Going Home
Corporal Walter Eugene O'Reilly was having trouble dozing off to sleep on the
plane from Hawaii to San Francisco. The plane ride to the Islands was uneventful which
was a relief to Radar. He was afraid that he would not make it. Colonel Blake didn't. So
many things were running wild in his head. His mom, and his uncle were taxing his
mind. He wished he could have been there for them. He also worried about his old
buddies back at the 4077th. He hoped Klinger knew how to do the job he left behind. Then
he thought about Colonel Blake, then everyone else all over again. Radar shut his eyes to
rest. He didn't know how long it would take to make it to the Golden Gates, but he felt a
good snooze would get him there and maybe it would get some of the troubles off his
mind.
Radar was abruptly waken to a frightening sound. It was a terrible sound it
reminded him of a bomb in Korea. He heard someone scream:
"An engine just exploded!"
The plane began a downward spiral. Radar freaked. He closed his eyes, grabbed
the cross Father Mulcahy slipped into his pocket as he left, and began to pray.
"Please God! I don't want to die! Help me! Someone up there help!"
And then it was like time stopped. Radar opened his eyes. Everyone looked as if
they were frozen in place. The plane was not going down. It was frozen in place too. He
turned to the empty seat beside him and almost had a heart attack.
Henry Blake looked at the shaken, Korean War veteran.
"How are you kid?"
"Col, Colonel B-Blake?"
"Yep. Miss me?"
"But, but, but, but, you're dead!"
"Really? I hadn't noticed. Maybe that's why I can't play golf anywhere but
Heaven."
"How are you even here?"
"You ever heard of ghosts? I was worried about you. I've been following you
since you left the camp. I didn't want you to get killed like me. So how have you been?"
"I don't know. I'm happy I'm going home, but-"
"But You're upset and worried about your mom and your Uncle and you're afraid
Klinger's going to mess up your job. Well listen. You and your Mom are going to be just
fine. Klinger will do a good job. Your Colonel Potter will see to that."
"Yeah he's a good guy."
"I know. He's a swell egg. That's why I made sure that he got the job instead of
Ferret Face Burns."
"What?"
"Never mind. I have a message from your Uncle Ed: He's proud of you for serving
your country well. He wants you to take care of the farm and your mom. He knows you'll
do a fine job. He would have came down with me, but he's still in line to get in Up There."
"What's it like Up There?"
"Pretty nice. There's no sickness or war or death, so there isn't a real need for a
Doctor. I spend most of my time golfing and fishing."
"What's God like?"
"He's the best. He's a good fisherman, but his golf game could use a little help.
Listen son I have to go. Just remember, everything's going to be okay."
"Yes sir."
"And remember what I said: You behave yourself, or I'll come back and kick your butt!"
"Yes sir!"
Radar closed his eyes and opened them. The plane was on the ground in San
Francisco. It all must have been a dream. Or was it? Radar opened his hand it was Colonel
Blake's Dad's pen."
He heard the Colonel's voice whisper:
"Make me proud son."
