I suppose you guys are probably wondering how Matt and Henry were trained from the age of 5 years old in the art of shooting weaponry. Well here's a chapter dedicated to that. 2nd Chapter of Brother's Re-Unite

An Important Tradition

29th January 2005

Manhattan, New York City

It had been a day since Henry had arrived back in New York City, after his retirement from the United States Marine Corps. Matt had gotten up and was cooking breakfast involving a large set of blueberry pancakes for both him and his brother.

Henry was waking up as he smelt the cooking as he said, "What's all this?" "Thought I'd cook breakfast to celebrate you comin' on home." "Little brother, I am glad you decided to do this, and thank you for the nice breakfast." "No problem."

Matt had handed Henry his plate of pancakes as he said, "You know it's been a while since we have done shooting together, I think it was right before you shipped off, we had done it."

Henry looked up and thought about it as he said, "I'd say you're right, tell you what, after breakfast, we'll go up to Yonkers to see who's gotten better since we last went."

Matt chuckled as he said, "What shall the wager be for this contest?" "Loser hands over 30 bucks to the winner." "How about, the loser buys the winner dinner at a restaurant of their choice?"

Henry chuckled at his younger brother's enthusiasm to make this shooting contest into a game of a bet. He then took a bite out of the blueberry pancakes and said, "I accept the wager, I'll call up Mark and let him know." "Sure thing." Matt laughed.

Henry smiled thinking about this journey to go off shooting, ever since he was five years old, Henry had loved going shooting with the men in the O'Mara family.

He still remembered his 5th Birthday.

Henry Flashback Scene

June 6th 1980

8038 Harbor View Terrace

Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City

It was a clear sunshine morning in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. This suburban neighbourhood was home to many Irish and Italian families. It was the ideal street to raise a family.

For Henry O'Mara, it was his 5th Birthday, he was living with his mother Sara, his grandfather Matthew and grandmother Serafina and his aunt Maria & Uncle Henry.

In his bedroom, there were many posters, one had the United States Marine Corps on the wall above his bed. Henry had made a promise that he'd become a United States Marine like his uncle and his grandfather's brother and uncle who were all Marines before him. Henry O'Mara Sr, was the last Marine in the family, Henry had fought in Vietnam for 6 years as a Marine. Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in the Tet Offensive, Henry Sr was the main reason Henry wanted to join the Marines, Henry Jr's first word was 'Marine' and from then on Henry was eager to become a Marine.

The family even backed him to follow that dream with pride.

Soon he woke up as he raced into his mother's room as he said, "Wake up, Momma, wake up."

Sara had seen her son and scooped him into a hug as he said, "It's my birthday, Momma." "Are you sure, honey? I mean it might be somebody else's birthday."

Henry looked at his mother until she smiled saying, "Happy birthday, my baby boy." "Thanks Momma, should we wake up Uncle Hank and Aunt Marie?"

Sara laughed as she said, I'll wake 'em, baby, you head downstairs, I think Grandma Serafina might make you a delicious breakfast." Henry put his arms in the air as he said, "I'm coming, Grandma."

Sara smiled as she watched her little boy race down to the kitchen to see his grandmother. She then took a look at the picture of her husband who was currently in the Army still. He had begun his 13th year of proud military service to the United States of America rising to the rank of 1st Sergeant in the Army.

After the Vietnam War, Paul O'Mara had served in various divisions, even becoming a special forces operator from 1977-1980.

Saying softly, "I wish you're home, Paul, your little boy is turnin' 5 years old."

Downstairs in the kitchen, Henry had walked in as Serafina smiled and said, "Happy birthday, my grand-baby." "Thanks Nonna." "For you, my baby, I have cooked bacon, eggs, toast and pancakes." "Yay!"

Serafina smiled as her twin son Henry walked down the stairs as he said, "I hear a child's birthday today." "Yeah, Uncle Hank, it's my birthday." "And so it is, my young nephew, happy birthday, kiddo."

Maria had then hugged her nephew and said, "Happy birthday little buddy, you excited about your day today?" "Yeah."

Matthew came up and said, "It's the big day today, Henry takes his first big step into Manhood, a path many O'Mara's have followed, a day of pride for us all."

Henry Sr smiled as he said, "It's been a proud tradition since you were a little smaller than you were little buddy." "What tradition is that?"

