After receiving the orders from Major Andersen and dinner had finished, the ten soldiers of Striker One made their way to the barrack to start packing their belongings to return home with on Sunday at three in the morning. It was going to be a long flight and day for the group. Flying for twelve or so hours, then preform the dignified transfer, also attend the ceremonies for Jay and Liz, and finally after that they could see their own families and go home and have a few days to mourn before starting their leave time. Hunter would have to contact his father about coming back because he needed his formals and Treyden's too which a set was thankfully over at Hunter's place for the just in case purpose that they might be necessary and Treyden's Dad wasn't home to bring them.
Hunter decided to wait on calling home until they were on a layover, it would be easier that way but Hunter didn't know if he would tell his Dad about what was going on. Once his father knew he was coming home, he would tell everyone else and they would all end up wanting to be at the airport to see him. Hunter didn't want to see his mother still but couldn't be an ass to her either. It didn't matter, he wasn't going to be happy to see them upon arriving because of what he had to do when he got there. The ceremonies would be held together in the city and then caskets would be taken to their respected hometowns for burial. Jay had been from Visiham and Liz resided in Bersdale, all our families knew one another because of the family day during Basic.
Right now, the soldiers were just landing on their first layover in Denmark after a four hour and thirty minute flight from Iraq. Hunter had to oversee the transfer of Jay and Liz's caskets to the next plane, a commercial flight that would take them then rest of the way to Archi Island. The flight time had changed as for some off reason, the person who arranged the flight forgot to factor in time zones and layovers. So instead of leaving Iraq at three in the morning, they left at 5:30 am. With the flight from Iraq to Denmark being four and a half hours plus subtracting an hour due to time difference, they were now landing at 10 am in Denmark and there would be a two-hour layover so they would leave and continue on to Archi Island at noon time.
Hunter decided to wait until it was closer to leaving Denmark before making the phone call to his Dad. Hunter didn't want to risk talking to his mother yet, not with all this going on. Hunter had known Jay and Liz since the start of Basic Training and it hurt a lot to know they were gone now. It might even hurt more than losing RJ and he died in Hunter's arms. When Hunter found Jay, he had been shot in the heart and was already dead. Hunter got Jay over his shoulders and carried him back to the chopper and that was it. Now here they were bringing home Jay and Liz's bodies and it honestly sucked to have to be the group that did it on request.
(11:45 am)
With only fifteen minutes until boarding the commercial flight back to Archi, Hunter decided he had to call home to let his Dad know. Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his phone and powered it on. After a minute, Hunter saw he had a full signal and pulled up his father's mobile number and called it.
(Haddock Household)
Audrey and Shane were over but not the others, they figured it was a lost cause to come anymore because Hunter hadn't called in two months and why would today be any different. However, shock seemed to fall over the quiet room containing five people when Salvatore's phone rang and they all looked to him quickly. Salvatore reached for it on the side table and his eyes widened.
"It's Hunter," Sal whispered then pressed the accept call button and put it on speakerphone. "Hi, son," he greeted after putting a finger to his lips for the others to stay quiet and listen.
"Hi, Dad. Look I don't have a lot of time to talk, so I'm gonna ask that you and anyone else listening in doesn't freak out. For starters, no, I'm not hurt. Secondly, yes I'm still mad at Mom. Lastly, I'll be home in about two hours," Hunter stated as their eyes widened.
"Oh, that's...wonderful to hear, Hunter. We've been so worried about you these past two months," Sal replied calmly, remembering that Hunter asked them not to freak out.
"I'm in Denmark on the layover for another fifteen minutes, and then we're boarding a commercial flight into Archi Island. I should be landing a little before 3 pm." Hunter informed him.
"I'm so happy we'll get to see you. If I can...ask, are you okay? You don't sound happy to be coming home," Salvatore asked.
"It's not...under the best circumstances in which my leave was granted. Also, please understand that once you see me, it will only be for a few short minutes as I have orders to carry out before I can go home with all of you," Hunter told him calmly.
"I understand, Hunter. I can't wait to see you, son. I've missed you so much," Salvatore smiled.
"I've missed you too, Dad. Our gate just got called to board. See you in about two hours; we'll be arriving at Gate 15-A. Love you, bye for now," Hunter replied then he hung up as Sal lowered his phone with a half smile.
"What...did he mean by the circumstances that got his leave granted, Daddy?" Caitlyn asked.
"It means that he was sent home to do something else and then since he would already be here just to take his leave as well. And it would appear that Treyden is following suit. Hunter said he had orders to carry about before he could come home," Salvatore explained as he looked at them then sighed.
"Should I call the others?" Audrey questioned.
