The platoon gathers in formation and roll call is announced. All are present. The first sergeant announces that the Commander, John P. Wilson, would like to see Bravo squad. Bravo squad, that's my guys, and we know what it is that he wants to see us about, at least we hope.

After formation we marched over to see the commander. The laughing and joking had all come to a stop as we approached his tent. Commander John P. Wilson was a well-decorated war hero, and his appearance was that of the war heroes we read about or watch on TV. He was about 6 foot 3 inches tall and his stature appeared to be chiseled from granite. We knew little about him other than he was a hard ass and loved to command in battle. "Bravo squad reporting as requested sir," I shouted out. "At ease soldier," he replied, as he shot his eyes at me like a ha

As I look down at his hand pushing the card against my chest, I can only think of how upset he is at me for letting my entire squad die in combat. I reach up to remove the card from his grasp and hear him whispering to me. "How did you feel? What went through your mind? Did you want it all to just go away?"

As I lay I start to think of other soldiers that have been in this situation. How did they feel; did they make it through their situation; were they as scared as I? No one wants to die. I started to think of my family. My will never be able to see me again; my son, who will raise him to be a man; my brother and sister, both younger than I; how will they take it? For some reason, I just keep thinking about how it must have been for other soldiers that went into battle for the United States of America, and never made it back to live in the land that they fought for. How did their loved ones feel? How did they feel? Were they as scared as I? Thoughts continue to cross my mind about the fate of those men who have gone before me, and then out of the cluttered race of thoughts come voices.

Ten minutes have passed and thoughts begin to race through my mind. What will happen if they find me; maybe they think they have us all; they might have moved on to look for others; did they get all of the other guys; was Mike the first one to go? Another ten minutes go by and I start to think of moving, but I can't bring myself to move. They have not found me yet and if I move, I might give away my position. I have decided to lay here on the side of this levy. The grass is tall enough that I think I'm well covered.

The card reads as follows, 1965, Vietnam, a group of 12 soldiers are led into battle. Only one came home after spending 14 months is a POW camp being integrated, tortured, starved, and emotional degraded, 1st LT John P. Wilson survived to return to freedom. Signed, General John P. Wilson.

It is 0530, and we are in formation together for the last time before our lives will change. I go over the plan one last time. We are to maneuver the seven miles, take up position on the east side levy and find a weak point. We are to wait until nightfall and then we will infiltrate the enemy. The plan is simple and we have been trained to accomplish this task, everyone knows his or her part. I ask if there are any questions. Nothing. I get nothing, but a bunch of worried looks.

The voices are not familiar to me; they must be of the enemy. They are talking about finding someone; it must be me they are looking for. The voices get louder and louder; they are making their way toward my position. I start to panic. Will they shoot me, will it hurt, or will I be tortured? Before I can make a move, shadows appear on the side of me. There are two of them and they are directly above me. Do they see me? Should I get up and run? Should I lie in my position and take the chance that they will not even notice me? I choose to remain plastered to the levy. They are coming down the levy. The shadows grow larger and larger. My time has come. I have been spotted.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Private Class, John Wilson, United America, United Army, , I'm I'm, Wilson Bravo, John Wilson's, United Military, john wilson, commander john wilson, commander john, base camp, card chest, Joseph Campbell, top levy, move position, bravo squad, light infantry weapons, 7 miles, ten minutes, enemy troops, 7 miles east,
Approximate Word count = 2582
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)