TWENTY NINE


Dec. 7th: 0800 hours

Inside her tent, Lieutenant Kellye Tanakhamara was writing a letter:

Hi Crockett,

I'm sorry I haven't written you sooner. But, we've been very busy here.

I just got back from our Pearl Harbor memorial service. The colonel had announced that, instead of the usual Sunday sermon today, he and Father Mulcahy would be presenting a special flag raising ceremony at dawn for anyone who cared to attend.

This is the first day, in several days, that we haven't had the OR up and going. Everyone needed the rest. So, I was surprised at how many people showed up.

The wind was really blowing and we were huddled together against the cold waiting until Colonel Potter arrived. He said that today was the day he always made certain that the American flag was flying as the sun rose.

We all snapped to attention and saluted as he raised the flag to the top of the pole. "A date that will live in infamy," (Franklin Roosevelt) the colonel commented, sadly. "I lost several good friends that day. And many more in the terrible days that followed."

Father Mulcahy gave a brief talk on remembering the ones who had died and the sacrifices that were made, and how we needed to keep those lessons in our hearts.

As taps was being played, and we watched the 'Stars and Stripes' unfurl in the morning breeze; I saw that Sarabeth had tears rolling down her cheeks. She wasn't the only one crying, either.

I remember that day very vividly. We had left Honolulu early that morning to go inland to visit some of my mother's cousins. We never saw any of the Japanese planes but we heard all of the explosions and saw those thick, black clouds of smoke.

We hurried back to see what had happened; and to help where we could. Because my mother was a nurse's aide at the hospital, we were allowed on the base. It was really horrible: blood and bodies everywhere, men with terrible burns and lost limbs; so much pain and suffering. Similar to what we see here, except, on a much larger scale.

It made a big impression on a 15 year old. I decided right then and there to become a nurse so that I could help ease some of that suffering. Of course, as a child, I had always bandaged every stray animal that my brother brought home---whether it needed it, or not. Seeing all that devastation was the deciding factor, however.

Anyway, on to other things: I did receive your package the other day. Thank you very much! The stockings fit perfectly. When I showed Sarabeth the part in your note where you said you reckoned that I would look better in these stockings than you would---she laughed and laughed.

We also got the movie that you sent. Colonel Potter said we didn't have to wait until Sarabeth returned from Tokyo to see it. So we set up the projector in the mess tent and watched it that night. I had never seen 'Stagecoach' before. It was a good movie! Since it was a western; Hawkeye Pierce tried to make fun of it while the film was going on but the colonel, and others, quickly made him be quiet.

We're going to be watching it again this afternoon. I'm looking forward to it.

I wish I had gotten the chance to speak with Fannin the other day when he delivered your packages. I like him. You're right; he does have a lot of anger and sadness bottled up inside him. But he seemed to be having fun at our Thanksgiving meal; and at the 'fireside chat' with Sherry Riggs.

Monica Parnelli managed to talk to him, though. I have no idea what she said but he certainly left in a hurry. Klinger said he looked very angry. I hope everything turned out all right.

Parnelli was mad because she thought her two-day pass to Seoul was going to be cancelled. She was surprised (so were the rest of us) when Major Houlihan announced that her leave request was still in effect. It didn't take her long to pack and requisition a jeep to Kimpo. She came back telling everyone about her all-night partying. She also came back complaining that she had to ride back in a supply truck with an armed guard. She used, having to wait for a truck to become available, as her excuse for arriving four hours later than she was supposed to. She still got assigned to bed pan duty.

Guess what? According to rumor, Colonel Blankenship, after working a very long OR session here, has decided that every MASH outfit should have a minimum of twelve nurses. So, we're supposed to get two additional nurses at the first of the year. That is good news—if it is true. We can certainly use the extra hands.

I guess that's all for now. Please keep writing to me. And, please, take care of yourself!

Kellye


Inside his tent, Major Charles Winchester was also writing a letter:

My Dear Honoria,

I apologize for not writing sooner. For the past few days, we have received so many wounded soldiers and civilians that I have hardly had time to rest, let alone compose a message.