Soon a familiar voice had spoken, "We can't tell you that, it's a surprise, Jr."

Henry looked to see his Dad in his Army uniform, return after 5 years since he had been born as he said, "DADDY!"

Henry raced to his father who had picked him up and hugged as he said, "Happy birthday, buddy, you're gettin' taller." "Soon, I'll be at your height." "Give it another 12 years and we'll see." "Yes, Sarge."

Paul smiled as he kissed his wife Sara after 7 years of marriage, as she said, "I missed you, darlin'." "I missed you, Baby."

Henry Sr had walked over to his older twin brother as he said, "You look good, 1st Sergeant." "You too, Master Guns."

Paul laughed as he hugged his twin younger brother as he said, "It's good to be back." "Yeah it is, you still remember, Maria, right?"

Maria walked and hugged her brother-in-law as he said, "Hey Maria, still lookin' beautiful." "Well I married your twin brother, surprisingly he hasn't worn me out." "And I didn't need to hear that." Paul said.

Paul then hugged his mother and father as they welcomed him back in an embrace happily. Matt had been especially proud of his 2 sons, they've served this country proudly and like himself, his brothers, his father and uncle as well.

Serafina was proud of both children, she had missed her oldest twin son Paul since he announced he was returning to the Army. Even though he still made a reappearance for birthdays, anniversaries, and Christmases, she was happy to have both her children in the same home again.

Soon everyone tucked into breakfast that had been cooked by Serafina as Matt had asked Paul, "So kiddo, what you goin' to be doin' now you're back home stateside?" "Well Dad, I've made the decision to go into the Academy. It's about time I follow the tradition that has been set for us, of course."

Henry Sr and Jr smiled happily as Henry Jr said, "Daddy, when I grow up, I wanna be a Marine like Uncle Henry and be a cop." "You've been spending too much time with your uncle." Paul said.

Everyone laughed at the truth of the statement as Henry said, "When do we go to do the tradition?" "Well, why don't you go hop in the bathtub and we'll go as soon as you're washed?" "OKAY!"

Henry raced off to the bathroom as Sara said, "Wait for me, little monster!"

Serafina smiled as she said, "That boy is like you and Henry put together." "We weren't that bad, not our fault the girls were swooning over us." "No, they were swooning over you two in uniforms, and he'll be the same in a Marine uniform."

Everyone laughed as Matt said, "We can deem him to be responsible right?" "All the O'Mara's are responsible." "Have you heard from Joe and Frank?" Serafina asked.

Matt nodded as he said, "Yeah, Joe will meet us there."

Paul then said, "Surprised that Frank allowed Mark to come along." "Well it was his birthday a week earlier, and they're pretty close, so why not do it the same time as everyone else?" "True."

Henry Jr came down the stairs all clean and washed. He wore a blue shirt, trousers and a pair of boots as he said, "I'm already to go." "Atta-boy, kiddo." Paul said.

Sara then said, "Now Henry, this is a very serious event for your Dad, your uncle and your grandpa. You have to listen to them, give your ultimate attention to them. You understand?" Sara asked.

Henry nodded as he said, "Yes Mom, I will give my full attention to them and I will listen to what they tell me to do. This is a serious event that they have planned." "Good boy, kiddo."

Henry Sr walked in and said, "Car's loaded up, we getting on the move?" "Yeah, come on boys." Matt said.

Paul and Matt sat in the front as both Jr and Senior sat in the backseat, soon Henry Jr asked, "Where are we going, exactly?" "Up to Yonkers for the day, don't worry, it's just going to be a little bit of fun for us all." Matt said smiling.

An hour and 5 minutes of driving from Harbor View Terrace to Yonkers, outside of New York City, they had arrived outside a private field, it was all quiet, it hadn't been used for a while as Matt had gotten out and took his grandson with him as Henry said, "Grandpa, why are we here?" "Well, my young grandson, as part of the O'Mara family tradition, a young O'Mara boy turns 5 and is deemed a man, and tradition states that every O'Mara boy is trained to hold a weapon."

Henry looked around and said, "And why are we here?" "Well, this field here, the O'Mara's have used this to prepare themselves for their life and it's a man's duty to protect his family and friends." "Wow, who's joinin' us?" "Well, Mark is joining us, along with his Grandpa and Uncle." "Cool." "And here they are now."

