Chapter 38

We went into the kitchen where Myrna and Kat served us finger food. To me these were snacks, but that's what they called them. We finished eating and I asked Sally if she would help Kat pin the medals on my uniform after she finished dressing. All I got was a smile as she barreled out of the kitchen. I could hear her pounding up the steps and wondered why she was in such a rush. I looked at Myrna and she was frowning, so I decided not to say anything. I excused myself and with Kat trailing me, headed for our room to get out the stuff I needed. I was still digging in the closet when Kat came out of the bathroom dressed and ready to go. The sight of her took my breath away.

"Hon, don't the people in this country wear veils and stuff like that to a funeral? When I went to my grandfather's funeral, all the women had their faces covered and were wearing black."

Before she could answer me, Sally came in dressed almost identical to Kat. That's when Kat told her what I said, and they both started laughing. I just gave them a disgusted look and stuck my head back in the closet, digging the rest of the medal boxes out of the corner where I had stacked them years ago. I had them all stacked up in my arms as I carried them to the bed and dropped them next to where Kat was sitting. Her laughter abruptly cut off when she saw all the flat boxes I had dropped next to her.

"My God, Jon, how many medals do you have?"

"I think, except for a couple, these are all of them. The three most important ones I keep in my dresser drawer. Most of these are battle and unit presentations that they hand out like cookies. They look good on your record, but don't really mean anything. The three that I have in my dresser are very special to me, because of their history and how I earned them."

I went to the dresser and got in the top drawer. I took the three boxes out and handed them to her. She opened the first one and she and Sally both wanted to know what it was and how I had earned it. While I was digging out my uniform, I explained it to them, and then had to explain the other two as well. By the time I was through talking, I had my uniform hung up on the closet door. I went back to digging in the closet again for my Legion Manual so I could give myself a quick refresher course on where the medals were supposed to be pinned, and in what rotation. I knew the three they were holding went on the left side along with the Chuteur Ops Para Badge. The others were mostly personal and unit citations I earned along with the men I had lost in Algiers that night. We spent the next hour getting them all straight, and then the girls went out in the hall while I dressed. I did fine until it came time to put my sash on. I kept fumbling with it 'cause for the life of me, I couldn't remember if it went right to left or left to right. Finally I found the directions in the manual, and found I had it right the first time. It had just been too long, even though I had worn it for real in the service of France, for all those years. I called the girls back in, and they fussed over me like I was some kind of hero or something. I was embarrassed to the point that I was just about to take the whole thing off, when Carver showed up and pulled their attention off of me. While they were making a big fuss over him and asking him about all the medals he had pinned to his uniform, I snuck out and went down to the kitchen to have a cup of coffee. When I walked in, Myrna just stared at me in shock.

"Oh goodness, Jon, I have seen some of the pictures of the Legionaries, but to see one in person is quite a thrill. You look so handsome and your uniform is set off by the sash around your waist. Would you mind later if I get some pictures of you and Carver together? I am sure your daughter, as well as Kat, will want them for your children when you get married."

"Myrna, if this wasn't necessary, I would be wearing a suit. You're almost as bad as Sally and Kat. They way they acted, you would think I was a hero or something. I was able to sneak out of my bedroom when Carver showed up and took their attention off me. Hell, he has a lot more medals and decorations than I do. They will keep busy with him long enough for me to get my nerves back under control."

She looked at me in shock for a minute, and then started laughing. Now me, I didn't think all the fuss was warranted and didn't like it, but her next words made me realize I had better change my attitude before I hurt someone's feelings.

"I am sorry for laughing, Jon, but you need to remember that Kat lost her husband and he wore a uniform like you do. To her, the uniform is very special, as well as the person in it. The way that woman loves you, I think you better just go along with her and let her make a fuss over you. I know that today, with the Military Funeral, is going to bring back a lot of sad memories to her. Remember that when she starts to fuss over you and Carver. She is going to be reliving her husband's death and burial all over again. You just show her the love you feel for her, and it will help more than you realize."

"Oh God, Myrna, I had forgotten all about that. Now I feel like a total ass. I promise you I will hold on to her tight and be there if she needs me. She never mentioned it to me, and I, being a big dummy, never thought to talk with her about her feelings about going with us."

"Calm down, Jon, she and I talked it over and she said she wouldn't miss it. To her, showing her strength by going with you means a lot. You're her man now, Jon, and even though she might cry, she will be by your side. Jon, Kat is a lot stronger than you think. Under all that beauty, she has a will of iron and a very sharp mind to go with it. She knows what she is facing, but to her, it's part of her new life with you. Don't you dare say something stupid about the military customs at the funeral. I know they are completely different from yours, but just keep your comments to your self today."

