12-24-2008, 05:21 PM
This isn't a Christmas story about trains. In fact, there is no trains in this story at all.
Its a personal story. One I think of every years since its happening. It also reminds me to think about those brave men and women, defending our freedoms, and can't be home to enjoy the holidays with their families. Family should be the most important thing for everyone. Especially this time of year.
December 24th, 1983.
I was stationed at Gieblestadt Army Airfield in the middle of nowhere Germany, with the 3rd Aviation Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. I was in an aviation intermediate repair company that supported two combat companies of AH1-S(MZ) Cobra attack helicopters. We had just spent all day replacing a rotor head on one of Bravo Company's birds. and I was beat.
After a quick Christmas Eve dinner at the mess hall, I headed back to my room at the barracks, kicked off my boots, and settled back watching AFN(Armed Forces Network). We had three man rooms, but there was only me and one other guy, and he got leave and was spending Christmas stateside with family and friends. I was going to be alone on Christmas Eve, but I had planned on calling home that night.
Before I could really start relaxing, a knock came at the door. At first I thought it was my buddy Jesse, from Minnesota, asking me if I wanted to go to the EM club for a couple of beers. It wasn't my friend, but the CQ (Charge of Quarters) runner.
"Top wants to see you."
"OK "I told him. "Gimme a couple of minutes"
I put on my boots, straightened out my uniform, and headed for the First Sergeants office. When I got there, another guy from my unit was sitting on Top's couch. I gave my "Spec Four Gagnier reporting as ordered" routine.
"Specialist Gagnier" Top began."Paulson here has guard duty tonight, but traditionally they celebrate on Christmas Eve. He's looking for someone to switch with. He's willing to take your duty tomorrow, if you take his tonight."
I knew he had his family in country, and also had a small daughter. Since I was single, and had no real palns for that night. How could I refuse?
"If you do this" Top continued "I'll give you a three day pass to use at your choosing."
"No. That's OK. I think he should be with his family tonight."
I dismissed myself and went down to the arms room to draw my weapon. Went up to my room grabbed my gear, and headed to the Guard shack. When I got there, I reported to the Sergeant Of the Guard, and drew airfield, second trick. Duty was Twenty four hours, divided by three tricks two on/four off.When second trick came up, they loaded us in a jeep and dropped us off at our assigned areas, where we re leaved first trick.
It was about 9:30 or so, I was half way thorugh my trick, when the lights of a Jeep headed up the ramp in my direction. Kinda early I thought. It was the Sergeant Of The Guard.
"Someone wants to see you" he told me.
Out of the jeep, came Paulson, his wife, and his daughter, who couldn't of been no more than five years old. In Paulson's wife's hand, I could see an aluminum foil covered plate. The little girl was hugging a thermos, like it was her favorite doll.
"We thought you could use some nice hot food, and some hot chocolate."
The girl walked up to me and hoisted up the thermos. I took the thermos from her, and before I could say "Thank-you", the little girl wrapped her arms around my legs and gave me a big hug. "Thank-you Mister" she said. I looked over at Paulson, who was smiling.
"This was actually her idea."
I was looking for approval from the SOG, but he had already retreated back into the Jeep. Everyone stood there in silence while I ate probably the best Christmas dinner I have ever had, before or since, on the hood of the Jeep. When I finished the meal I handed the empty plate and thermos back to Mrs Paulson. Wished everyone "Merry Christmas". Just before they all loaded up back in the Jeep, the little girl was whispering something in her mothers ear. Mrs Paulson said"She wants to give you a kiss, if that's alright"
I bent down to where she could reach me and she gave me a peck on the cheek, then another big hug. "Thank-you for letting my daddy be home tonight. Merry Christmas" She then bounded back to the Jeep. The SOG turned it around and they were gone. I stood there with a warm feeling, both from the hot chocolate, the food, and that I kept a family together on Christmas Eve.
Oh...And even though I didn't want the three day pass for what I did. First Sergeant still gave me one. One that I never used the rest of my tour in Germany. For I felt I didn't deserve one, for being unselfishon Christmas,
Its a personal story. One I think of every years since its happening. It also reminds me to think about those brave men and women, defending our freedoms, and can't be home to enjoy the holidays with their families. Family should be the most important thing for everyone. Especially this time of year.
