For Family, People, and Country!

By William L. Dickson Jr.

It was Lt. Rick Bollinger's last assignment in Afghanistan! He got his men through it fine! They were high fiveing each other when he was called into his Commander's office and given a telelgram from his father! His younger sister had been brutally beaten and raped by a gang of Mexican illegal's back home, and could possibly lose the sight in one of her eyes! Rick arrived home only to find that the police leads had dried up, and politically, their hands were tied! Rick's hand weren't!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 3, 2011
• ISBN: 9781456742546

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© 2011 William L. Dickson, Jr. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse     4/6/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4567-4256-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-4255-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4567-4254-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011903541

Printed in the United States of America

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THIS BOOK CONTAINS ADULT CONTENT, STRONG LANGUAGE, EXPLICIT SEXUAL ENCOUNTERS, AND POLITICAL OVERTONES!

Contents

FOR FAMILY, PEOPLE, MY COUNTRY!

It was U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Rick Bollinger’s last assignment in Afghanistan! He got his men through it fine! They were high fiving each other when he was called into his commanders office and given the telegram from his father! His younger sister was in a coma! She had been brutally beaten and raped by a gang of Mexican illegal’s back home, and could possibly lose sight in one of her eyes! Rick arrived home only to fine that the police leads had dried up, and politically, their hands were tied! Rick’s hands weren’t!

 "

FOR FAMILY, PEOPLE, MY COUNTRY!"

It was a dark cold night as 1st Lt. Rick Bollinger lay alone contemplating what he was going to do if he made it through this last mission! This was his final tour of duty, and so many of his fellow brothers didn’t make it! He whispered a short silent prayer to himself, God, give me the strength to make the right decisions to protect my men. Whatever happens, your will shall be done!

Rick came from a well to do closely knit family in a small town in Indiana called Harmony! His great-grandfather started the family’s steel business in the early 1800’s! His grand-father had retired from the business when Rick was just a youngster and his father has been the Chairman and CEO ever since! Rick has a younger sister Becky, but it has been assumed that Rick would be next in line to head up the family business! Like his father before him, it was decided he would also start at the bottom and work his way up in order to know what every position in the ladder was expected to do to assure success! Rick excelled in all sports at the local high school, but most importantly graduated at the top of his class! His father sent him to Brown University to study accounting and business administration, where he also graduated at the top of his class! After graduation Rick and his father discussed his future, and it was decided he should join the military to fulfill his obligation to serve his country! They had an in-depth discussion on the possibility of taking another man’s life! His father explained that in certain times, one must do what is necessary to protect the welfare of his own family, its citizens, and country! His father told him since the beginning of time the family has been first! He also told Rick there could possibly be times he would be called upon to kill in order to protect the people in other countries! His father never discussed his own stint in the service, and there were no pictures around showing his father in uniform! Rick was not guided in any manner as to what unit of the military he would serve in! Rick chose the Marines, and wanted to try out for the Special Forces. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone that he excelled in basic training! He scored extremely high in all the courses, as well as the training assignments! He learned Arabic in his language course, and could speak it fluently!

After graduation, his father purchased him a Yarborough knife with the family crest engraved on the blade. The Yarborough knife was a knife commonly used by Special Forces. As a First Lieutenant, he was assigned to a Special Forces Group in Iraq, spent three years there, and was decorated several times! He was transferred to Afghanistan to serve his final year! After several months, his commander gave him the assignment to pick a squad of five men who were to work in darkness within the enemies strongholds!