"Myrna, now you're out of line! No funeral, military or otherwise, is a place for snide comments. It makes no difference what service you're in, a fallen comrade is just that. He or she can be a total stranger, but you still show respect and miss the ones you personally knew. No, Myrna, I would be the first to lose my temper at a soldier's funeral if someone made fun of the customs in any way. Don't ever say something like that in front of me again!"

"I am sorry, Jon, I didn't mean it like it sounded."

She came over and hugged me saying she was sorry into my ear again. She was pouring another cup of coffee for me when the other three came in. Sally was laughing, but Kat just had a strange look on her face as she came over and sat down next to me. Carver sat down and I finally got a chance to look at his medals. He had so many it looked like his chest was a billboard, with all the different colors and ribbons. Except for a couple, the Legion always wore the presentation medals with the ribbon and medal attached. Carver had miniatures set in small ribbons across his chest. I had to admit, it looked a lot less gaudy than what I was wearing, and a lot neater too. The only two I wore that really meant anything to me, were my paratrooper medal and one I wore on the ribbon around my neck. It had been presented to me by the President of France and the Legion Commanding General in a Special Ceremony when I returned from Algiers. I was going to put it on Bill's coffin today to show a token of respect for a man that I admired very much. Although my grandfather had been buried with Military Honors, he had written it into his will that his uniform was to be kept for his first grandchild who went into the military. I had it hanging in my closet and tried not to look at it. I know that sounds a little harsh, but I really never knew him that well. I was going to give mine and his to Sally, now that she was my daughter. I knew that if I ever had any children of my own, she would show them to him or her, and brag about me and my grandfather, like any big sister would. Hell, she knew more about my grandfather than I did, and had spent a lot more time with him after she had come to live here. Those two had been best buddies, and I figured he would be proud for her to have it. Myrna already said she was going to take my grandfather's flag and his medals to Bill's house and hang them together. I didn't have any objections, because she had been with the both of them all her life. I figured it was her place to decide something like that. I knew they meant more to her than to me.

My thoughts were interrupted by the door bell ringing. Sally ran to open it and found Tiny and Jimmy. Tiny and Sally had already started the usual picking at each other by the time they came into the kitchen. I was a bit a surprised at Jimmy's appearance though. He had a new suit on, and if it wasn't for the thick glasses he wore, he would look like a professional body guard. I knew he was muscular, but hadn't realized he was so wide and big. Tiny was taller and built the same, but Jimmy was the one who stood out. When they sat down across from us, Tiny's head looked like it was on a swivel. He kept looking at Carvers chest, then mine, and shaking his head.

"Holy cow! You two look like poster boys for heroes anonymous. Boy, when those soldiers at the cemetery get a glimpse of you two, it's going to start a riot."

"Tiny, not another word, you hear? They wouldn't have their uniforms on, if not for Bill asking them to do it."

Tiny immediately shut up, but Jimmy was looking at both of us like we were some new specimen of man. I think the only thing that kept him from giving both of us the third degree, was that fact that Myrna was standing directly behind him. I will give him credit for keeping his mouth shut until Myrna said it was time to go. We all got up and headed for the front door. When we got to the limo, I remembered the disks and keys. I went back and got them, stuffing them into my sash. I set the alarm and locked up as I went back out to the limo and got in. The security guard opened the gate and we went through, headed for the funeral home. The ride was about twenty minutes, and I don't think a word was spoken the whole way. Kat was holding my hand and Sally was holding hers as we drove.

When we got into town, Tiny said the funeral home was around the next corner and he would pull the limo up in front to let us out. Myrna thanked him, and as we came around the corner and I got a clear view of the crowd, I sat straight up in shock. Kat must have felt me go stiff, because she looked at me in alarm. Then she looked in the direction I was looking.

"What's wrong, Jon? Are you ok? What are you looking at?"

I couldn't answer around the lump in my throat, so I just pointed. She looked in the direction I was pointing and said; "Who are they Jon? They are dressed just like you are."

I swallowed a couple of times before I could answer.

"It's a squad of Legionaries, but I have no idea why they are here, Kat. This is very unusual, to say the least."

When we pulled up in front, Jimmy hopped out and opened both back doors to let us out. I helped Kat and Sally out, while Carver helped Myrna. When we were all standing together on the sidewalk, one of the men separated from the squad and headed my way. I recognized him immediately and almost ran to greet him.

