Dear Mom,
Just got your gift package. And I'll be sure to share all the goodies with those in my squad bay. To tell you the truth, that package brightened a lot of moods. The holidays can be gruesome around here. Some of the troops are not able to go home for the holidays. For example, you remember I told you about Lifeline. His dad disowned him when he joined the army. Yet if it wasn't for Lifeline, a lot of guys wouldn't be here today, myself included. As a medic, he's got great hands. If he gets his head right, he'd be a damn fine doctor in the private sector. Over the holidays, he volunteers at a local hospital helping nurses with their workload. In the field, he's the guy who's out there busting his hump making sure everybody comes back alive. Even though he doesn't brandish a weapon he still fights with death. And when someone dies, he's the one that hurts the most. I don't say this much, but in my book, Lifeline's a real hero.
Take a walk with me Mom as I mosey over to the mess for a cup of coffee. I can hear pots and pans clanging in the kitchen area. It seems Roadblock is having another fit with the kitchen staff. He and Gung Ho have never agreed with the Armed Forces policy on outsourcing kitchen help. They say it compromises too much security. I just think they are afraid of the competition. In order to settle things, General Hawk approved a compromise. Roadblock would still be in charge of the mess with Gung Ho as his second, but the outsourced staff would report directly to him. Roadblock is currently throwing a fit right now about a ruined hollandaise sauce and how someone else's roux is not thick enough. He's always a perfectionist in the kitchen. And that's a good thing. We never miss one of his meals. Recently, I found out that us Joes are not the only ones that benefit from Roadblock's cooking. Shockwave & Mutt were on patrol in the city, when Junkyard picked up a scent. They followed it to a homeless vet shelter where they found Roadblock inside serving chow. He told them to keep it on the qt, but good news like that is hard to contain, specially when it reaches the ears of General Hawk. So orders came down that all Joes not on active duty were to report for mess duty at the homeless shelter. Scarlet, Lady Jaye and Cover Girl even volunteered extra food supplies from a few local markets. Those women sure have a way with fundraisers, Mom.
I have some more news about Gung Ho, Mom.It seems that he's found himself a little mess cook to chase after. During the interview process, Roadblock instructed the new recruits to create a dishes according to their station. One female souse chef created a dish of crawfish et-tu-fe that brought a tears to Gung Ho's eyes. The girl asked if something was wrong with the dish.Gung Ho said cheerfully, "Not at all chere, it just reminded me of my momma's cooking back home." Needless to say she got the job and Gung Ho is now first in line when it's her night to cook.
Cover Girl has just joined me for a cup of coffee. You remember her Mom. She the girl that looks like a super model. Right now she's unwinding with a cup of coffee after some harassment she's received in the motor pool. (Secretly I think she enjoys the attention.) She says Clutch is at it again, hitting on any female he can. Say what you want about him being a horn dog, Mom, but when the going gets tough, Clutch can get you out fast. We were on a mission once where we found ourselves pinned down behind enemy lines. Cobra was lobbing mortar rounds all around us and their snipers were picking us off ever time we tried to return fire. Everybody was scared. Our only mode for escape was an old duce and a half that was in worse shape than Uncle Toms Ford. That deuce was shot up, banged up and leaking fuel like seive. But Clutch some how got it patched and got is out of there asap. Say what you want about him being a nuisance, but I'm glad to serve with him.
General Hawk just walked in Mom. He says Merry Christmas. He's a very unique officer. He maybe top brass on the outside, but deep down he's a Joe just like the rest of us. He's not like other officers that I've served under, that just sit in the rear barking orders. He & Duke always lead by example and supports us 100 percent. On many occasions, Joes were in situations where other brass would write us off as casualty of war, but not General Hawk. Hawk would be the first on the tarmac starting up a chopper or a plane to bring his boys home. And believe it or not, we would do the same for him.
Well Mom, time to wrap this letter up. General Hawk, has called a team meeting. You know what that means. Time to go to work. I'll write again soon. Give everybody my love.
Ronnie