Rogers Retreat

After the end of the field problem Lee and his remaining recruit friends returned to their barracks. They spent the next week cleaning and turning in their training equipment and practicing for graduation. After graduation many of the men would go to the fleet or other Marine Units. A few would be assigned to other schools for more training.

Most veterans know there are two divisions in the personnel offices of the military. They are the Dirty Tricks Department and the Fairy God Mother department. Most of the personnel actions come from the Dirty Tricks Department. Lee was lucky. When it came time for selection to be made for his occupational skill he was assigned by the Fairy God Mother department and selected for further training as a mechanic.

When Lee arrived at his school after Boot Camp it quickly became apparent he could teach some of the instructors a thing or two about engines. Unfortunately, he still had to go through the course of instruction. Private Rogers quickly became an unofficial assistant instructor and spent his school time happily training his fellow students. Still, he did learn some new things, mostly about military specific engines and equipment and the military paperwork. He graduated number one in his class and received a promotion to Lance Corporal for his efforts. Six months later he took and passed the test for Corporal and was promoted shortly thereafter.

Lee's first assignment was to a unit working up to be assigned to Iraq. He was placed in the motor pool and quickly became proficient in his new job. Soon he was making repairs normally done by those with several years in service because he was not only faster on the job than others but he knew more about the equipment. Corporal Roger's efficiency reports were top mark. He was on the fast track for promotion and his Company Commander told him he had a bright future in the Marine Corps if he kept his nose clean.

Lee's job was hot and dirty. There was always too much work and too little time but he kept plugging away as would any good Marine. Time in Iraq went by slowly in one way but he was so busy that it went fast too. Soon his unit's year long deployment was over and they rotated home to the states once again. After stand down and retraining they were once again at the head of the list for overseas deployment.

This time Lee and his unit deployed to Afghanistan. Once again the workload and urgency of the work increased, but Lee was in his element. He loved the work and enjoyed being with most of his fellow Marines. About five months into this deployment Lee was NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) in charge of a wrecker crew sent to retrieve a broken down Hummer. They went in the company of a small security detachment, but he was in charge of the retrieval for the damaged vehicle.

Lee and his crew were hooking the vehicle to the wrecker while the security detachment stood guard when, as the military says, the shit hit the fan. Two RPG rounds impacted near the clustered vehicles and small arms fire began impacting Marines and their vehicles. Immediately the security detachment took the insurgents under fire. Lee and his crew took cover and began returning fire also.

All at once Lee's driver grunted and sort of melted into the ground. A stray round found its way into his chest through the arm of his protective vest. Lee grabbed him and pulled him into better cover then he tore his vest open to survey the wound. Lee quickly opened the Marine's first aid kit and dressed the wound as well as he could. He heard a noise and looked up just as a Taliban fighter took aim at him. Lee rolled to the side and grabbed his weapon. He quickly aimed at the attacking fighter and pulled the trigger. The Taliban fighter collapsed and Lee saw three more following behind. He turned his fire on them and took them out also. He saw a small group of white covered fighters near the perimeter and moved to meet them.

As Lee neared the small group of rocks in which he intended to take cover he felt a stinging in his left leg. He tried to stand on it and fell onto the hard dusty ground. Lee looked down quickly and saw blood coloring his uniform. Lee looked up once again and saw some of the enemy moving toward him. He quickly turned his attention to the Taliban once again. He fired and threw grenades until the entire group he was facing was down. After the Taliban in Lee's sight were down he turned his attention to his wound. He applied a dressing then returned to his watchful guard. Lee maintained his position while his fellow Marines continued the battle elsewhere.

The firefight continued for several more moments then ended almost as rapidly as it started. The security detachment called in medical evacuation for the two men badly injured in the fight. Lee did not report his wound and the NCO in charge assumed the blood on his leg was from his injured driver. Lee finished hooking up the damaged vehicle while the security detachment finished securing the area. After the medevac Lee and his security detachment returned to base with the vehicle.

As soon as he reached the motor pool Lee climbed down from the wrecker. He collapsed when he tried to stand on his injured leg and woke up in a hospital. The wound was not serious enough for evacuation. Lee was given light duty for three weeks then returned to full duty.

