David Hardt's Report

The following is the full story from the Fort Lewis Ranger's Jan. 25th issue on newsstands now.

The day that the squad had been anticipating finally arrived: Jan. 15, 2007, the day of significant and imperative change. The last patrol with the squad was rather solemn. As we loaded the truck and everyone took their place, we all just seemed to sit there. There was an uneasy feeling in the air. Men are artists at casing their feelings, so body disposition usually gives it away, particularly when you have been around the same guys for a while. All of the looks were analogous, — either head down in the thinking position or staring straight ahead showing no expression. I finally broke the ice. “Well, this is it; the final patrol as 3rd Team. It’s been fun, but like all good times, things come to an end.” Murray looked down at the ground as if he was probing for something and then replied sympathetically. “Everything will be fine; it’s just going to be different.” I knew that there was only one way to bring some smiles to the imminent situation and that was to talk about all the good times 3rd Team had experienced. It was like a light had turned on in the dark troop compartment.

Murray started by laughing. “I remember the day I tucked and rolled to the best of my ability.” Everyone laughed. “I remember being told by Sergeant Lawrence to go get the bolt cutters in the truck. I went running out to the truck, grabbed them and then quickly came running back. I started to get some momentum, and then with all my weight on my kit, I started to barrel forward. I saw Hardt looking at me like I was some wild man; he tried to jump out in front of me and catch me. Hardt realized that there was no way of catching me, so I just crashed to the floor with my saw and bolt cutters tucked tight into my chest. I couldn’t believe I didn’t break anything. Everyone just looked at me while I was on the ground in disbelief.”

Sgt. Murilo jumped in: “I remember our first patrol together. It was a night patrol, and the Cav unit got into a little scuffle, and we came to the rescue. Our truck was in the front. I remember driving like crazy through the streets and then stopping and seeing ten dudes just walking around with weapons celebrating. They didn’t even know we were there. I remember the driver stopped so fast that everyone got whiplash. The bad guys realized we were there when shots opened up. We all went racing through the night being all cool and tactical. We found the guy who was shooting and detained him. That was start.”

Click here for the rest of David's report.

Comments

[Sharon Williams]

David I can not get to the rest of your article on the 25th of Jan. Can you help please. I am a mother of SGT Lawrence and I print off all your articles for a scrape book I am working on for him. Thanks and be careful and God bless you all.
Sharon

[David B Hardt (*The writer)]

Sharon,\
Came across the same thing,not really sure why it is this way. I am not in charge of the blog. Anyways. It will send you to a Myspace form and from there it should come up. If not you may have to get a my space account.
\ \ I am on leave right now, so I will have a story coming out aboutn that.
All the squads have change and things are tracking.

[SSG Watson]

Once again Hardt, well done on the article. Thanks for keeping us up to date on all the "lighter side of" stuff thats going on with you guys. Remember that moves aren't always bad, they help you understand everyone a little bit better, and it also brings a tremendous amount of cohesion into your platoon from the shared hardship of change.

[David B Hardt (*The Writer)]

Ha SSG watson,
Really good to hear from you again, I know you understand this article better then anyone. Yes it is hard to change, but it is for the best.I am trying to write about both side of the road in the infantry. Theres alot of people that don't realize that we as men depend so much on each other for family support. Now granted not all men show there love for each other the way people perscribe, but men that fight together have a bond that no one can truly encompass or or fully understand. You know as well as I do not all men get along, but at any given time they would give there life for one another.Most of men I know fight for one thing Family the one beside them and the one away. young men getting out of highschool and taking up the call....makes you look at the kid at the mall walking around acting like all hard and bad ass you just want to say..."Really"
I am on leave and I am seeing some things that are just blowing my mind.. Anyways I am writing a story about what the people think of us. SSG Watson..........thank for your support. I need it./
David B Hardt