Chapter 5 – Farewell to Leader and Friend
After putting the obituary in the paper, things start happening. Telegrams are coming in, and Facebook© has so many heartfelt comments on Templeton's sight, they almost shut it down. Face has always liked the name of that site. He feels very partial to it. He signs on and starts reading the comments out loud, to B.A. and Murdock. They are all very touched by the outpouring of love that people are expressing concerning Hannibal.
"Hey guys, there is one here from Tawnia. Listen."
"Face, Murdock, and B.A., I know you all are grieving as I am at the loss of Hannibal. Please remember that he was loved by a lot of people and he will be sorely missed by many. I always remember the good times and "fun times?" we had and what Hannibal and you all did for Brian and myself. I will never forget him. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy as you move on without your leader and friend. Tawnia and Brian Leftcourt.
P. S. I'm sorry we can't make the funeral. We're currently in Egypt and can't leave at this time."
"Wow! That was really nice." Murdock remembers a few of those "fun times" also with fondness.
"How'd she hear about it so fast, if they are in Egypt?"
"B.A., you have to remember the internet sends things out rather quickly. I'm sure they saw it there."
"Oh, right."
"Oh, and here is one from Amy, too."
"Guys, I can't believe this tragic news. Please know that I am grieving as you are. I know you will sorely miss him. I really wish I could come out there, but my job here on the evening news won't allow me time off right now. I just got promoted to evening anchor and I can't get away. Again, I am really sorry for your loss. Love, Amy"
They are all grieving in their own way, but it is nice to hear from old friends. In some ways it has lightened their hearts a bit, knowing that others are missing Hannibal, also.
B.A. is coming and going as needed from his place, and sleeping on the couch when he stays too late to make the drive. Kelly has decided to go home, too.
"Honey, you know I'm really just in the way here, and I really do have things to do at home. I promise I'll be back in time for the funeral on Friday. Please don't be upset with me."
"I'm not upset. I'm just really going to miss you. I feel like my support is all leaving me, when I need it most."
"Now, you know that's not true. You have Temp and B.A. to keep you company, and you have things to do here that I can't help with. Please, just enjoy the time with you friends. I'll see you soon, okay?"
"Yeah, okay, but I will miss you and I'll call every day until then. If you need help with things, keep Tommy on til I get home. He can do the hard work for you. I don't want you doing it, got it?"
"Yes, I know. Tommy is doing fine I'm sure and he can use the money, so don't worry about anything. I'll call your list of clients and tell them you'll get back to them when you can. I'm sure they'll understand."
"Right, okay, you better get going. I'll see you soon. Love ya."
"Love you, too. Now be good and don't annoy B.A. so much."
"Ha! Are you kidding me? He loves all the attention."
Kelly pecks him on the cheek and climbs into the car. They keep waving until she pulls out of the parking garage and they can't see each other anymore.
Things seem to be moving in a blur these days, but they all manage to get through it without too much anguish. Face is going to give the eulogy, so he has been working on that, and he hopes that a few others will be willing to get up and say a few words. B.A. of course declines because that is not his forte, and Face is discouraging Murdock because he is afraid it will be very hard on him, and he doesn't want him to have a break down. Murdock has been keeping it together fairly well, but something is nagging at the back of Face's thoughts. Something he can't put his finger on just yet, and he doesn't want it, whatever it is, to materialize at Hannibal's memorial. Murdock says he will not interfere with Face's plans, but that he will say his final farewell away from the public eye.
The day breaks as none other can in L.A. It is bright and beautiful. However, the moods are not so bright. Face and Murdock get up early. They dress in their uniforms, looking very sharp.
"Do you want some coffee or something for breakfast?" Face is trying to be a good host.
"No thanks, I really don't think I want anything on my stomach right now."
This is a first. Even though B.A. is known for eating very heartily, Murdock sometimes rivals him. For as skinny as he is, he manages to put away food pretty handily. Face never did know where he put it, and not only food, but sometimes some very odd items.
They are to meet B.A. at Memorial Service Hall at Riverside National Cemetery, about an hour before the service, so they can go over any last minute details. Face is nervous about the day. He has put his grief on hold, until all this is over. He wants everything to go according to plan for Hannibal's last act. Not that you can orchestrate a memorial service, but he wants it to be what he thinks Hannibal would have wanted it to be, and that is a little different than your ordinary funeral. You gotta do things with style, kid. Always remember that. Yeah Hannibal, but you aren't the one left here to do this, and I don't want it to look hokey, or anything. You are well loved by a lot of people, but you are also hated by the many you humiliated and put behind bars, and it's been just long enough for most of them to be out now. I don't want trouble at your funeral. I want it to be what it should be, the last respect of a man who meant a lot to others and was willing to help the little guy. And why am I having to justify this to someone who is dead. What are you trying to do to me? Really, are you trying to drive me crazy? Ha Ha. That laugh again. I sure hope you quit talking to me like this, once your funeral is over! Don't count on it. I kinda like being in your thoughts like this, it keeps me alive! Yeah, I guess.