December 24th, 1983.
I was stationed at Gieblestadt Army Airfield in the middle of nowhere Germany, with the 3rd Aviation Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division. I was in an aviation intermediate repair company that supported two combat companies of AH1-S(MZ) Cobra attack helicopters. We had just spent all day replacing a rotor head on one of Bravo Company's birds. and I was beat.
After a quick Christmas Eve dinner at the mess hall, I headed back to my room at the barracks, kicked off my boots, and settled back watching AFN(Armed Forces Network). We had three man rooms, but there was only me and one other guy, and he got leave and was spending Christmas stateside with family and friends. I was going to be alone on Christmas Eve, but I had planned on calling home that night.
Before I could really start relaxing, a knock came at the door. At first I thought it was my buddy Jesse, from Minnesota, asking me if I wanted to go to the EM club for a couple of beers. It wasn't my friend, but the CQ (Charge of Quarters) runner.
"Top wants to see you."
"OK "I told him. "Gimme a couple of minutes"
I put on my boots, straightened out my uniform, and headed for the First Sergeants office. When I got there, another guy from my unit was sitting on Top's couch. I gave my "Spec Four Gagnier reporting as ordered" routine.
"Specialist Gagnier" Top began."Paulson here has guard duty tonight, but traditionally they celebrate on Christmas Eve. He's looking for someone to switch with. He's willing to take your duty tomorrow, if you take his tonight."
I knew he had his family in country, and also had a small daughter. Since I was single, and had no real palns for that night. How could I refuse?
"If you do this" Top continued "I'll give you a three day pass to use at your choosing."
"No. That's OK. I think he should be with his family tonight."
I dismissed myself and went down to the arms room to draw my weapon. Went up to my room grabbed my gear, and headed to the Guard shack. When I got there, I reported to the Sergeant Of the Guard, and drew airfield, second trick. Duty was Twenty four hours, divided by three tricks two on/four off.When second trick came up, they loaded us in a jeep and dropped us off at our assigned areas, where we re leaved first trick.
It was about 9:30 or so, I was half way thorugh my trick, when the lights of a Jeep headed up the ramp in my direction. Kinda early I thought. It was the Sergeant Of The Guard.
"Someone wants to see you" he told me.
Out of the jeep, came Paulson, his wife, and his daughter, who couldn't of been no more than five years old. In Paulson's wife's hand, I could see an aluminum foil covered plate. The little girl was hugging a thermos, like it was her favorite doll.
"We thought you could use some nice hot food, and some hot chocolate."
The girl walked up to me and hoisted up the thermos. I took the thermos from her, and before I could say "Thank-you", the little girl wrapped her arms around my legs and gave me a big hug. "Thank-you Mister" she said. I looked over at Paulson, who was smiling.
"This was actually her idea."
I was looking for approval from the SOG, but he had already retreated back into the Jeep. Everyone stood there in silence while I ate probably the best Christmas dinner I have ever had, before or since, on the hood of the Jeep. When I finished the meal I handed the empty plate and thermos back to Mrs Paulson. Wished everyone "Merry Christmas". Just before they all loaded up back in the Jeep, the little girl was whispering something in her mothers ear. Mrs Paulson said"She wants to give you a kiss, if that's alright"
I bent down to where she could reach me and she gave me a peck on the cheek, then another big hug. "Thank-you for letting my daddy be home tonight. Merry Christmas" She then bounded back to the Jeep. The SOG turned it around and they were gone. I stood there with a warm feeling, both from the hot chocolate, the food, and that I kept a family together on Christmas Eve.
Oh...And even though I didn't want the three day pass for what I did. First Sergeant still gave me one. One that I never used the rest of my tour in Germany. For I felt I didn't deserve one, for being unselfishon Christmas,
Torrington, Ct.
NARA Member #87
I went to my Happy Place, but it was closed for renovations.
NARA Member #87
I went to my Happy Place, but it was closed for renovations.