He was given a list of the top twenty men in his unit, including their entire background! Rick had the sole responsibility to pick five from the group to form the special night time squad! He automatically set aside the names of those that were married and had families, assuming all would not be returning home! Fortunately he had nine names left! After going over the list several times, his first pick was that of Jamie Lightfoot! Jamie was a full blooded Indian who grew up in the foot hills of North Dakota, and called Chief by the whole unit! He finished high school, but turned to drugs and alcohol! The local Sheriff’s Department tried to find Jamie for three months after he beat up two other men in a bar altercation! He continued to elude them in the foot hills and they finally gave up! A week later he unexpectedly showed up at his parents’ home for a quick visit! His father talked Jamie into giving himself up! He walked into the Sheriff’s Department, and simply said, I hear you guys are looking for me! He was jailed without bond, taken to court and given a three month sentence! He served his sentence, and then joined the Marines! It was an awakening call for Jamie! He loved the service, and excelled in everything! He especially excelled on the rifle range, and there was absolute agreement that he was the finest shot in the unit! He wasn’t unfriendly at all, but usually stayed to himself! He talked very little, and never started a conversation with anyone! It was well known he felt the unit was his family and every soldier was indeed his brother! If anyone was asked who they wanted to protect their back, the answer was always the same, Chief!

Ricks next pick was that of Randoff Booker! Randoff, known to the unit as Postman was a black man born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He claimed his mother was a big fan of Randoff Scott, and loved cowboy movies! Thus his name Randoff! He never knew his father, and his mother died of a drug overdose! He was raised by his grandma, who was extremely strict and very religious! She demanded and made sure he attended school! He excelled in sports, but decided not to go to college after graduating! He didn’t take school seriously, but graduated with a good grade average! He got a job on the docks, never got into the drug scene, but began to drink heavily! One night, just after his nineteenth birthday, he took his grandmothers car, got drunk and ran into another car! Unfortunately, he didn’t have a driver’s license or insurance. When he went to court, the Judge gave Randoff an unusual choice! Go to jail, or join the Armed Services! He made the right decision, as it absolutely changed his attitude and outlook on life! He excelled in the Marines, and got the nickname Postman, because he had an unusual knack to get the unit whatever they seemed to need! Rick knew whatever the circumstance; he could rely on the Postman to come through!

Ricks third pick was that of Sergeant Roy McPherson. Know as Serge to the unit! Serge was the elder of the unit with almost twenty years service to his country! His great-grandfather, grandfather and father all retired with honor from the Marines! His family fought in every war and conflict from the First World War to this conflict in Afghanistan! Rick had no problem giving any commands to his men, but knew he could rely on a good second opinion from battle savvy Serge who was constantly looking out for all his adopted men! He was awarded medal after medal over his career, but constantly turned down promotions to become an officer!

The fourth pick was a little more difficult, but Rick picked Johnny Clemmons. He was born in a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia! Johnny known to the unit as Mountain Man, not only because of where he was born, but because of his stature of six foot two and weighing in at a solid 225 pounds! The Mountain Man could easily overpower anyone in the unit at any physical test! His parents were poor dirt farmers, but managed to eke out a living for their brood of six children, of which Johnny was the eldest! No one in the family ever graduated from high school, and Johnny’s mother insisted he stay in school and graduate! He didn’t continue his education, but stayed home to help his parents farm their land! After dinner one evening it was decided the best thing for the family was for Johnny to join the service so he could send home the needed cash to help with their survival! He chose the Marines, and excelled in basic training! Johnny lived off the military, and never spent a dime on anything! He sent every penny he earned home to his parents! He didn’t speak very good English, but was extremely smart! He was first to pick up everything pertaining to their training in hand to hand combat and soon easily disarmed everyone, including his instructors! After Chief, he was the next best rifleman!

Only five names left! Rick had to choose the last man for his Special Unit. He spent a lot more time going over the remaining names wanting to select the best possible choice! It was a hard decision, but he finally decided on Henry McCoy! Henry was known as Radar to the unit because of his unusual knack to hear the slightest sound! He was born in the swamps of Louisiana, and had the gift of knowing exactly where he was when hunting or fishing with his grandfather and father in the swamps! He went alone many times into the swamps to fish or hunt for their dinner, and never got lost! His parents demanded he finish his schooling! He received many college scholarships for football, but wasn’t interested in furthering his education! So, after graduation decided to join the Marines! He’s a top notch solider, and Rick was glad of his decision! The group was united, spent three months together in special training, and have been together ever since. They gave Rick the nickname of Boss Man.