Both the Cross and O'Mara families get reacquainted, Paul shook the hands of Chief Joe Cross, Joe had served alongside Matt O'Mara in the 2nd Ranger Battalion on D-Day and in several other areas of engagement. The boys stood watching their grandfathers fire off shots from their respective sidearms and watched Henry's father and Uncle fire off some shots as they were ushered forward as Henry Sr said, "Alright, boys, pick up the 38. Fitz on the table, remember to watch your fire don't spray rounds off."

Both boys nodded as Joe said, "Remember, don't jerk the trigger, always take a breath and listen to your heartbeat, and fire, gentle on the trigger though, don't pull just squeeze."

Henry pulled back the hammer as he breathed saying, "Squeeze, don't pull." Henry fired off his first shot that hit a glass bottle as Paul looked shocked saying, "Woah! Buddy that was a good shot! Alright, see if you can hit another one." Henry aimed down the sight pulling the hammer back and fired hitting the bottle at the longneck as Matt said, "Nice shot. I think we got a sharpshooter on our hands." "He'll be a scout sniper by the time he enters active duty." Henry said laughing.

Soon the pair fired off shots as Joe said, "Make that a pair of scout snipers. They're really good."

Henry and Mark smiled at each other as they moved onto the heavy stuff which had kicked back a lot harder, but thankfully, both boys had somebody behind them to stop the rifles from knocking them down.

Henry smiled by the end of the day as did the rest of the family, Henry had enjoyed his birthday enjoying his Grandma Serafina's Osso Buco, by the end, Little Henry headed up to bed as he said his nightly prayer beginning it.

"Hi, it's me, just come to pray

And thank you for a fun-filled day!

You've been with me, so I know you've seen

All the great exciting things.

But also when I'm sad or cross

I know you love me, no matter what!

So help me rest and go to sleep

And feel the peace of your love for me.

Also God, I'd like to make a request:

This request, I know it might not work but,

I'd like a baby brother, someone to hang around with

Someone to teach all about what our family does.

Amen."

Henry got into bed and fell asleep as he saw his parents who said, "Night buddy, and happy birthday." "I had the best one Mama and Daddy."

"That's good, sweetheart." Sara said.

Henry fell asleep clutching a maroon green blanket as Sara said, "A little brother he wants?" "I suppose, he wants someone to play ball with and teach what our family does." "What you got floating in that head of yours, handsome?" Sara said flirtatiously.

Paul then kissed her as the pair headed for the bedroom.

End Henry Flashback Scene

Present Day

Yonkers, New York

Matt was steadying the aim on his M1A1 Carbine as he lined up the shot, he aimed and fired shooting the glass bottle down as Mark said, "Kid, you're startin' to embarrass us Marines."

Matt laughs saying, "Want to restore that honor of the fightin' Marines before Ray hears about this?!"

Mark steps up to take the weapon as he fires off several shots hitting 5 beer cans in a row as he says, "How's that for size?" "You got lucky."

Henry then said, "You don't hit where the bastard is… you hit where he's goin' to be, throw me a target, I'm 'bout to educate you, lil' brother." "Okay, John Wayne."

Henry brings up his service revolver as Matt throws up a beer can, Henry takes his time and fires of a shot that bounces of the can, a few shots are fired off as Henry says, "You loaded?"

Matt nods as he says, "Yeah." "Remember, don't shoot where it is, you hit where he gonna be." Henry said.

Matt nodded thinking back to his 5th Birthday party in 1992. Right before his brother finished Junior year of High School.

Matt Flashback Scene

May 8th 1992

Yonkers, New York

Matt's 5th Birthday was taking place, Henry was going to enter the Marine Corps Reserves in a couple weeks, it would be a proud moment in his life, Matt knew his brother had waited long for this moment and he was proud to know his brother would fight for everyone's freedom.

Matt was holding his father's Army .45 pistol as he remembered the old O'Mara phrase to fire a gun, "Gentle on the trigger. Don't pull. Just squeeze." Matt fired a shot and hit the old beer can as Henry said, "Nice, kid. You got the soldier's touch." "Hoo-ah."

Paul and Henry Sr laughed as Matt Sr said, "Sounds like an Army man is comin'. Ain't that right, Paul?"

Paul laughed as he said, "Kid's got the gene." Soon they heard another shot as Paul said, "What was that he shot at?"

