the guns will stop and there will be silence."
Nobody spoke, nobody dare even breath. This was it, the moment that every single member of the 4077th had been waiting for. Radar gave the signal that the silence signified that it was all over.
"That's it people, it's all over," said Henry.
His speech was drowned out by rejoicing and singing in the Mess tent.
"Well Trap, we made it," said Hawkeye. "We're finally going home."
"Nice going buddy," answered Trapper shaking his hand. "Now let's go find a nurse and celebrate."
* * * * * *
The next morning, the camp was deserted. There was no early morning call and no wounded arriving. The celebrations had gone on into the early hours of the morning. Trapper and Hawkeye had passed out on the Swamp floor. When they finally came too, it was almost time for the regular staff to depart for their homes across America.
"Hawk, come on get up. You wanna say goodbye don't ya?"
"I said my goodbye last night," mumbled Hawkeye.
Trapper pulled back his blanket and pushed him out of his cot. Hawkeye groaned as the sunlight hit his face.
Outside, the compound was a flurry of people running about, saying last goodbyes and packing their suitcases. The only people not packing were the few sad faces who were staying behind.
"Mornin' Sirs," said Radar.
"Mornin' Radar, how you bearing up?" asked Trapper sensing the regret that the young Corporal felt.
"Ok, we'll be doing the same in a couple of days," he replied positively.
"Say, shall we have a farewell drink tonight in the Mess tent," said Henry, joining the rest.
"Sounds good to me," smiled Hawkeye.
The ten remaining staff stood on the side lines watching their friends leaving by jeep, bus and chopper. Each nurse had given a personal farewell to Hawkeye and Trapper. Margaret had given her final speech to the nurses and Father Mulcahy had blessed every staff member as they left.
It wasn't long before they were all gone. The camp seemed barren with only the skeleton staff left.
"C'mon fellas and ladies. I'll buy you all at drink at the club."
"Can be barman, Sir?" asked Radar.
"Yes, off you go Radar," said Henry.
As they headed for the club, Radar stopped suddenly and looked to the sky.
"No, Radar not now."
"Sorry sirs, choppers on their way."
"C'mon then, let's get scrubbed up. Father, Radar you'd better come too. We may need extra help."
They all ran over to the O.R and headed for the scrub room. Frank, Margaret and Klinger took the jeep up to the chopper pad and went to assist the causalities arriving.
"Margaret, I just want to apologise for my behaviour earlier," began Frank as they drove.
"This is not the time or the place, Frank. I don't want to here you feeble excuses anymore."
"Sorry you got shot down, Sir," said Klinger.
"Oh shut up. I don't need advice from men in dresses, thanks all the same."
* * * * * *
"Typical," sighed Henry. "We haven't had any patients for forty-eight hours and no sooner is the compound vacated, we get some wounded in."
"Way to state the obvious Henry," said Trapper.
The causalities, as it turned out were only three soldiers who had been caught in the crossfire just before the peace treaty was announced. The injuries were only slight on two of the soldiers but the third had caught the worst of the blast.
"Pierce, McIntyre, how's it goin?" asked Henry from the other operating table.
"The kid's in a bad way but he'll make it," said Hawkeye.
"Ok, this one is done. Frank's on a break and unless we get anymore causalities tonight, I will be in my tent."
Klinger and Henry picked up the stretcher and headed for pre-op. Before they got to the door and tremendous blast hit the door and knocked them to the ground. The O.R became a panic zone in seconds as the full impact of the explosion pulled the roof crashing down onto the helpless victims below. Within seconds the whole building had been destroyed and the staff of the 4077th were trapped inside.