The unit received many decorations from the thirty four missions they completed together! Rick laid there contemplating his future should he be lucky enough to make it through this last mission, number thirty five! The unit was going to be disbanded after this mission! Serge, a career man only had five months left until he retired with twenty years service! The rest of the unit all had less than six months each to serve!

Rick drifted off into a deep sleep! He felt a firm grip on his forearm, and heard the tough gruff voice of Serge! Wake up Boss Man! It’s time to go rabbit hunting!

Rabbit hunting was the term used for the individual or group of individuals the unit was to seek, kill or capture! Their mission this time was to capture one of the top Taliban leaders’ alive, and return him to base for interrogation. Intelligence had received good information from a mole inside one of the strongholds of the Taliban exactly when and where the rabbit would be!

Rick went over the plan one more time with the unit before they boarded the helicopter that would drop them two miles from the safe-house where the rabbit was expected to be!

They were dropped at their destination and hurried off on foot through the cover of darkness! In less than an hour they were at the safe-house! They surveyed the whole area, donned their night vision glasses, and put the plan into effect!

The unit never spoke a word! All communication was with hand signals, except when they were split up! Then Rick was the only one who talked and gave commands through the ear piece each man wore! Radar gave the signal to begin the plan! It was signaled to Chief and Mountain Man to silently take out the two guards! The two moved quickly and quietly and in short order the guards throats were cut and softly laid down! In unison the group moved into the safe-house, moved quickly through the rooms with silenced hand guns, killing all those they encountered! The rabbit was found and The Mountain Man, with his gun held to the rabbits head, quickly escorted him from the safe-house! The unit gathered at the designated area! All were safe! The mission took less than five minutes, and with the rabbit in hand disappeared into the darkness! They headed for the pick-up area, leaving eleven Taliban dead at the safe-house!

In short order they were at the pickup area! Rick contacted the helicopter, it landed, and they were hastily picked up and safely headed back to headquarters! The mission was completed when the helicopter sat down and the rabbit was turned over to the military police!

The unit all high-fived the Boss Man as they headed for the briefing room! It was the end for the unit! In three days Rick would be heading home, and the unit would be officially disbanded! They enjoyed the company of each other for the next three days, and on the morning of Rick’s departure, the unit presented him with his personal Yarborough, which The Postman absconded from him and had it engraved! It read beneath the family crest, Thanks Boss Man! Mountain Man, Radar, Postman, Chief, Serge!

Rick shook each of their hands, gave them a manly hug and told them it was the most cherished gift he ever received! He said he was exceptionally proud of every one of them and would cherish this moment for the rest of his life! Rick handed each of them a paper with his home address, and told them if they were ever in need of anything to contact him!

Shortly before Rick was to depart for home, he was ordered to meet with his commander! He entered the office, saluted, and was asked to sit down! His commander handed him a telegram from his father! It stated that Rebecca, his younger sister was in the hospital in critical condition! She had been beaten and raped, and could possibly lose the sight in her right eye! Rick was stunned at the news, and simply asked to be dismissed! He kept the news to himself, and when he boarded the helicopter, his unit was there standing at attention! As he passed the line of men, they all looked straight ahead and saluted! He stopped in front of them, saluted and boarded the helicopter! As it rose above the encampment he took one last look down at his men! He instinctively waved, and in unison they all waved back!

It was the longest wait of his life as he sat at the airport waiting to board his plane back to the states! He could not dispense the thought of his sister lying there in the hospital! Rick landed in Gary, Indiana, and took a bus to Harmony!

There was no big fanfare when Rick finally arrived at the bus station! His father met him at the station, and they briefly hugged one another. Welcome home son! his father replied. How’s Becky? Rick asked. She’s in a coma and has a long way to go. his father replied. They walked out to the curb, his father opened the trunk and Rick tossed in his gear! He closed the trunk and got into the front seat! Are we going to the Hospital Dad? Rick asked! No son! She’s still in critical care, and we can’t go in the room this evening anyway! Walter will take your mother to the hospital in the morning after breakfast! He will stay with her to make sure she is O.K.! You can take your car when you want to go down. Walter has kept it in fine shape!" Walter was the family handyman and his father’s chauffer!

