Forty Three Years Ago

October 4, 1969

Dawn creeps in through the canopy of trees and vines somewhere deep in the jungle in this place called Viet Nam.

The crackle of radio traffic interrupts the singing of the birds and the screeching of the monkeys.

“Red Queen, Red Queen this is White Rabbit. Over”

“White Rabbit this is Red Queen. Over.”

“Red Queen be advised Ell Tee (Lt.) Jefferson he has urgent traffic this location.

“White Rabbit this is Ell Tee. Over.

“Ell Tee this is Major Slick. You and your men are to leave your present position and move approximately 10,000 klicks (kilometers) south by west ASAP. You will then wait there for further orders UNODIR (Until Otherwise Directed). Do you copy?

“Major Slick this is Ell Tee. Roger, I confirm 10,000 klicks south by west. We are moving out.”

Several hours of radio silence ensures …

“Red Queen, Red Queen this is White Rabbit, over.”

(Only static on the radio.)

“Red Queen, Red Queen this is White Rabbit, over.”

(More silence .. more static)

“White Rabbit this is Doormouse, over.”

“This is White Rabbit, Doormouse, go ahead.”

“White Rabbit this is Doormouse be advised that Red Queen and his whole platoon were ambushed by Charlie. Everybody is gone, even El Tee bought the farm. I repeat, Red Queen was ambushed by Charlie and they all went west (been killed.)

“Doormouse this is White Rabbit .. "Ten Four.”

© Tim D. Culey October 4, 2012, 10-4.