2110 Hrs Local, Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Waterloo, IA
The music ended and the pair walked back to the bar. Once seated Harm picked up the empty shot glass, turned it upside down on the bar, and tapped it with the index finger of his right hand.
"Why?"
"Because."
"That's not an answer."
"Yes, Harm it is if you're an alcoholic. There are two truths here, and you need to recognize them before you turn sanctimonious. First, I'm a mess right now, and secondly I don't know how to get my head straight. I know a drink doesn't help in the cosmic scheme of things, so don't give me that rant. I just really needed to feel something, even if it came from the burn of cheap scotch right now, tonight.
"Harm, I'm not going to sit here all night long and pound down bad blended scotch. Hell, I don't even like the stuff. If I didn't know you were here as a safety net I wouldn't be sitting on this bar stool. I'm not even sure I would have made it to Steve Newman's funeral.
"By the way, thank you for not being hard headed about the scotch tonight of all nights. If this had turned into a knock 'em down and drag 'em out fight I'm not sure how it would have come out. I am also positive it would have been a disaster for both of us. And as long as I am passing out thanks, I can't tell you how much just having you here helped. I'm not sure I would have made it through the last couple of days without my best friend."
Harm picked up Mac's chin and looked at her eyes. They seemed a little less troubled, and that was good enough for now.
The silence that fell over the two was a comfortable, familiar blanket that had been missing for a long time. Two cups of coffee were added to the scene, and the conversation picked up again.
0900 Hrs Local, JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, VA
After reading the entire after action report package for a second time the Admiral was furious. He had not used the pejorative terms REMF (rear echelon mother fucker) about a fellow officer in years, but that was the only description that came to mind as he read the CENTCOM transmittal slip one more time before calling Jennifer Coats into his office.
"Coats, I want to talk with the Commandant as soon as he has a spare moment, then I want to talk with Gen. Sanchez in Baghdad. Make both of those calls on the STU (secure telephone). While I am yapping with the big brass find out where these three Marines are and make arrangements to have them in this office ASAP. Finally find the commander and the colonel. I want them here ASAP also. Secure the hatch when you leave. That's all."
With a very quick "aye sir" PO Coats made her way out closing the door along the way. The call on Marine Corps Commandant's private line at 8th and I Street was quickly connected.
"Commandant's Office, Gunnery Sergeant Gill speaking. This line is secure. How may I help you?"
Coats concisely stated her business, and the gunny said the Commandant would be on the line in 60 seconds. After waiting exactly 30 seconds she buzzed the Admiral and told him the Commandant would be on the line in a few seconds.
"AJ! How the hell are you? More to the point, when are you coming across the river to visit your poor cousins over lunch?"
"General, I'm well and if I can ever get away from the sea lawyers on this ride of the Potomac I will be pleased to take you up on lunch. Now, I've got an 'out of school' question for you if there's a couple of minutes in your schedule."
The Commandant and A. J. Chegwidden had been friends for years, and time was always available. "My time is your time, at least until the chief of staff busts through the door and takes the phone out of my hand."
"Do you know if anyone of your staff has talked with some REMF at CENTCOM about a bullshit potential war crimes referral stemming from an Iraqi ambush down south of Baghdad a few days back? Four marines and a pair of officers were blown up in an LAV with one KIA."
The Commandant didn't even have to think about this one. In fact he had been on the phone offering condolences to the Newman's less than 30 minutes ago. "This is the Newman deal. Weren't the two officers yours?"
"Yes, general that's the one."
"AJ some asshole from CENTCOM talked to my chief of staff a couple of days ago about this. After my chief checked with his guys in country he told the colonel who called to pound sand in his ass. In fact, I believe Gen. Sanchez is sitting on some medal recommendations for all those involved. I do know that the Newman kid got a posthumous Silver Star.
"Don't tell me that somehow JAG is involved in this deal. I didn't read the after actions, but it sounded to command in Baghdad and to my guy like everybody should be in line for some kind words from on high."