Paul walked over as he spotted a dead rattlesnake as he said, "Shot a rattlesnake."

Henry walked over and said, "I'll be… I never saw it."

Matt Jr walked over as he said, "Breathin', it was breathing." "Breathing target, it was a helluva shot." "Don't shoot where it is. Shoot where's its goin' be."

The elder O'Mara men patted him on the shoulder as Matt Sr said, "He's goin' to be a sniper when he hits basic training." "Maybe." Henry Sr said.

The men continued their day of tradition for the youngest O'Mara as they fired off assault rifles, sniper rifles and sidearms.

Before meeting back at the new house in Manhattan, New York as they had lived there since 1989 when they saw Mark and his little sister Hannah were arriving.

Matt took one look at the little blonde-haired girl, seeing her dark blue eyes that sent a twinkle through them, he thought he lost breathing, his heart raced 2-3 miles seeing the pretty blonde-haired girl.

Matt gulped as he said, "Hi." "Hi, you're Matt, right?" "Matthew O'Mara, but call me Matt." "Hannah, Hannah Cross."

Matt smiled at the little blonde-haired girl who wore a blue dress as he said, "What's your favourite colour?" "Blue." "Same too."

Henry and Mark chuckled as Henry said, "20 bucks he turns up at your door in a cop uniform for Christmas." "Wager on."

The pair walked in the house where everyone was waiting as they all ate Grandma Serafina's Osso Buco, it was there Matt said, "Hannah, you want to be my best friend?" "Okay."

Paul smiled and said to Matt Sr, "Pop, I think I see somethin' between them." "Glad I ain't the only one."

The family all shared laughter and celebrated young Matt's birthday happily.

End Flashback

They shot more bullets at the beer cans as Matt said, "Okay, who won this one?" "I think it may have been Mark." Henry said.

Mark then said, "Matt obviously bested us."

Matt said, "I think we all owe ourselves dinner and its on me."

Henry laughed as he said, "Okay, I can live with that. Dinner's on Matt for this evening."

Mark laughed saying, "Dinner on Matt O'Mara, count me on in. Hey, shouldn't we take care of Hans?"

Matt's eyes darkened as he said, "Ray's goin' to pick him up, let's go catch up." "Hell yeah." The elder men said.

All three got back in the car carrying the weapons as Matt drove them back to Manhattan. They then drove straight underneath the Manhattan Bridge as Ray met them as he said, 'Bout time, I was starting to wonder when you guys were goin' to get here." "Anyone followin' ya?" "Na." "Pull him out." Matt said.

Ray opened the trunk pulling out a dishevelled Hans Mueller who started to smell like a fish as his mouth was taped, Matt removed it as he asked, "You know why you're here, right?"

Hans nodded as he said, "I'm sorry for what happened." "Still don't make up for what you did to Tia, so you don't ever haunt her or make her jump out at any shadow." Mark snarled.

Ray pulled out a pair of cinderblocks as he said, "Let's get this over with." "Got the chain?" Henry asked.

Ray nodded holding it in his hand.

Henry took the chain and wrapped round Han's neck as well as taping his mouth back together so he couldn't scream. The group had parked in the middle of the bridge and wore gloves, the sun was just about ready to set and it was only 5:30.

Matt and Mark pulled the cinderblocks on the side of the bridge as Ray held onto Hans who was squirming as Matt said, "Everyone ready?"

All of them nodded as Hans tried pleading as Matt leant into Hans and said, "You'll never see the light of day. Ever." Matt said threateningly.

Matt nodded to Henry as they kicked the blocks off the bridge as they took Hans with them. A large splash sounded as Matt looked out at the sunset as he said, "Alright, let's just drive out of here nice and calm. Like nothing happened."

Henry then said, "Still owe us dinner, Matt?" "Of course."

The three got into the car and they had driven off to the nearest restaurant, thinking about what they did and why they did it. To protect their family, to do what was absolutely necessary.

Hope this provided a little explanation behind one of the most sacred traditions of the O'Mara Family. Please let me know in the comments what you'd like to see next, I did have an idea on what one to do next.

Apologies for the getting rid of Hans Mueller, but I felt there needed to be an end to this character. I hope this hasn't destroyed your liking for the story.

Please like and review this story, thank you ever so much.