As you have certainly noticed; this letter is written on stationery from Tokyo General Hospital. Unfortunately, I have not been transferred back there. I was only in Tokyo to give a series of lectures on medial field treatment. Sarabeth was also there, looking up patient records.

We didn't have time to participate in many of the cultural activities that are available in that wonderful city. We did eat at the White Lotus that first night we arrived. As usual, the food was superb and the atmosphere was excellent. And, relaxing and talking with her, in a totally different environment than this hideous acreage of Hades, was very enjoyable.

While we were there, I gave Sarabeth her bluebonnet necklace. As she opened that box, it was difficult to tell which was sparkling more...the necklace or her eyes. Both were lovely. That Texas lady was very pleased with her gift. You did an excellent job, sweet sister. And I thank you for all your efforts on my behalf.

The next afternoon, after we had finished with our assignments, we spent most of our time in the small shops located near the base. Sarabeth was searching for special gifts to send to her family and items to give to the 4077th personnel. She put a great deal of thought...and a great deal of her heart...into each purchase.

For example: for her mother, she selected an ivory carving of a woman standing beneath an arched trellis that was covered with tiny roses and nesting birds. The craftsmanship of that piece was superb! You could almost smell those flowers and hear the birds singing.

For Colonel Potter, she chose a figure of a soldier on a war horse. Again, the details on the carving were amazing.

For B J Hunnicutt, she found a wooden carving of a man reading a book to a small child. I liked the way she smiled when she examined that figurine.

For her brother, Crockett, she purchased one of those puzzle boxes; the kind that can be opened only if you know the proper sequence of wooden panels to move. After a few attempts, Sarabeth opened the box. She laughed and said that her brother would probably have it solved by the time he unwrapped it from the paper.

Although she found something for everyone on her list, she had not planned to get anything for herself. I did persuade her to buy the small ivory statue of a dog guarding over a baby that she admired. I would have bought it for her, but she refused to allow me to spend any additional money on her. Sarabeth can be very stubborn (or hard-headed as she would say) sometimes.

She selected a beautiful silk kimono for you. It is sapphire blue and is layered with gold and green embroidered peacock feathers. I purchased it and had it shipped home. I am hoping that you receive it soon. It is exquisite! You are going to look so lovely in that robe...even lovelier than you already are.

At that same shop, I also found one that looked like it was created especially for Sarabeth. It's a delicate, off-white covering with incredible needlework: starting at the hem, dark green sea waves, outlined in gold thread, surge upward; a spray of pale green foam splashes across the front and left shoulder. I told her that I was giving to Mother. Actually, however, I intend to give it to her for Christmas.

And now, Honoria, you must not read this portion of my letter to Mother.

It was a wonderful relief to be away from the artillery and rats. While I expect such ill-fated occurrences in Korea, I had not anticipated on having to deal with accountants and skunks, in Tokyo, however. It all started at the White Lotus...


Dec 7th: 1300 hours

Inside the mess tent, the medical personnel were watching the much anticipated film again. Opening the door, moving inside, and quickly closing the door behind her, a ward nurse approached the surgeon on duty.

"I'm sorry, sir," Lieutenant MacAllister whispered to Captain Hunnicutt, "But, you're needed in post-op, right away."

The doctor followed the woman to the hospital building. He was confused when, instead of entering the recovery ward, the Texan led him to the company clerk's office. "What's going on?" He demanded.

"Sorry, sir, I lied to you," Sarabeth MacAllister admitted with a grin. "One of Crockett's men is on the line. He reports that Peg and Erin have arrived, safe and sound, in Tokyo. They're checking into the hotel, right now. I thought you might like to speak to them."

"They're HERE! They're actually here!"

"Sh-h-h-h! You're not supposed to know anything about this, remember!" The man's delighted shout was quickly quieted by both Klinger and MacAllister's shushing admonishments.

"You better hurry, sir," Corporal Klinger advised. "I can only hold this line for about five minutes longer." He held the handset to the man.

Nearly dropping the phone in his excitement, B J spoke into the receiver, "Hello? Peg? Peg, darling, are you there?..."


When he returned to watch the rest of the movie, even when it seemed that all would surely be lost, and there was no hope of rescue for the characters on the screen, B J Hunnicutt sat in the darkness with the happiest of smiles on his face.