That was all he needed to know, and the Admiral offered his thanks to the Commandant along with a reminder that traffic across the 14th Street Bridge ran both ways.
1015 Local, JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, VA
"Admiral," PO Coates voice on the speaker broke the silence, "Gen. Sanchez is on the line for you."
The secure satellite connection was very clear, and the voice from Iraq was a little unsure about why he was speaking to the Navy's Judge Advocate General himself. "Admiral, how can I help you this evening?"
"General, I am sorry to be calling at this hour, but a package of after action reports hit my desk this morning Washington time that I really need some help with. Are you familiar with an ambush gone bad south of Baghdad the other day where we took one KIA?"
It didn't take long for that event to pop back into the general's mind. "That's the Newman deal right?"
"Indeed."
"Admiral, I can't recall the details, but LCpl Newman got a Silver Star, and I think the staff judge advocate here is working the paper on some other awards. Do you want to talk to the paper pushers here at Fifth Corps?"
Just to be on the safe side there was one more question for the commander of U. S. forces in Iraq. "General, are you aware of any war crimes allegations or other illegal activity in connection with this incident to the best of your knowledge?"
That kind of on the record question would put a chill into even the warmest conversation.
"Admiral, although I will raise that question with the appropriate people at this end and have then contact you with their reports, to the best of my knowledge everyone involved, everyone reacted in a way that would have brought honor on themselves and their organizations. Unless someone at this end is working another agenda, if you have been apprised of any potential improper behavior you have been badly misinformed. Is there anything else sir?"
"General that will be all, and I thank you for your time."
1130 Local, JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, VA
A knock wrested Bud Roberts' attention away from West Law to the doorway where he was his commanding officer leaning on the doorframe. "Lunch plans Bud?"
Although he had planned to grab a quick lunch and get back to his research the answer was instant: "No sir."
"Excellent lieutenant. Tell Coats what you want from her menu selection then join me in my office. I have an assignment for you."
TBC?
The music ended and the pair walked back to the bar. Once seated Harm picked up the empty shot glass, turned it upside down on the bar, and tapped it with the index finger of his right hand.
"Why?"
"Because."
"That's not an answer."
"Yes, Harm it is if you're an alcoholic. There are two truths here, and you need to recognize them before you turn sanctimonious. First, I'm a mess right now, and secondly I don't know how to get my head straight. I know a drink doesn't help in the cosmic scheme of things, so don't give me that rant. I just really needed to feel something, even if it came from the burn of cheap scotch right now, tonight.
"Harm, I'm not going to sit here all night long and pound down bad blended scotch. Hell, I don't even like the stuff. If I didn't know you were here as a safety net I wouldn't be sitting on this bar stool. I'm not even sure I would have made it to Steve Newman's funeral.
"By the way, thank you for not being hard headed about the scotch tonight of all nights. If this had turned into a knock 'em down and drag 'em out fight I'm not sure how it would have come out. I am also positive it would have been a disaster for both of us. And as long as I am passing out thanks, I can't tell you how much just having you here helped. I'm not sure I would have made it through the last couple of days without my best friend."
Harm picked up Mac's chin and looked at her eyes. They seemed a little less troubled, and that was good enough for now.
The silence that fell over the two was a comfortable, familiar blanket that had been missing for a long time. Two cups of coffee were added to the scene, and the conversation picked up again.
0900 Hrs Local, JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, VA
After reading the entire after action report package for a second time the Admiral was furious. He had not used the pejorative terms REMF (rear echelon mother fucker) about a fellow officer in years, but that was the only description that came to mind as he read the CENTCOM transmittal slip one more time before calling Jennifer Coats into his office.
"Coats, I want to talk with the Commandant as soon as he has a spare moment, then I want to talk with Gen. Sanchez in Baghdad. Make both of those calls on the STU (secure telephone). While I am yapping with the big brass find out where these three Marines are and make arrangements to have them in this office ASAP. Finally find the commander and the colonel. I want them here ASAP also. Secure the hatch when you leave. That's all."