Both sat in silence on the ride home! What are the police saying Dad? Rick asked as they turned up the long driveway to the family home! They say they have no leads, and no one is coming forward with any information! his father answered. His father parked in the circled driveway instead of pulling into the garage! His father grabbed his gear from the trunk as they walked up to the front door! His mother was waiting there for them! Welcome home son! Are you all right? Are you hungry? she asked as she grabbed and hugged him! His mother always asked if he was hungry! Rick smiled, held her, and kissed her cheek! I’m fine mom, and yes, I am a little hungry! He replied! His mother turned to Hilda who was standing there with a big grin on her face and jokingly stated, You heard him Hilda! He’s hungry! Hilda, the family cook has been with the family for as long as Rick could remember! Hilda quickly came over with tears in her eyes, and without saying a word, gave Rick a big hug! How’s my favorite girlfriend? Rick asked! And, just a sandwich and maybe a glass of milk, He exclaimed! Oh you big teaser! she replied as she scurried off toward the kitchen! Ricks father told Hilda they would be in the den! Rick turned to Walter, who has been with the family for as long as Rick could remember, and was the family butler, chauffer and kind of handyman around the estate! Walter reached out his hand, but Rick grabbed him and gave him a big hug! Thanks for being here! Rick whispered in his ear! Rick spent a lot of time with Walter growing up! He learned how to take care of the cars, the house, as well as the grounds around the estate! Welcome home son! Walter whispered, as he went outside to put the car into the garage!

Ricks mother said she was a little tired and was going to retire for the evening! Shall I walk you up, dear? his father asked her! No, No I’ll be fine! I’ll see you both in the morning! She gave them both a hug and went up the stairs! Let’s go into the Den! His father replied as he put his hand on Ricks shoulder leading the way!

His father replied, I have an early meeting at the plant in the morning before I can go to the hospital son! But, I’ll meet you somewhere along the way tomorrow! Rick asked, Do you want me to go to the plant also dad? Ricks father answered, No! No, you need to take some time off! Just relax for the next few weeks, and then the two of us will decide when and where you want to start work! Hilda knocked and then brought in Ricks sandwich and milk! Rick told her just to retire for the evening, and he would take the plate and glass into the kitchen! She gave him a big hug and left the den! Do you mind if I just relax here alone for awhile Dad? Rick asked! No son, I’m a little tired myself! He answered! The two hugged, as his father said, Good night son! I’m glad you’re home! I guess you still remember where your room is! He said as he smiled and headed upstairs!

Rick sat quietly eating his sandwich when his thoughts soon turned to Becky! He remembered her big smile, beautiful face and shining eyes! And now she may possibly lose one of them! And inner anger built up inside of him as he finished his sandwich and drank his milk! He got up, turned out the lights and took his plate and glass into the kitchen! His thoughts wandered back to the past when he looked at the two stools next to the counter, where Hilda used to bake her famous cakes! He and Becky sat on those stools, giggling and laughing as they licked off the icing from the mixer blades and big spoon Hilda used to make the homemade icing! It was a wonderful time in their lives! He placed the plate and glass in the sink, and then turned out the kitchen lights! He looked back at the stools as he closed the door, wondering when they would laugh in there again! He climbed the steps to his room, quietly closed the door behind him, undressed, flopped on the bed, and soon fell into a deep sleep!

