Afterthoughts:

Do you remember “F Troup,” the TV series about how the US Cavalry handled the Indians, if they were cowards?

Larry Storch played Corporal Agarn, the junior partner of Sgt. O’ Rourke. Agarn was a little slow on the uptake.

When I reported in for duty, I had to report to Sgt. Birch. Jack Birch had taken me under his wing when I first arrived in Bitburg; I like to think he had been my guardian angel, or sergeant, since I reported for duty on my first assignment. He was happy to see me and welcomed me to the unit, very warmly in fact.

“Realini, you are the sloppiest Staff Sergeant I have ever seen.” He commented as I was being greeted. I was used to it by then. I was always in trouble for not having my uniform ironed or my hair too long. So I just went in to the break room and sat down to watch the guys play Pinochle.

About 20 minutes later something was bothering me. I got up and went in to the office to find out what he had said to me.

Sgt. Birch looked up and smiled at me.

“What do you mean, Staff Sergeant?” I asked.

“Congratulations!” He was smiling with his hand out for a handshake. “Didn’t you hear? Your promotion just came through.”

I felt like Agarn. Happy, but really dumb.