Oldest Military Blogger. Memorial Day!

My son called this afternoon and wished me a happy

 memorial day and in the same breath asked why 

I neglected posting stuff on my blog for almost a month. 

I told him that I was conflicted.

"Great!" he said, "Write about your conflict 

and why that is so."

I replied, " I've had many experiences that I

 just couldn't write about."

"For instance?" he questioned."

Well, there was a time where I had a detail

 to guard a train out of the city of Cherbourg with a load 

of cigarettes, to the freight yards of Fontainebleau, 

a famous town, outside of Paris.

The train of 12 cars of the infamous 40 N 8ers that were 

on a narrow gauge track was to leave at the early hours 

of the next morning under great secrecy.

Cigarettes were the foundation of the French monetary system.

Okie, Porter, Lloyd were under my charge to deliver 

this most important cargo to all the impoverished 

Yanks who would use this booty to finance their Wine, Women 

and gambling needs....

Hey, the war was almost over and there were thousands 

of GIs on R and R in Paris without any 

American issued French Francs.

Cigarettes, when available,were in the PX at the 

army price of $1.80 a carton with a 2 carton limit

and could be exchanged in the mainstream civilian population

 for $20.00,  in French currency.

You did not have to be a smoker to buy at the PX 

but you were a fool if you did not make those 

two cartons the highest priority of your agenda.

When we entered the rail yards at our destination, 

during a brief stop, a First Lt. and two enlisted men 

approached me and told me they would take over the train

 and we were relieved.

When I asked him for papers after I saluted him smartly, 

the Lt .became irate. 

Putting his hands on his hips near his holster 

he said,"That's an order Sgt."

I turned to look over my shoulder pointing 

to the top of the caboose where Okie was sitting 

with a 50 Caliber machine gun aiming down at us.

The two enlisted men, turned, and walked away....

the Lt. smiled at me and followed them.

Twenty or so minutes later ,the train went deeper 

into the yard and a full chicken Colonel 

and Major released us from duty,, with the proper papers.

That's my conflict !

Who's going to believe this experience!

This is not a story!

There have been references to my Blog as a few "stories" 

Stories are easily written.....These memories are not easy.

"I may be able to think of some experiences 

that are more believable for my Blog later..

so be patient." I explained to my Son,

before I hung up.

After our conversation, which always ends

with, an, "I love you", I thought about the greeting 

of "Happy Memorial Day, Dad."

This day is to remember those who never made it home....

Those, whose efforts are keenly remembered by

 their immediate Family, Friends and loved ones.

It is a Happy Memorial Day for my Son Phil and I. 

We share this moment with you and to remind us  of 

those that cannot.