A Soldier’s Heart

For the past few hours the memory of the young, blue-eyed girl waving goodbye plagued his every thought. His vision was blurred by tears of despair as the door to the C-130 gradually cut off the last visions of his homeland he would have for three years. The insurmountable feeling of loneliness as the reality of what was soon to come gripped his every nerve as he heard the engines’ roar. His stomach churned as he felt the plane begin to lurch forward.
Those were the first memories Nathan Bradford had of leaving America to fight for his country. Nathan was on his way home from Camp Barracuda, Afghanistan where he’s been stationed for the past three years. Nathan was among twelve others that were making the flight home. Even though he had never met any of the weary looking men before him, he felt the everlasting bond that can only be achieved through the comradeship obtained as a soldier in the United States Army. Each one seemed ambitious about seeing their loved ones momentarily. Regrettably, there was one man who was accompanying them in a flag covered casket. Even more horrifying to Nathan was the reality of who was in that casket. It was his long time friend Jackson Taylor. He was killed while their convoy was on a patrol. Nathan began to weep fiercely as he began to recall the grim memories of that appalling day.
“The first thing I’m going to do is kiss my beautiful wife and daughter,” said Jackson.
“Jackson, stay focused and keep your eyes on the road would you? You’ll get your wishes soon enough. We only have two more days before we leave this forsaken wasteland,” replied Nathan. Nathan and Jackson were contemplating what the first thing they were going to do when they got home was.
“This is it, our last patrol in a foreign, unforgiving place. It’s gone by quicker than I expected,” said Jackson.
“Yep, I’m going to miss this paradise,” he sarcastically replied.
They were on their last patrol before their time was up and they were sent home. As their convoy began heading into what seemed to be the only mountains for miles Jackson said, “I don’t know Nathan. The feeling in my gut doesn’t like these mountains.”
“Would you relax? We’ll be out of here in…” He was cut off by a thundering roar as he watched the lead car go up in a colossal, blazing fireball. He bellowed at the top of his voice, “RPG, everyone take cover! Jackson, get us off the road before we’re blown to pieces!”
Then, his worst fears were realized he heard the whistling of a rocket and a sudden blinding inferno engulfed his vision. Soon after, he felt the searing heat swarm every inch of his body. He naturally recoiled in agony as the sea of flames continued to bite and prick at his tender skin. By then his senses had gone astray. None of it seemed real, as if he would wake up any moment to find it was only a nightmare. As his consciousness began to sluggishly return to him, he became aware of the severity of the situation he was in. As his sense of touch began to recover, he noticed there was a feeling of numbness within both of his legs. He looked down in disbelief at the appalling sight before him as he realized his legs were blackened and charred. As the gravity of where he was and what had happened came back to him, he panicked and frantically surveyed the humvee for Jackson. He noticed the driver’s seat was empty. Fearing the worst, he began to call out Jackson’s name.
“Jackson! Jackson! Are you ok?”
At that very moment, Nathan’s door creaked open. His eyes stung at the newly found light emitting from outside. Then, the shadow of man appeared.
“Nathan, are you all right? Are you hurt?”
“My, my legs, they’re badly burnt. I can’t feel them,” he replied wearily.
“It’s going to be alright. Now let’s get you out of there,” Jackson said as he wrapped his arms up and around Nathan’s shoulders. “This is going to hurt so prepare yourself.” Nathan mentally prepared himself as Jackson began to slowly dislodge him from the vehicle. Nathan gritted his teeth as the pain became unbearable as the last of his immobilized body was pulled free of the wreckage. “Medic, I need a medic over here!”
As Jackson cautiously carried them to cover behind another humvee, Nathan asked, “What’s going on?”
“We were ambushed by a group of Taliban insurgents. I’m going to carry you to the remaining part of the convoy so you can be extracted and delivered to a hospital. As soon as they have to reload, we’ll move.” Before long, there was lull in the ringing of gunfire. “Let’s go!” Jackson lifted him onto his shoulders and began to dash towards the remaining soldiers. They were about halfway when bullets began to rivet the air again. “We’re almost there. Just hold on for…”, he was cut off by the sudden jolt he felt through his chest. Nathan heard the gasp of air leave Jackson’s body and clenched onto his shoulders as Jackson stumbled.
“Are you alright?” he asked frantically.
“Yeah, I’m fine,” said Jackson. His voice was shaky and muffled. Every step he took seemed heavier than the last. Then, just a few feet before they reached the remaining patrol, Jackson collapsed. Nathan screamed in agony as he hit the rock, hard ground. He rolled several feet before coming to an abrupt stop. He was lying on the ground facing Jackson’s now motionless body. His eyes became blurry as he shouted, “Jackson, Jackson get up!” He barely registered that he was getting farther and farther away from Jackson as he was being drug off by soldiers of the remaining patrol. “Jackson, please get up.”
The sudden jerk of the plane coming to a halt jarred Nathan from his memories. His heart began to beat fiercely as the door to the plane began to open. As the door finished its descent, ---he felt as if he was going to cry as--- the first views of America he’s had in three years came into focus. There, waiting several feet down the ramp was a young, blonde haired girl with shining blue eyes smiling at him. Next to her was the most beautiful woman he’d ever laid eyes on. His eyes began to water as he rolled his wheelchair down the ramp. The girl ran towards him, eyes moist from the first sights of her father in three years.
“Daddy, daddy!” the young girl squealed. She leaped into his lap and gave him the greatest bear hug he’s ever received.
“Oh baby, I missed you so much! Look how much you’ve grown!” His wife walked up to him and they shared the most passionate kiss they’d had since the day they got married.
“I’m so glad you made it home! We prayed every day that you’d return safely to us,” his wife said ecstatically. “We heard about Jackson. I’m so sorry honey.”
“Daddy, I drew you a picture!” The young girl handed him a picture with a man, woman, and young girl standing in front of a tan colored house with the words “My family” in red crayon above the trio.
“It’s wonderful baby girl! It looks like we have an artist on our hands”, he said.
Then, as the casket carrying his dearest friend was carried off the plane, he noticed another woman and her daughter. They were weeping with despair. He rolled up to the pair and said, “He saved my life.” Nathan spoke from his heart when he said, “I loved him. He was like the brother I never had. I was injured in an ambush and he pulled me from the wreckage. If it wasn’t for him, well, I wouldn’t be here.” He grabbed her hand and said with the utmost sincerity, “I wanted you to know that he died as a hero, to me and to all of us.”
Jackson’s wife looked at him with the most sympathetic look he’s been given and said, “Nathan, he’s always been a hero in our hearts, and he always will be. You would have done the same for him.”
“Thank you, that means more to me than you’ll ever know.” As he rolled off to meet his family again he said, “Let’s go home.” As he rolled beside his family, he took one last look at the casket that carried his dearest friend. He saluted and said, “Thank you Jackson, thank you.”