Three months later Lee received notice he was awarded the Purple Heart for the injury and a Bronze Star with "V" device for valor in combat.

Lee and his unit remained in Afghanistan another seven months after his injury. In the tenth month of their deployment another crew was out on a recovery and repair mission when tragedy struck. An IED hit the vehicle the Sergeant in charge was in. None of the Marines were killed but all were injured badly enough to be evacuated back to the United States for treatment. Lee was called into his commander's office and promoted to Sergeant then placed in charge of his section.

The remainder of his tour passed uneventfully for Lee. After his return to the states he remained in his unit of assignment. By the time the unit had worked up to the top of the list for deployment once again Lee didn't have enough time remaining in the Corps to be deployed with them. He remained in his stateside base until he was released from active duty at the expiration of his term of service.

Lee considered himself somewhat lucky. He was never a "super trooper" but was always well respected by his superiors and peers. He was a hard drinking, hard partying southern boy and that didn't change. He had many scrapes with the rules and regulations but managed to avoid serious trouble during his four year enlistment. He served two tours overseas, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan and returned home safely. He was immensely proud of his promotion to Sergeant and somewhat surprised. He knew if some of his hijinks had come to the attention of his superiors he would not have received that promotion. Never the less, he was the first of his family to ever be promoted to such a high rank in the Corps and he was proud as he knew his father and grandfather were.

As with most people who enter the service, Lee was changed. Also as with most people who go in service the change was for the better. Upon his discharge Lee was healthy, fit, and had learned to be a self starter and a very responsible individual. While his basic personality did not change he learned to better control his fits of temper. He learned to curb his proclivity to fisticuffs.

CHAPTER 3

AFTER THE CORPS

Finally, the long awaited day arrived. Lee was separated from active duty with the U S Marine Corps. He elected to take cash in lieu of a ticket home. Lee found he could pocket some serious change if he took mileage then purchased a bus ticket home instead of letting the government buy him an airline ticket.

When Lee's bus arrived in his home town he watched the streets and buildings pass slowly by as it approached the bus terminal. For some reason he had not taken any leave time to go home and visit during his entire enlistment and he was soaking up the changes and similarities of his old home. His eyes felt strangely wet. Finally, the bus stopped and Lee rose to resume his interrupted civilian life. Lee stepped off the bus and moved aside until the driver opened the luggage compartment.

Lee quickly grabbed his sea bag and walked toward the terminal. He had purposefully not told anyone he was returning home. He didn't want any fuss made about his return and was afraid his family would all insist on meeting him when he got off the bus. Now he wondered if that was a good idea. It would be a long walk home. Their small plot of ground and old house was over ten miles out of town. Lee could make the walk, no problem. That would be an easy hike compared to some he made in the Corps, but he would rather not do it.

It was almost noon so Lee walked down the street to the local café for lunch. When he entered everyone looked up to see who entered. Most of the customers immediately turned back to their meals. A very pretty waitress walked up to Lee and said, "Just sit , Honey. Ya want coffee now?"

Lee smiled at her and said, "Yes, Ma'am, I guess. No wait. I want a Coke instead and a double burger and onion rings. Throw on an order of fries, too, please."

"Ya got it, Sugar."

Lee moved to a booth in the front window. He put his Sea Bag on one seat and then sat down. He looked out the window until the waitress placed a glass of water and his Coke in front of him. She said, "Burger'll be done quick. There's free refills on the soda. Let me know if ya need anything else, Sugar."

While he was waiting for his meal, Lee sat quietly sipping on his drinks. A group of greasy looking young men entered the café. They were loud and boisterous. As they walked into the room they carelessly pushed chairs out of their way and moved a table or two by hitting them with their hips. They laughed at the commotion and took a table near two young women. Their talk was loud, bragging about themselves and making comments to the women. Lee ignored them as best he could. He listened to their conversation occasionally.