"You can but I would try and keep Eddie and Drew from coming as well. I don't think Hunter will be in a mood for them to be there," Salvatore mentioned. Audrey nodded as the went to pulled up a group text to let Renee, Travis, Heather, and Fisher know that Hunter would be home in two hours, also that she and Shane would be going with the Haddock family. The last thing she mentioned was that Hunter seemed down and not to bring Eddie and Drew since they didn't count as Hunter's friends.
(Two Hours Later; Archi Island Airport)
Finally, the flight was over. Hunter and the remaining nine members of Striker One were back home and now had to carry out their orders of performing the dignified transfer for Jay and Liz, this meant carrying their caskets from the cargo hold of the plane over to the funeral cars and then following behind the families of both fallen soldiers to offer comfort to those grieving. Hunter had been informed while in Denmark from Harry that there would be a military vehicle there when they arrived and there would be a few extra soldiers if he needed the help. The plane pulled up to the gate as Hunter tried to prepare himself for this. Thankfully, Harry also stated that they could wear their ACU's since it would be hard for everyone to get their formal wear on.
The flight attendant stepped up and turned on the intercom while visible to all the passengers. "At this time, we would like to ask that the soldiers of Archi Island make their way off the plane and through the gate first. Let's give them a round of applause for their safe return home," Hunter stood up with his bag and then the rest of Striker One did the same. The passengers remaining began to clap and cheer for them. The ten soldiers moved off the plane, shaking hands with the pilots while walking out the door and down the tunnel that connected to the airport. It was a nice feeling to be applauded, but it didn't take away the hurt of what they had to do.
"Will...Jay and Liz's families be at this gate too?" Theo inquired quietly.
"Harry didn't mention. They could be at this gate waiting for our escort down onto the runways, or they might be there already," Hunter replied. Getting to the end of the gate, an airport employee smiled at them and opened the door.
"Welcome home," the male said as Hunter nodded and walked through with his squad towards passenger pick up where they knew their families would be waiting for them. At passenger pick up, the families stood accordingly with welcome home signs and flags, all waiting with anticipation.
"This is quite a turn out for just Treyden and Hunter coming home," Heather mentioned. In the somewhat quietness, clapping could be heard as the Haddock's, and Hunter's friends quickly looked towards the escalator where soldiers began making their way down.
"I see Hunter!" Caitlyn cried out while covering her mouth to try and calm herself. Sure enough, Hunter came down with a backpack on his back and longer black bag hanging from his shoulder.
"Easy, Caitlyn. Remember what your Dad said, let him come to us," Renee stated. While walking by other civilians, the soldiers were offered handshakes and being told 'thank you for your service' and the group of ten would reply with 'thank you for your support' and keep walking to their families. Hunter reached his group as Caitlyn rushed ahead first to hug her older brother. Hunter closed his eyes and hugged her back tightly before placing a kiss on her forehead and continuing to walk towards his father. Caitlyn wiped her eyes and stepped back as Sal quickly hugged Hunter.
"I'm glad you're home safe," Salvatore whispered when Hunter hugged him back. After that was over, Hunter greeted everyone else. Much to his misfortune, Eddie and Drew were there, but shockingly they shook Hunter's hand and told him 'welcome home.' By the end of this, Hunter checked his watch to see that it was already 3:15 pm and time to carry out their duties. This became apparent when the rest of Striker One stood as a group near him and Treyden, their families behind them and confused as to why they couldn't bring home their sons and daughters right away.
At that moment, four more soldiers approached Hunter. "Sergeant Hunter Haddock?" asked one of them and Hunter faced them. "We were sent from Fort Draco to help with the transfer. The families will be here in two minutes. Orders, sir?"
Hunter took a deep breath. "Fury, you're with me. The rest, fall in!" he ordered. Without an argument, Treyden moved next to Hunter silently and the remaining twelve soldiers stood two lines. "As for all of you. I understand that you have not seen your sons, nephews, brothers, daughters, nieces, and sisters in ten months and would very much like to take them home now. However, we were sent back orders to fulfill before we begin our leave time." he added. "You are permitted to watch and expected to remain respectful and silent," after that, Hunter and Treyden moved in front of the twelve other soldiers. "Forward, march,"
"I don't understand what's going on," Audrey stated quietly while watching the soldiers march in sync, the fourteen soldiers began marching in the direction of the main level. Security guards were leading them past the outside doors and to the aircraft that Hunter and the other eleven had deboarded from.
"I do," Sal sighed heavily as they all looked at him. "It's a dignified transfer,"
"What's...that?" Eddie asked.
"It's when a soldier is given the mission of escorting another soldier home for the final time. This setup signifies that Hunter and Striker One were charged with escorting home to fallen soldiers. My guess is that in that cargo hold of the plane lies a casket containing the body of said soldier who has passed away. It's was Hunter's job to make sure that person comes home from war and delivered to their family," Salvatore explained, and then the security guards stopped them at a certain point.