As they pull into the parking lot, they see B.A. has beaten them there. His uniform looks a little big on him now, since he has lost some weight, but he still looks imposing. They walk inside without a word and Mr. Waller, the funeral director, meets them in the foyer. He moves like one accustomed to being quiet and seems almost sneaky, but that's probably just the tilt that Hollywood puts on funeral directors and it seems to fit this guy to a "t".
"How are we all doing this morning? I once again want to express my deepest sympathy to all of you over the loss of your friend." (Muttered acceptance from the three of them) "Would you all like to come this way, and I'll take you to the viewing room where you can have some privacy."
"Sure, that will be fine." Face finally speaks up for all of them as they follow the little man back to a secluded alcove with chairs to sit in and the casket, open in front of them. The man bows his way out and leaves the three of them standing there, each in his own thoughts about the man who is lying in front of them. Finally, B.A. speaks.
"The Colonel looks pretty good, considerin'."
Face gives him one of his knowing looks and smiles. "Yeah, considering."
Then Murdock says, "Isn't that what people always say at funerals. "They" never looked so good. Well I think he looks dead and I don't like it. I just want to remember him the way he was. Full of life and smiling his big smile, and laughing, and ordering us around, and…" he finally trails off. "I'm going to wait outside for Kelly." He turns and abruptly leaves.
B.A.'s eyes follow him out. "Wow, he really is falling apart, but I have to admit it, I don't like looking at Hannibal like this either." B.A. follows Murdock out.
Face is left alone and right now that is just how he feels, alone! He always knew if he needed advice, or help, Hannibal was there for him. Since he was raised in an orphanage, he had never known his father, and he kind of looked to Hannibal to fill that void. Now what! Kid, and I say that with affection, because you aren't a kid anymore, I think you can handle things on your own just fine now and I expect you to do just that. Move on! You can always talk to me like this whenever you need to, but I think you are going to be a great leader, now that I'm gone. So go, do it! Keep Murdock out of trouble and out of the V.A., he doesn't belong there. Don't let B.A. get into any fights he can't handle, and keep a watch over all their finances just like always. You'll be fine. Now, go do what you do best. Dance around the people who are coming and talk up a storm. Make me sound good and don't leave a dry eye in the house. I wanna kill em kid, my last act. Now, go!
He could almost smell the cigar smoke. Why hadn't he brought one to put in the coffin? He should have done that one last time, it had been his job, and now he forgot. "I'm not doing a very good job after all, Colonel. Maybe you should replace me with a younger model." He turns and follows his friends outside, to wait for things to start. He never had the faintest idea of the turn out that was about to take place for Hannibal's big send off. My, oh my, did the people come.
The cars are lined up clear down Van Buren Blvd. to the Riverside Freeway and all the way back the other way to the 215 Freeway. No one, except maybe Murdock, had foreseen this kind of turnout. People, not in the know, figure it must be some big Hollywood film star who has died, or maybe a big, wig general who is being buried today. This is just the attention Hannibal liked to have and he is the star, for a few brief hours. Aw, fame is fleeting and then we all go to the big show in the sky! Good-bye to all my friends and fans. I know you will all miss me in the days to come. A true prophecy, as they would really miss his "Plan", in just a few short hours from now, but that is not in their thoughts at the moment.
As they walk into the service, the team, along with Kelly, move to sit on the front row. To the left side of the coffin is a larger than life picture of Hannibal in his uniform. To the right is a picture of him in civilian life, cigar in mouth and hand on hip, looking as boisterous as always. Since the guys are the first ones in, and they are so lost in their own thoughts, they don't see the multitude of people coming in behind them. The funeral director has to bring in more chairs and then it is standing room only. Kelly turns around at one point and she can't believe her eyes. She hates to bother him, but she nudges H.M. and looks back. He does the same and almost loses it right then and there. Face, who is sitting between Murdock and B.A., notices his friends discomfort and turns to follow his gaze.
"Oh my goodness!" Face is totally astounded.
This remark causes B.A. to also look. He almost jumps out of his seat, but manages to stay put. The first person he sees when he turns around is Decker. He is standing in the back by the door. Colonel Decker is one of the people who used to chase the team when they were on the run back in the eighties. This is before they earned their pardon, but none of them has seen him for many, many years. It took B.A. by surprise so much, that he almost got up to leave. Instead he glares back at Decker, then turns around to totally ignore him.
Once the last person crowds into the room, former Lieutenant Templeton Peck gets up to speak. He starts out quietly, one of the only times in his life that he is at a loss for words. He had prepared a eulogy, but upon seeing all of the people out in front of him, he almost can't speak at all.