Lee was about half way through his lunch when something the slobs were laughing about caught his attention. By that time he had discovered they all worked at the local Chevy dealer in the garage. The taller the group said, "No shit? Andrew and Sandra Porter actually did that to Ramona? God, I love it. Bitch thinks she's too good for us. Hell, she refuses to go out with any of us. I ask ya, what's wrong with us? Nothing, that's what. I'm glad they put it to her."

Another said, "Yeah, give her some crap, sure, but there was no reason to get her fired. At least she was nice to us and would talk to us even if she wouldn't go out with us. They really had no reason to do that to her. And besides, Sandra and Andrew are total assholes. Ever since they finished college and came home they've lorded it over us worse than they did in high school. Crap, neither one of them ever talks to the help in a decent tone of voice. After he got to be new car manager and she became office manager they've been on a tear. That shit should have happened to them instead of Ramona. Crap, if they would do something like that to family what would they do to us if we piss them off?"

"Hell, Dude, if you knew they faked the records why didn't you tell the old man?"

"Duh. Maybe because I like to eat and I need my job not to mention I value my health. Andy and his buds would totally mess a dude up if he found out I ratted him out. Hell, look at what he did to that dude that got sent off to the Marines. What was his name? Oh, yeah, Lee Rogers. And what about what he and those asshole friends of his did to those two guys he thought were messing with Sandy. No, I don't want him to even know I exist."

"So where did Ramona go when they fired her?"

"Dunno. Left town. Even her mother couldn't help her I heard. She and the old man are having trouble over it I think. She believes Ramona and the old man believes the faked books and his daughter."

The three finished their meal and walked past Lee on the way to pay the cashier. One of them looked at Lee with a puzzled expression as he passed. Lee watched them in the parking lot. They stopped and were talking loudly. The one that looked at him as they were leaving was pointing at Lee through the window."

Lee decided it was time to move on. He shouldered his sea bag and walked out of the restaurant after paying his bill. He walked almost a mile to the edge of town and the shop where he used to work. When he entered, his old boss was lounging in the same chair he used while Lee worked there.

The owner looked up at Lee when he entered the door. He stared a moment then roared, "Lee, you son of a bitch! When did you get home? Damn, boy, it's good to see ya."

Lee said, "Just got in a while ago on the bus. Haven't even been home yet. I'm hoofing it and thought I'd stop in a spell on the way. How's it going you old fart?"

"About like before. Damn, ya look good. Come on and sit a spell while we catch up. What're ya hoofin' it for? I thought maybe ya stopped in for your ride."

"Naw, hell, ya don't haveta give me a ride. I guess I'll just walk out to the place. I never told the folks I was acommin. Wanted ta surprise 'em."

"I wasn't offering ya a ride, Lee. I asked if ya were here fer your ride. I'm not too sure how much of a surprise your being home will be. Your daddy and granddaddy brought your ole truck in last week for me to tune up and get ready for ya. They told me your last letter said ya wasn't gonna reup so they expected ya home soon. I just happen to have the keys here if ya wantta take it."

"Really? Man, that's great. Hell, yeah." The two friends talked for another thirty minutes then Lee said, "Well, guess I oughtta go. I'm kind of anxious to see everyone."

"OK. Sure been good to see ya. Say, Lee, what're ya gonna do now that you're out?"

"Dunno. Take a couple weeks off to relax first, then guess I'll try to find a job somewhere. Know anyone that needs a good mechanic?"

"No, sorry, Lee. I would like to take ya on but I just don't have the work right now. I'll ask around though and let ya know if I hear anything."

Lee and his old Boss visited several more minutes then Lee paid him for the work on his truck. When Lee walked around behind the building to the parking area he stopped in shock. The truck sitting there had to be his but it wasn't at all like it was when he left home. While he was gone his family had paid for all the body work Lee wanted done. The truck sitting there was showroom new. It had been completely restored! After he started it he found even the interior and AC were redone. Finally Lee put the truck in gear and drove off toward home. The old truck was running like a top but he wished his folks hadn't hired it tuned. Hell, he could have done it for a lot less and would have enjoyed doing it too.