"My apologies, you will have to continue watching from here," the officer said. From their spot, they could all see and hear pretty well. Hunter and Treyden led the twelve soldiers to the plane where there seemed to be a truck with an extended belt on it. After that while looking to their left, they could see the two families of the fallen soldiers. It was heart-wrenching to watch because all the families who just got to hug their children or siblings knew that as long as they were deployed, this was something that they might have to endure next.
First to happen was the soldiers breaking formation to drop their bags on the ground near their mode of next fifteen minutes were spent watching both caskets draped with the Archi Island flag be rolled out of the plane's cargo hold, and then the piece with the belt be lowered flat. Next, they watch Hunter and Treyden move to the families-mainly immediate ones such as mother, father, sister or brother and then led them to the respected casket where their child or sibling lay in eternal rest. Hunter and Treyden both stayed by the families as each member would touch the casket and lower their heads to cry and give a silent goodbye or cry. One mother broke down against Hunter and all he could do hold her while trying to keep a straight face.
Salvatore knew better, he knew this was hurting his son, but God bless him if he stuck to protocol. Finally, Hunter and Treyden pulled the grieving families back while he prepared the twelve soldiers to carry the caskets and then load them into the hearse's and shut the back doors. Hunter and Treyden took the families to the limousines after another hug was shared or handshake.
"Load up," Hunter commanded the group then moved to the families remaining. "We have to go with the families to the service. Two members of Striker One were killed in action. Major Andersen said that one of the families requested that Striker One be the soldiers to be the escorts and perform the transfer. I'll explain more later, for now, I have to go with them. You're...welcome to come, these families see all of Striker One and our families as their family, if that makes sense,"
"Of course, son. We'll be right behind when you round the airport building," Salvatore nodded softly. Hunter closed his eyes and walked to the vehicle, it appeared to be a Humvee with a small truck bed on the back. Then on the sides there were platforms to stand on while holding the available bars so one wouldn't fall off. Six were able to fit inside, then four in the back bed. The final four took a spot on the sides, Hunter being one of them.
(Memorial Service; 4:15 pm)
It was a late arrival but everyone reached the location, parked their vehicles, then found a seat inside after Striker One and the four extras brought the caskets in and set up the pictures, and battle crosses for both fallen members of their group. When everything was set up, it was 4:15 pm and the pastor began things by taking fifteen minutes each to talk about Jay and Liz. Of course, something Hunter hadn't expected was being asked by both distraught families to go up and talk about his friends. Hunter didn't want to but he was supposed to make this easier for the families so if that is what they wanted, then he couldn't say no.
"I've just been informed that one the members for Striker One, the team these two fallen heroes were a part of, will step forward to say a few words," the pastor informed as Hunter got to his feet and moved to stand while looking out to the families and his comrades.
"Hi. I'm Sergeant First Class Hunter Haddock, and I am the commanding officer for Striker One and Two squads. Jay and Elizabeth were on Striker One. In fact, these ten soldiers sitting in the third right row are all on Striker One. I've known these two heroes since the first day of Basic Training, and I can tell you first hand that there was never a dull moment for our platoon," Hunter started as a few from Striker One began to laugh a little.
"I remember just after we finished the first three weeks of training during personal time, Jay was lying on his bed, someone said something and he sat up so fast that he smacked his forehead on the underside of the top bunk. We asked if he was okay, then his battle buddy held up four fingers and wondered how many Jay was able to see, and Jay's reply was that we forgot how to count to five and flipped us off and laughed too," Hunter smiled a bit.
"And then we still had to take him to the infirmary because he got light-headed after telling us he was all right," Zander added in.
"Oh, gee! Sounds like someone else we know who says he's okay when he isn't or doesn't want to worry anyone, don't it, team?" Andrew laughed with Treyden and Theo.
"Zip it you three or it's fifty pushups and situps right now," Hunter glared as they were quiet and the others in the room laughed a little through the tears, well, those that were crying. "As for Liz, the girl was as crazy as they come. I don't think there was ever a time I didn't see a smile on her face or she was sketching. Whatever we did, whether it was training or out on a mission, guard, patrol-she made it fun while still doing our job. Odin knows that our squad will never be the same without them. The platoon won't even be the same, since the deployment we've all gotten closer and have come to understand the bonds that they taught us in Basic,"
"Everything we trained for was done as a team. We trained together, we ate together, we helped one another out if we had a problem, we had each other's backs. I think the only thing we didn't do was sleep or shower in the area. All that taught us how strong the bond of our friendships are and also how much it hurts to lose those friends. Most people think that soldiers are trained to always be serious, that we learn not to feel so it doesn't hurt. It's not true at all. You see my squad here, that they laugh rather than cry because it's how we remember them," Hunter continued.