He woke up early, shaved, showered, dressed in an old sweat suit, and pulled on his old tennis shoes! He quietly opened the door, slipped quietly down the steps and went outside! It was a beautiful morning! The dew was still on the grass as he wondered around the grounds! God it was great to be home again! He heard some noises coming from in utility shed next to the garages! He made his way over and opened the door and peered in! Walter was tinkering with one of the lawnmowers! Good morning Walter! he said with a big smile on his face. Good morning young man! Did you sleep well? he asked! Rick replied, Great! Need a hand with anything? Walter replied, Nope! I Got everything under control! He then asked Rick! Have your breakfast yet? Rick answered, No, I just wanted to stroll around the grounds for a little while! Rick continued, How are Mom and Dad holding up? Walter was slow to reply! Well son, your dad, as you know is a very strong individual, but I’m kind of worried about your mom! She’s been taking it really hard! She’s not in the best of health now-a-days, and I hear her crying a lot! What do you mean not in the best of health? Rick asked! It’s nothing really serious! Walter answered, She just seems to be kind of run down a little lately! Your dad had the doctor out last week, and he said she caught a little bit of flu! He gave her some medicine and wanted her to rest a lot, but she’s been on the run all day long with what’s been going on with Becky! Your dad called the doctor, and he said she’d be fine, but she has to rest more often! That’s good! Rick replied, and then asked, How is my favorite car doing Walter? Still purring like a kitten! Walter said with a big smile on his face! Let’s go over and take a look! Walter laid the screwdriver down wiped off his hands, and the two of them walked over to the garages! Ricks favorite car was a 1956 black Chevy that he and Walter restored one summer! Walter showed Rick just what to do with every single part of it, including tuning up the engine! The car was parked in the last garage on the right, as Walter opened the door. With a big smile on his face, Rick stated, Not even a speck of dust on it! Walter answered, Nope! I keep her clean, and in good running shape! I take her for a spin every Saturday, bring her back home, clean her up and park her inside! I just changed her oil last week! She’s been waiting for you Son! Walter beamed! I have some things I want to do before I go to the hospital this morning! Maybe I’ll take her out today, instead of the station wagon! Rick said. That’ll work! Walter answered, as he walked over to the small wall safe, opened it and took out Ricks Chevy keys! He came back over and handed Rick the keys and continued, I’m taking your mom to the hospital around ten o’clock! They heard Hilda yelling down to them! Breakfast was ready, and Rick’s parents were waiting for him! Walter slapped Rick on the back and said, "Glad to have you back son! Go eat now, and I’ll finish up what I was doing! Rick headed for the house, as Walter walked toward the utility shed!

Hilda met him at the door, smiled and said, Morning, hope you’re hungry! as she gave him a big hug! I am you gorgeous woman! he whispered! She giggled and stammered Oh, you! As he walked by her, she playfully slapped his behind!

Rick walked into the dining room and greeted his parents! Good morning mom! he said as he leaned down and kissed her cheek! Good morning dear! She answered with a smile! Good morning dad! he continued! Good morning son! Did you sleep well? his father asked? Rick replied, Like a baby! I must have really been tired! Walter is taking you mother to the hospital this morning! So I am going to drive to the plant myself, and then meet them at the hospital a little later! What is your plans son? Rick answered, I think I’m going to take my Chevy out this morning, go into town and buy some new clothes! Will that be alright with the both of you? Absolutely son! his father replied. Your mother and I will see you over at the hospital, and if you don’t have other plans, we’ll take you to the club for lunch! That sounds find dad. Rick answered! Hilda came in with scrambled eggs, toast, pancakes and sausage! Ricks father replied with a smile on his face, Hilda, this doesn’t look like the hot cereal and grapefruit I usually have for breakfast! Is there something special going on here? Hilda smiled, leaned over and kissed Rick on the head, and as she walked out the door replied, Don’t know what you are talking about! They finished breakfast, Rick’s father left for the plant and before his mother went upstairs to get ready for the hospital, Rick kissed her on the cheek again saying. See you at the hospital mom! She smiled, squeezed his hands and went upstairs! Rick left the house headed for the garages!

Walter had the garage door open for him! Rick opened the Chevy door, got in and started her up! Walter was right, she purred like a kitten! Rick sat there a moment remembering the time he had to sneak out of the house and pick Becky up from a girlfriend’s party that his parents didn’t want her to go to! He smiled for a moment knowing that Becky was a lot more outgoing and a lot braver than he was when it came to not listening to mom and dad! He remembered how she was always laughing and full of life! She was the best cheerleader, and even though it was his sister, he had to admit she was the prettiest girl in school! He always got a kick out of how it would absolutely drive his dad crazy with all the different guys coming around to take Becky out! He wondered at that moment why she never took any of them seriously! He remembered the letters she sent saying she was dating someone new! He thought to himself, Guess the right one hasn’t showed up yet!

