The Hug Heard 1/3 of the Way Around The World!
This is my best story of my deployment with my National Guard Signal Company.
It was early November, 2003. My 15 day leave started as it should. A flight to Kuwait. On the flight to Baltimore, MD, we stopped in Germany to refuel. I went outside to see Germany again. I had been stationed in West Germany from 1980 to 1983. I saw this one Army female that didn't seem to have the going home attitude. So we started talking. Anyways, she wasn't too sure about her welcome home. Well, I hugged her and told her that she wasn't going home unhugged. That seemed to help.
Once I got to Baltimore, we had to go down a receiving line of senior officers and NCOs. They were there to thank us. Fine. What ever it takes to get home, I'll do. The last two were Chaplains. The first was a huge male Col. He had the build of a linebacker for American football. The second was a tiny female Lt. Col. I shook the COLs hand. Then I bent down to shake the female's hand. I am 6' 4" tall. Instead of shaking my hand, she put her arms around me and hugged me. I don't know why, I put my arms around her and stood up lifting her a foot off the floor! She giggled and the COL shot my a look! OOPS! I quickly put her down and left. Nothing was said!
The leave went well. I had quite a few one use cameras that I had developed. Once I had the pictures back, I called my First Sergeant's wife so I could show her. I have a ton of respect for TOP, and wanted to show her that he is fine.
She came to the house to meet with me. I showed her the pictures. She liked that. At the end of the visit, she said she had something to give me to take back to TOP. Well, dummy me, I thought she was going to dig something out of her big purse. WRONG! When I got over to her, she stood up and gave me a big hug. Then she told me to give that to TOP when I saw him.
I explained that we weren't on the same base in Iraq. I wasn't sure when I would see TOP next. She wasn't put off. She just said to do my best.
On my way back to Iraq, I kind of put that out of my mind.
Back at Baltimore, I met the female I had hugged in Germany. She smiled very brightly when she saw me. We had a very nice visit.
The rest of the return trip went very well. And a wild landing back at BIAP (Baghdad International Air Port) were the team I was part of was posted. Anyways, I got a ride back to the house where we were quartered.
As I got to the door, one of the Sergeants on the team met me and welcomed me back. My first words to him where, "Do you know where TOP is?"
He said, "He is in the living room, Why?"
I just said, "Good!"
I went to my bedroom and tossed my duffle bag and back pack in. Then I walked into the living room. Yep, there he was sitting and watching a movie with the rest of the team and a few other guests.
I walked up to the side of his chair in the center of the room. I said, "First Sergeant, stand up."
He gave me the look you would expect of a First Sergeant hearing something that sounded like an "order" from a mere Sergeant. The others in the room kind of looked at me for a moment.
I spread my feet. I put my fists on my hips and said, "First Sergeant, you heard me, STAND UP!"
Now everyone in the room is looking at me. TOP, now gets out of his chair and squares up to me. Before he can say anything, I put my arms around him and give him a big hug. And I quietly say in his ear, "This is from your wife, Judy!". This bear of a First Sergeant about melts in my arms.
The rest of the room not hearing what I just said, about has their jaws dropping to the floor at the site!
I am sure that the next morning TOP e-mailed his wife asking something to the effect of "what the heck are you doing to my Soldiers back there?" And I am sure that Judy upon reading that knew what I had done and probably gave a fist pump and said "YES!"
We still talk about this event. It is one of our fondest memories. And after we got back from Iraq at a Company fun day, she said she should have kissed me and given my some tongue! All I can think of is "OH GAWD!"
And the female I hugged in Germany, I am still in touch with from time to time.
Bill G.