Upham walked through the long line of crosses, thinking about his life. As soon as the war had ended, things had started looking up. In 1954 he finally published his book.

Now, sixty-five years after the war, he felt at peace with the world.

He had asked his family not to come with him; he needed to do this alone.

As he walked on, he thought about Reiben. Upham had seen him once, a year after the war ended. He wanted to interview Reiben for his book. Upham spent hours searching for Reiben's phone number. When he finally called, no one answered. Upham continued trying to contact Reiben for about a month. Eventually he decided to take a trip to New York City.

"Upchuck?" Reiben had declared upon opening the door.

"Reiben?"

A smile worked its way across Reiben's face. Upham grinned right back and explained that he was writing a book. Reiben took him right up to his messy apartment where they talked for hours, replaying the whole mission. Some parts would cause them to stare forlornly out the window, trying to hold back tears, while other parts had them howling with laughter.

Upham had finally left, having written page upon page of notes for his book. He gave Reiben his address as walked out the door, promising to send him a copy of the book as soon as it was finished.

"See ya around, Upchuck," Reiben had said as he closed the door, a smile on his face.

Upham hadn't seen him since.

He had tried, over the years, to contact him, but Richard Reiben had all but disappeared to the world after the war. A number of times Upham had found an address for a Richard Reiben in New York, but they changed constantly. Every door was answered by a woman who would sympathetically inform Upham that Reiben no longer lived there.

He took a deep breath as he weaved his way through the graves. All too soon, he was in front of Caparzo's grave.

"Drop dead, Corporal."

"Hey, Caparzo," he spoke quietly. "I-I don't… know what to say." He took a deep breath.

"Sixty-five years. Can you believe it? I know this will be my last trip… I just don't know how to say good-bye. Except I guess it's too late for that, huh?" He paused as the memories overcame him.

"It really does feel like yesterday that I was walking beside you guys," he continued. Upham talked for a while longer, telling Caparzo all about his book.

"I…I know you didn't want me to salute the Captain, but… I hope you don't mind if I salute you," Upham whispered hoarsely, feeling close to tears. He performed the perfect military salute, gulping as he whispered good-bye.

He slowly turned, knowing he would never come back to this grave again.

"Corporal, what's your book about?"

Upham nearly broke down when he got to Wade's cross. Images of his slow death passed before Upham's eyes as he stared down at the white cross.

"Wade… I… hey," Upham said. "I finished my book. I even got a movie deal." Upham told Wade everything, the whole story. He felt that if anyone would listen to his rambling stories, it was Wade. He proudly saluted Wade before traveling on.

It began drizzling lightly as Upham stopped at another white cross.

"Again, Upham… to be honest, I find myself curiously aroused by you."

"…Mellish…" This was the hardest grave for Upham. "I…I'm sorry… I was scared. I tried to be Johnny-on-the-spot, but… I'm sorry. I just couldn't… couldn't… make it up the stairs… FUBAR, right? …You remember my book? Well, I finished it, and I got a movie deal. You're in it, man. You're a hero."

Upham gave the most emotional salute he had ever given. He felt a single salty tear run down his face as he lowered his hand.

Any more songs like this, and the krauts won't have to shoot me. I'm just going to slit my own wrists!"

Upham talked non-stop to Horvath. He just babbled on and on. Not because he had a lot to say, because the fast-talking kept him from crying.

He had never forgiven himself for collapsing on the stairs while Mellish was killed. It haunted him every night. He listened over and over again to the German shouting, to Mellish shouting back. And then the silence. He watched himself over and over again, hiding on the stairs.

And now, because of Upchuck the coward, Mellish was gone.

And he wasn't coming back.

I will be adding one more chapter to the story.