It was almost dark when Lee drove into his family's yard and honked the horn. His mother came to the kitchen door then squealed and ran out of the house when she saw Lee walking toward the door. His father was coming along behind her. He heard a commotion from his grandparent's home and turned to see both of them coming across the yard toward him also.

Lee's mother enveloped him in a hug and gave him a kiss then stepped back to allow his father and grandparents to welcome him home also. After several minutes of excited chatter Lee followed his parents back into their house. He sat at the kitchen table with his father and they visited while his mother finished preparing supper. It was only a few minutes before his grandparents arrived carrying food to place on the table for an impromptu family gathering welcoming Lee home.

After a large meal and some much needed reconnecting Lee's father asked, "Well, Boy, what're ya agonna do now? Taint much work hereabouts. I can use some help around tha place but you know we caint rightly support ya."

"Yeah, I know Pop. I've got a little money saved from the Marines. I'm gonna spend some time on the island camping for a while then try to find work in town. I'm a damn good mechanic and I even can do a little fabrication and body work if I need to. Think I'll try for work over in Sparta instead of Waterloo though. I would like to have my own place sometime, but I don't want to compete with Burt or the Chevy garage here. I'll take a job anywhere though, if it's good enough. You know of anyone hiring?"

"No. Not so's ya could talk about. I wouldn't want to say. Best thing is to just hit the streets and ask around I suppose. Things are still pretty slow in these parts."

Lee stayed around the farm the next day visiting with his family. Late morning on the second day after he got home Lee loaded his camping gear into his truck and drove to town. He bought provisions enough to stay on the island for at least two if not three weeks. He had several cases of beer, some soda pop, dry beans, rice, eggs, taters, onions, coffee and other staples. He parked at the family pier and loaded the boat with his provisions. He took a roundabout trip to the island and circled it before landing at his usual place.

He had to make three trips to carry his provisions to his normal camping spot and even then he left some of the canned goods near the landing in a well concealed spot. Lee had several places he liked to camp on the island and he would probably move between them during the time he was there. His first stop was the best he thought, though.

There was a little undercut bluff maybe fifty feet above the waterline surrounded by large trees so it was almost always in the shade. It was on the southeast part of the island and was an excellent place to sit and watch the sun come up in the morning. Many days he could watch the fog rise from the lake and the small stream that ran into the lake from the opposite shore. That stream was the southern boundary of his family's small piece of ground.

Lee settled in for a rest that first day. In the evening he took his fishing gear and went fishing. He caught enough fish for supper and to eat the next day. That evening Lee feasted on fresh caught fish, fried taters and onions, lettuce salad and pork and beans. That was his favorite lakeside meal and he looked forward to it the next day also. After supper he watched darkness fall while he had a few beers, then tapered off on some of his daddy's corn squeezins.

There were some squirrels on the island and Lee shot a few of them to eat as well. He even went over to the mainland and shot a small deer one morning. Of course, he had to be careful doing that because it wasn't deer season, but what the heck. He was living high on the hog for a country boy.

Before he knew it his provisions were gone and so was his self awarded vacation. He managed to spend a full three weeks on the island. His father and grandfather had each visited him twice during that time so he was almost completely caught up on the local gossip for the time he was in the Corps. Now it was time to find work even though his funds were nowhere near depleted.

Lee motored back to the mainland early on a Monday morning. He was dressed in his best clothes—nearly new Levi's and a pearl snap western shirt and his boots. Lee spent the complete day searching for work in Sparta. He stopped in all the garages and talked to the managers or owners. None of them gave him much hope of work but most said they would keep him in mind.

Lee purchased some supplies and returned to his island instead of returning to his parent's home. On Tuesday Lee stayed on the island once again and relaxed. By now his little overhang was feeling and looking real homey. He spent some time cutting and putting up small logs to extend the walls outward and then roofed the newly added "room". He even got busy one day and chinked the cracks in the logs with a clay and grass mixture. He roofed over the entire undercut so he had a small covered porch on one side of his "room" also. The protection helped a couple of times during a hard rain and he expected it to help even more in the cooler months if he spent time there like he used to. He even built a small fire area inside in case he wanted some heat.