"We are here today, uh hem, to say farewell to a great friend and leader. Most of you knew him because he and his team, (he indicates the guys) helped you out in one way or another. We his team, knew him as a friend who was willing to do whatever it took to bring us all back alive. Whether it was from Viet Nam, Borneo, Mexico, or just from Bad Rock, or Las Vegas, he always made sure to keep us safe and together. He never left a team member behind, and he never said quit until the job was done. Most of you only saw the working side of John Hannibal Smith, but we saw the personal side. He was a friend that would do anything to help you out, whether you were a raw lieutenant, a sergeant, or a captain, who was a little crazy. He never talked down to his friends and he never backed down to a, pardon the expression, slimeball that was trying to hurt someone. I think this is the reason that we are all here today and we the remaining members of the A-Team want to thank you all for coming. If anyone would like to say a few words, please step forward."
People on all sides of the room stand up and form a line along the wall leading up to the dais. They tell of all the things that Hannibal had done for them and why they would be forever in his debt. Even Decker finally makes his way to the front to speak.
"Colonel Hannibal Smith was a man who knew how to get things done. He had very unusual methods, some would say insane methods, but he managed to get the job done at any cost. Sometimes they would stretch the limit of legal and sometimes they were downright illegal, but he always accomplished his goal. That was the reason I never managed to catch him before his pardon. He was the best and I salute a worthy foe." At that, Decker turns around and smartly salutes the Colonel, then quickly leaves the stage.
Face is flabbergasted, B.A. is even following his departure with awe, and Murdock is just looking down. His thoughts seem to be inward, but it is because he is listening. I am just as surprised as you are Captain. I didn't know he had it in him to say something nice about me. Quite a turnout though, don't you think?
The service lasts much longer than anyone has anticipated because so many people get up to "say a few words". Most of them have tears in their eyes and some choke up, but they all have nice things to say. The team members are barely holding it together themselves while listening to all this adoration aimed at their leader and themselves. It is almost too much to bear, but they do get through it. The people file past them and say quiet words of condolence. Others shake each member's hand, and still others just touch them on the arm as they pass as a small token of understanding. One very pretty woman walks up and introduces herself as Sara Wilson.
"I know that you don't know me, but I was the person in the bank that John Smith protected. He died saving my life, and I just felt like I had to come and tell you this. I owe him my life and I can never repay that, so the least I could do was to come here today and let you know. I am so very sorry for your loss. I can tell by the outpouring of love here today, that he was a wonderful friend and person, and I just needed to tell you how I felt."
She shakes every team member's hand and moves on. They stand a little taller after this, because she is walking proof of the Colonel's heroism.
They look stoic and handsome in their uniforms, as they bravely act as pall bearers along with three members of the Los Angeles Police Department. Because even though they were wanted for several years by the military police, the L.A.P.D. has very fond memories of all the bad guys that Hannibal led the team to capture. They take the casket to the waiting hearse, and climb into the trailing limousine to drive to the final resting place of Hannibal Smith. It seems that everyone is following them to the graveside military burial that follows the memorial service.
There was a slight problem, when three car loads of former crooks that Hannibal and the team were responsible for putting in jail, show up. They were quickly and quietly detained before they could even utter a sound of protest, thanks to the volunteer presence of some military police. The M.P.s came forward and offered their services for crowd control and to be on watch for just this circumstance. The guys didn't even know anything had occurred because they were so effective at their job.
The graveside service is short. A military Chaplin offers words of rejoicing because Heaven is receiving a new member. There is an Honor Guard from Camp Pendleton who fire the accustomed twenty-one gun salute. Unknown to Face and B.A., Murdock enlisted a group of pilots who are at March Air Force Base for an air show, to do a fly over. They fly vintage planes, but they are still able to do the Missing Man Formation. Face guesses that pilots are pilots no matter what their branch of service and Murdock has a very good record as a pilot from Nam. His exploits are still talked about in some areas. Plus his cargo service keeps him in touch with a lot of other guys who love to fly as much as he does. Murdock was torn over whether to be here on the ground or up there with the other pilots. He decided that being here closer to the service, was the best choice. He timed their entrance just right, with a text message sent out unobtrusively at just the right time.
"That's for you, Colonel." He salutes the group as they fly over.
Next, the three step forward where B.A. and Face remove the flag from the coffin and retire it appropriately with the triangle fold. B.A. finishes the fold and hands it to Face. He in turn walks around and hands it to Murdock. Murdock takes the flag and presents it to Kelly. Since Hannibal has no living relatives, Murdock and Kelly have agreed to take the flag, at B.A.'s and Face's insistence, to fly on their flagpole in their front yard to honor Hannibal in its flying. After a few last words, the people begin to file past the coffin to say their last good-byes, or lay a rose on the coffin. By the time they are all gone, the casket is covered and flowers are falling off onto the ground, there are so many of them. The remaining A-Team members say their silent farewells. Face and B.A. make ready to leave, but notice that Murdock is not ready to go just yet. He moves to the coffin, places his hand on it and quietly says his final farewell. He then bows his head, walks over to the other two, where they turn as one, and march back down the slope to the waiting limo.