"Each time we lose a friend, a brother or sister on the battlefield; we'll come together to honor their life by setting up this battle cross that you see before you. Not many understand the cross's purpose or argue that it doesn't look like a cross so I feel like I should explain why we place these four objects together as so when we lose someone. The first to be placed is the rifle with a bayonet; this shows the soldier was killed in the line of duty and went down fighting. The helmet signifies the soldier it once protected. The boots represent that the soldier marched their last battle and the dog tags are to identify the fallen soldier. These items comes together to give tribute to who has passed as us soldiers meet to honor that hero. However, in my platoon after we've lost someone; we stand in the hallway of our barrack in a circle with our arms over one another's shoulders and have a moment of silence to pray and remember," Hunter looked out to everyone who was watching him.
"I know in times like these, the grief of losing your son, daughter, niece, nephew, whoever they may be to those of you assembled here this afternoon is overwhelming. All the questions of why did it have to be them, the thoughts and anger of it being unfair. I understand with all those emotions; it can be hard to find a reason to smile. However, if I can for a moment; I'd like to share with you something that someone once told me to make the pain a little easier," Hunter said as he was motioned to continue, he smiled as his eyes met his father's. "How many of you have ever wondered why our flag moves when there is no wind?"
Most of the room raised their hands as Salvatore only smiled wide. "Our flag does fly because the wind blows it; our flag flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it. Perhaps you think that isn't a form of comfort until you realize that it means those who have passed away in battle defending our home are always around keeping our flag flying proudly to show that we will never give up the fight for peace and freedom," Hunter informed. "Just because they have passed on doesn't mean they are gone. For us soldiers who will return to Iraq; they will be our strength in battle when we can't find ours, they will be our miracle when hope seems lost, they will be our courage when we're afraid. Jay and Elizabeth's bodies have perished, but not their spirits. These two soldiers like many before them will never truly die, they continue to live on in our memories and our hearts,"
Treyden began clapping and after him was the rest of Striker One, then Salvatore, Audrey, and soon everyone was clapping and Hunter oddly enough could see smiles. There were still tears in eyes, but smiles on their faces. Hunter made his way down and moved along the front row on the left and right side where the immediate families of Jay and Liz sat, they all hugged and thanked him for his kind, comforting words. After Hunter returned to his seat, the pastor concluded the ceremony and people began to file outside. Hunter got the information about the funerals and promised that he and Striker One would be there. The four extra soldiers took the humvee-truck back to Fort Draco while others from Striker One were saying goodbye and preparing to leave with their familes.
Hunter finally reached his family with Treyden beside him, and Salvatore hugged Hunter tightly, "I am very proud of you, Hunter. You going up there and for what you said to those families,"
"Well, I learned from the best," Hunter replied to his Dad. "Now if it's not too much trouble, as thrilled as I am to see everyone, I've been up since 5:30 this morning, and I could really use dinner, a shower, and some sleep," he added tiredly.
"I will second that, my friend," Treyden patted Hunter's back.
"I take it Treyden will be staying with us a bit longer?" Sal asked, and Hunter nodded. "That is fine with me. Let's get back home, we'll grab dinner on the way and then you two boys can shower and catch an early night's rest,"
"Will we all get to see you soon babe?" Audrey questioned.
"Absolutely. You can all come over after school tomorrow and hang out," Hunter smiled softly as he hugged Audrey and gave her a small kiss.
"We're off from school this week because there was a gas leak in the kitchen and small explosion. No one got hurt, but they need time to make sure it's safe and make some repairs. We go back next Monday," Fisher informed.
"Even better then. I do have Jay's funeral on Tuesday to attend in Visiham, and then Liz's on Friday in Bersdale, but anything after that I'm free," Hunter stated.
"Let us know when you're up, and we'll come over when it's okay to do so. We're glad you're home, Hunter, we've missed you," Heather smiled.
"I've missed you too," Hunter replied. Without anything more said, everyone, loaded into their vehicles and left the funeral home.
(Berkton)
By 5:30 pm, the Haddocks and Treyden were back at the Haddock household. It was only so late because they stopped to get a quick dinner on the ride home. At this point, Hunter had been up for thirteen hours and was beat tired. After a twenty-minute shower, Hunter was in a pair of sweatpants, socks, and t-shirt relaxing on the couch and waiting for Treyden who took a fifteen minute shower then came out wearing sweats and a tank top. Hunter and Trey bid everyone a goodnight and then they got to Hunter's room, made themselves comfortable. Hunter was on his bed and Treyden sleeping on the futon, the two of them knocked out not more than ten minutes later around 6:30 pm. So ended a very long day.