"Maurice, my friend, why are you here and with a squad of your men?"

"Ahh Jon, you did not think we would let the Wolf of Algiers attend a friend's funeral by himself, did you? I made the request when we got the news, and the Commander arranged it all. I am only sorry we couldn't be here for you when your grandfather died, but we got the news too late to assemble."

I got the traditional French greeting by the men as well as Maurice. I knew most of them, having served with several in a couple of campaigns. Maurice ordered them to fall in and come to attention. I was then given the traditional salute to a superior as well as a medal holder. I called my family over and introduced them to Maurice, explaining to them why they were there. Of course Maurice, being the typical Frenchman, had to give the French greeting to all of them. I thought Carver was going to smack him at first. I just looked at him and slightly nodded my head, so he stood there, stiff as a board, while being kissed on both cheeks by the trouble making Maurice. He was speaking French as he greeted each one of them, when I introduced them. When he got to Sally, she answered him back in his native tongue. I thought he was going to split his face, he was smiling so wide. They were jabbering a mile a minute, and Kat had a shocked look on her face. I put my arm around her and called out to Maurice; "Caporal, return to your men and assume your position."

He immediately turned and saluted me, and then he went to the head of the squad, coming to attention with the rest of them. Since I was speaking in French, Carver just stared at me in surprise. I told Kat to stay with the rest for a few minutes, and went over to Maurice and the squad. I put them at ease, and told Maurice what I expected from them, and how they were to fall in at the rear when we came out with the coffin. I told him what I had already been told by Jerry, that we would be marching the short distance to the Cemetery. There we would be met by the Military Contingent, who would take over when we set the coffin down. I was again saluted, and I rejoined my daughter and Kat before we went inside. We were greeted by what I thought was a Major and given instructions. He then, to my surprise, saluted me before going to his seat. We were seated in the front row reserved for family. I asked Carver why the Major had saluted me.

"Jon, I know you don't understand, but that medal you're wearing around your neck is the equivalent to our Congressional Medal of Honor. Any officer on active duty, and a lot who are not will, automatically salute it out of habit. I know it's one of your country's highest awards, and I admit I was shocked to see you wearing it. No wonder you rate a squad of your own men to appear in a foreign country to attend a funeral that you are at."

"I don't understand all this big to do about a bravery medal. Granted, it's one of our highest awards, but I lost a whole squad of men. To me, it was given to honor their bravery and sacrifice in the line of duty and I never thought of it as mine. I only accepted it for them, and that's why I wear it today. It surprises me that anyone would even recognize it in this country. As for the squad, Maurice is a personal friend. Although I didn't expect him to be here, it is nice to see him and the men after all these years."

We didn't have a chance to discuss it any more, because the services started. We sat for about an hour, and after the final prayer was said, Carver and I went up to the casket. We went to opposite sides, and at the Major's command, we started out of the church. I had told Tiny and Jimmy to keep a close eye on the girls and Myrna, so I wasn't worried about them. When we got to the front doors and went down the steps, I could hear my squad singing "Le Boudin." We stopped for a moment in front of the church. The Major came up and stood in front of us and started the march to the cemetery. I heard the marching song from the squad stop and the familiar order to march. The walk to the cemetery was a short one.

When we arrived at the stand, we set the coffin on it and took our seats in the front row on the folding chairs. I was seated between Kat and Sally, with Jeb next to Sally on the outside. My squad came up, stopped about fifty feet away and came to attention. They started up the song again while the rest of the ceremony went on. I felt the familiar sense of pride and unity while listening to them. They were singing the "Le Boudin" as the prayers and twenty-one gun salute concluded. The flag was folded and presented to Myrna, who had tears running down her cheeks. Carver had his arm around her, and Kat and Sally were holding my hands in a death grip as they watched. Kat finally broke down crying, and it almost tore my heart out, hearing the deep wrenching sobs come out of her little body. I looked at Jerry and he was crying and holding his wife. I put my arm around Kat and just held her as she sobbed. We finally got it all over with and started filing past the coffin. I was behind Kat and Sally and watched as they both placed a rose on the top of it. When I came up to the coffin, I stopped and came to attention and saluted. Then I went to one knee, removed the medal from around my neck, and put it on top of the coffin. I stood back up, saluted again, and walked away, feeling somehow lighter deep down inside. I joined Kat and Sally along with Myrna and Carver, noticing Myrna clutching the flag to her chest like she was afraid she was going to drop it. Maurice came over to me and stopped.