He led me inside to the office area, where he parked me at a table. He played peek-a-boo with my son while I signed off on an interminable pile of paperwork that a Spec 4 clerk put in front of me. They didn't want me around anymore, but they sure seemed to take their time getting rid of me! Eventually I was done, and the colonel took over again. "Follow me. The colonel wanted to give this to you, but he's tied up elsewhere."
We followed Colonel Featherstone down a hallway towards the ready hangar for the 1st Battalion, but didn't go in. Instead, he sent the Spec 4 in, and then two minutes later, he held the door open, and motioned for me to go in first, to be followed by Marilyn and our baby. He came in last.
"ATTEN-HUT!", barked out from a loud baritone to the side of the bay. I stood there in disbelief as the entire battalion, almost a thousand soldiers, standing in ordered ranks and rows, came to attention. There was a small temporary stage at this end of the bay, with flags on it and a small podium.
I was roused by a tap on my shoulder. I whipped my head around to find Featherstone smiling at me. He pointed towards the stage and said, "March! And try to think up something brief to say."
Thank Jesus I had spent the last four years (and a chunk of the four before that!) under military discipline, since I was moving on muscle memory and nothing else. I marched to the stage and went up the side steps, to find Colonel Longworth, the commander of the 505th, and Lieutenant Colonel Small, the new commander of the First Battalion. There was a small X marked in masking tape on the floor of the stage. Lieutenant Colonel Small stopped me when I reached the X and whispered to me to stop and face towards the battalion. As I hit my mark, the loud voice, which I now recognized as belonging to the battalion sergeant major, barked out, "PUH-RADE ... REST!" The battalion snapped into the position of parade rest.
From where I was standing I could see the battalion standing at attention. I think the brigade was on support cycle, but I wasn't sure. Since I was on medical leave, I hadn't been following the cycle. Everybody was in fatigues, except for a few of the officers, like Longworth and Small. Standing in the front rows, in the center, were some faces I recognized, 3rd Platoon, Company C, including one man in civvies, but still standing at attention. There were also a small number of civilians on the side.
I turned my attention from outward to the stage, as Colonel Longworth went to the podium. "All of us here know why Captain Buckman is being honored today. We also all know why we can't state that reason or discuss it. Captain Buckman, please step forward."
At that point the adjutant loudly stated, "Attention to orders!"
I took two steps forward, to another X on the stage, and came to attention (not that I hadn't been before.) Colonel Longworth opened a small folder on the podium and read:
"For courageous and meritorious service while assigned to elements of the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. During training operations while attached to Company C, 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Captain Buckman took command and led his unit with courage and merit. His actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the service, and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82nd Airborne Division, and the United States Army."
The colonel then opened a small jewelry case and pulled out the Bronze Star. It was the actual medal, a five pointed bronze star hanging from a red ribbon with blue and silver vertical stripes. I knew that inside the jewelry box was the ribbon device, a matching ribbon used when the medal wasn't worn, and a miniature version of the medal to wear on the mess dress uniform. The colonel pinned the medal on my chest while a photographer took photos. Then he stood back and saluted me, and I could see through suddenly watery eyes the rest of the room snapping to attention and saluting as well.
I returned the salute. He dropped his arm and then said, "Captain, you may say something if you wish."
"Stay right there, please.", I whispered. I sidled behind him, so that he was blocking the sight lines, and pulled out my handkerchief and wiped my eyes quickly. Then I nodded and whispered, "Thank you." Colonel Longworth smiled at me and stepped aside, nodding.
I stepped to the podium. I looked out at the sea of green, and realized I would never again be part of something like this. "I'll keep this brief. We are all members of the finest division in the entire United States Army. The 82nd Airborne is respected by our nation's friends, and feared by her enemies. You men are the reason for both that respect and that fear. Thank you for allowing me to serve with you. It has been an honor and a privilege. Thank you." I stepped back from the podium and fought to keep my eyes dry again.
Lieutenant Colonel Small stepped forward carrying something small in his hand. He went to the podium and said, "Captain, I know you're part of the 319th. From now on, this patch says you're part of the 505th." He held up a unit patch with four bendlets surmounted by a winged black panther and handed it to me, and the room erupted in cheers. I took the patch and held it upright, and then shook his hand.
I almost missed the sergeant major dismissing the parade. The colonels had me stick around for photos, and Marilyn and Charlie got in on it as well. Then I was cut loose and got off the stage. I was instantly surrounded by the men I had jumped into Nicaragua with. I also found myself with a few wives as well, although most of the men were single. The one I remember the most was Sergeant Briscoe's (now Master Sergeant Briscoe's) wife, who kissed me on the cheek and thanked me for bringing her husband back.
The civilian who had been standing with the men turned out to be Private Smith, now dressed in khakis and a dress shirt, and supporting himself on crutches. "I told you we all jumped in and we'd all get out, Private.", I said to him.
He smiled and nodded. "I hear you're getting out, too."
"As soon as I leave here, I'm history. How's the leg?"
"Held together by three pins and a titanium plate, but otherwise okay.", he answered with a laugh.
"Maybe you should have let me cut it off and stick that peg leg on you after all!"
He reached out and shook my hand. "Thank you, sir."
A much sadder moment was when I was introduced to an older man, about sixty years old, who had been standing to the side. Lieutenant Colonel Small brought him over, and said, "Captain, I'd like to introduce you to Colonel John Donovan. He was Captain Donovan's father."
I turned to face the father of the man I had jumped into Nicaragua with. He was wearing a civilian suit, but it didn't matter. I came to attention and saluted. "I'm very sorry for your loss, sir. I got to know Bob in Honduras and he was a good man and an excellent officer."
"Thank you, Captain, for bringing him home to us."
"If it had been the other way around, sir, he'd have returned the favor.", I replied. "Sir, is Mrs. Donovan here? I should pay my respects."
He shook his head. "Eleanor took the girls home to Kansas."
"Well, please give her my condolences when you see her next."
"I'll do that, son. I just wanted to say thank you for bringing him home."
I nodded. "We all went in, sir, we all came out. Bob believed in that just like the rest of us."