He pushed in the clutch, pulled her into low, accelerated, left out the clutch and burned rubber leaving the garage! Whoa! he murmured. It’s been awhile since I drove this baby! He looked in the rear view mirror as he headed down the driveway. He laughed to himself as he saw Walter standing outside the shed shaking his finger at him!

It was about a ten minute drive into Harmony! Not much changed along the highway since his last drive into town! He always bought his clothes at Carson’s Men Store in town, and that’s where he was going to stop first! As he entered the outskirts of town, a new Mall caught his eye! He pulled in, saw the big J.C. Penny’s, found a spot and parked! He walked around enjoying the openness of the store, and eventually found his way to the men’s department! He was just looking around when someone asked, Can I help you sir? No! I’m just looking around! He replied! As he turned around, he was caught by surprise and stammered, Mr. Carson! What are you doing here? I was just heading to your store to buy some clothes! Mr. Carson answered. I work here Mr. Bollinger! Since the Mall opened, I couldn’t compete with the prices, so closed the business! Everything I sold was from a clothing manufacturer in central Pennsylvania, but they couldn’t compete with foreign imports, and they shut down! You’ll find a lot of small businesses like mine couldn’t compete and closed in town over the last few years! Mr. Spinelli closed his shoe store this past year, and Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman closed their bakery also! Our little town is starting to look like a ghost town! I’m sorry to hear that Mr. Carson. And, by the way, I’ve always been Rick to you! Sorry Mr. Bollinger, but company policy is to call everyone Mister.! Mr. Carson answered! Well Mr. Carson, I need a few casual outfits, and I always relied on your judgment, so if it’s not against company policy, how about selecting me a few while I just look around the Mall! I’ll be back in a little while! It would be a pleasure Mr. Bollinger! Oh, heck! I mean Rick! And, he continued, I know you are partial to 100% cotton, but hardly anything we have here is cotton, and not of good quality if we have it! He laughed as he reached out his hand, shook Ricks and said, Welcome home Rick! And, I’m sorry to hear about Becky! It’s good to be back Mr. Carson, and thank you! he said, turning to survey the Mall! As Rick wandered thru the mall he wondered what else was closed in their small town! He wandered in and out of various stores picking up and looking at all the products made of plastic or manmade materials! Whatever happened to leather, silk, cotton, wool and metal he wondered to himself! He returned to pick up his clothing, and handed Mr. Carson his credit card. Mr. Carson replied with a smile as he took the card, Here you are Rick! Hope you like them! They were the best I could find! Well, I certainly know they would be a lot better than what I selected! Rick smiled and said. Mr. Carson checked Rick out, handed him his card back and exclaimed. Thanks Rick and have a nice day! You have one also! Rick replied, turned and left the store! After driving out of the Mall, Rick had to drive through town to get to the hospital. There were hardly any cars parked in the once small bustling town! There was Sam’s shoe store with a For Rent sign in the window. He could remember his mother taking him there since he was a toddler! He remembered having Sam put new heels and soles on his hunting boots! Over half the stores were closed! There was Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman’s bakery! It was an automatic stop for Rick’s father on the way to the plant every morning! Mrs. Hoffman had his two boxes of doughnuts boxed and waiting for him! Rick noticed the H had fallen off the sign above the entrance, and the once clean window filled with fresh homemade pastries of every kind was now cracked and dirty! On the corner was Mr. and Mrs. Stroh’s pharmacy! Rick pulled into one of the empty spaces in front of it! He got out of his car and walked over to the big front window! Cupping his hands, he peered through the now dirty window! Everything was the same! The booths along the right hand wall, the tables in the middle, and the ice cream counter on the opposite wall was still there! He could see the pharmacy counter in the back! His thoughts went back to high school days when after all the games, everyone gathered at Hoffman’s for shakes and ice cream! He remembered buying Sally Higgins, his first date, a banana split there after the movie! He instinctively turned and looked down the next block. Across the street was Mr. Witherspoon’s movie! The marquee had big black letters reading CLOSED"! He noticed Mr. Taylors Pool Hall next door to the movie was still open! He turned slowly, got into his car