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Staff Sgt. “Buffalo”
Bill Wheeler slung his army duffel over his shoulder, every inch a dignified soldier. Passing the baggage claim carousel, he
stepped outdoors onto the cold cement
where buses and taxis created clouds of diesel and roars of engines.
Sounds
grabbed, yanking him back.
Frenzied screams tore through the
smoke. “MEDIC! Medic...Corpsman, over here!” Bill trudged
through blood and blue shadows,
searching for the sources of the screams.
Looping around slopes
and brush, he found his wounded comrades.
Gazing into the wounds, Bill realized most were almost dead. Hang
on, Private! That’s an order, son!
Artillery
explosions threw debris and billowing smoke filled the sky, sheltering them under the midnight sun.
“Hey! Staff
Sgt! Over here! Corpsman!...”
A familiar
voice pulled him back to the cold cement.
“Hey, there! Buffalo, you old man.” He hugged Staff Sgt. Bill. “Why, you got yourself a new leg, dude! Shiny thing, too. And…” he looked at Buffalo’s face. “Those scars make you look better. Ladies like the scars, man…”
They walked
on, Bill wondering if he would ever feel harmonious
and safe with this new life.
These italicized and underlined words, sentence phrases are provided by Delores from Under the Porch Light. Each Wednesday, Delores provides six daunting words for any who wishes to participate in this writing challenge. Please visit her site by clicking on the shivering cardinals in the sidebar; you will find other writers who have taken different slants on these words! You should be intrigued...
Another great take on the words.
ReplyDeleteSome ideas are stronger than others.
DeleteThe thoughts of so many as they return
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to truly imagine.
DeleteI was looking for this yesterday. And am very, very glad to read it today. A misunderstood and frightening reality for far too many.
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan.
We saw "American Sniper" last week. The reality of war and its affect on the soldiers can not be diminished.
ReplyDeleteWell done. As you say, it's truly hard to imagine what soldiers go through, either over there or back over here.
ReplyDeleteEvery war has its hell.
DeleteThat was a vivid passage. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Thanks, Arlee. Being part of the Vietnam era, we saw the war on TV.
DeleteExcellent.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading this selection of WedWords.
DeleteThis one hit home just a little bit. My husband was in Desert Storm and it took awhile for him to get on the alert when he heard a backfire or random firework popping.
ReplyDeleteGod bless your husband. I wonder if wars ever leave the memories behind.
Delete