With a very quick "aye sir" PO Coats made her way out closing the door along the way. The call on Marine Corps Commandant's private line at 8th and I Street was quickly connected.
"Commandant's Office, Gunnery Sergeant Gill speaking. This line is secure. How may I help you?"
Coats concisely stated her business, and the gunny said the Commandant would be on the line in 60 seconds. After waiting exactly 30 seconds she buzzed the Admiral and told him the Commandant would be on the line in a few seconds.
"AJ! How the hell are you? More to the point, when are you coming across the river to visit your poor cousins over lunch?"
"General, I'm well and if I can ever get away from the sea lawyers on this ride of the Potomac I will be pleased to take you up on lunch. Now, I've got an 'out of school' question for you if there's a couple of minutes in your schedule."
The Commandant and A. J. Chegwidden had been friends for years, and time was always available. "My time is your time, at least until the chief of staff busts through the door and takes the phone out of my hand."
"Do you know if anyone of your staff has talked with some REMF at CENTCOM about a bullshit potential war crimes referral stemming from an Iraqi ambush down south of Baghdad a few days back? Four marines and a pair of officers were blown up in an LAV with one KIA."
The Commandant didn't even have to think about this one. In fact he had been on the phone offering condolences to the Newman's less than 30 minutes ago. "This is the Newman deal. Weren't the two officers yours?"
"Yes, general that's the one."
"AJ some asshole from CENTCOM talked to my chief of staff a couple of days ago about this. After my chief checked with his guys in country he told the colonel who called to pound sand in his ass. In fact, I believe Gen. Sanchez is sitting on some medal recommendations for all those involved. I do know that the Newman kid got a posthumous Silver Star.
"Don't tell me that somehow JAG is involved in this deal. I didn't read the after actions, but it sounded to command in Baghdad and to my guy like everybody should be in line for some kind words from on high."
That was all he needed to know, and the Admiral offered his thanks to the Commandant along with a reminder that traffic across the 14th Street Bridge ran both ways.
1015 Local, JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, VA
"Admiral," PO Coates voice on the speaker broke the silence, "Gen. Sanchez is on the line for you."
The secure satellite connection was very clear, and the voice from Iraq was a little unsure about why he was speaking to the Navy's Judge Advocate General himself. "Admiral, how can I help you this evening?"
"General, I am sorry to be calling at this hour, but a package of after action reports hit my desk this morning Washington time that I really need some help with. Are you familiar with an ambush gone bad south of Baghdad the other day where we took one KIA?"
It didn't take long for that event to pop back into the general's mind. "That's the Newman deal right?"
"Indeed."
"Admiral, I can't recall the details, but LCpl Newman got a Silver Star, and I think the staff judge advocate here is working the paper on some other awards. Do you want to talk to the paper pushers here at Fifth Corps?"
Just to be on the safe side there was one more question for the commander of U. S. forces in Iraq. "General, are you aware of any war crimes allegations or other illegal activity in connection with this incident to the best of your knowledge?"
That kind of on the record question would put a chill into even the warmest conversation.
"Admiral, although I will raise that question with the appropriate people at this end and have then contact you with their reports, to the best of my knowledge everyone involved, everyone reacted in a way that would have brought honor on themselves and their organizations. Unless someone at this end is working another agenda, if you have been apprised of any potential improper behavior you have been badly misinformed. Is there anything else sir?"
"General that will be all, and I thank you for your time."
1130 Local, JAG Headquarters, Falls Church, VA
A knock wrested Bud Roberts' attention away from West Law to the doorway where he was his commanding officer leaning on the doorframe. "Lunch plans Bud?"
Although he had planned to grab a quick lunch and get back to his research the answer was instant: "No sir."
"Excellent lieutenant. Tell Coats what you want from her menu selection then join me in my office. I have an assignment for you."
TBC?
