Oh. You again?

August

Well people, August had to be one of my sad months of the year. My friend from the 1-184 INF in Modesto, Ca died in Afghanistan and pretty much broke my heart. I had to go to Annual Training for 2 weeks at Camp Roberts, Ca and I was pissed because I was going to be missing my friends funeral. Naturally, I slowly put off his death in my mind when I was staying busy with the chores and task I was assigned to while going to Camp Roberts. One day as we were all bedding down I heard a Sergeant coming up to ask for soldiers to attend a detail that would be at a funeral for someone. I thought it was for someone else so I quicky tried to act asleep but than I heard that it was for someone with a last name that started with a ‘P’.

I immediately sat up in my bunk and yelled, “Pleitez??” They said, “Yeah, that’s him!”

And I immediately volunteered to go. What were the chances that I would be picked for this? Has God answered my prayers and set this last meeting up between us? I don’t know, but I was grateful.

The 2 days I was there at the funeral was my saddest. I became depressed and emotionless towards the other soldiers in my unit afterwards. During the funeral itself, I became heavy in tears when Ben’s casket began moving to the outside after the service. I couldn’t believe it and it was such a shock to realize that he was gone and we were forced to move on. At the least, I was glad that I was able to give my last and final salute to him. I loved the guy and he was the greatest person I could’ve met in that unit.

I went through my training like a zombie but slowly began talking to the others. I just couldn’t talk to anyone because I became emotional when I did if it was about Pleitez. Now, I’m here in Stockton and preparing to start another chapter in my life again. I’m moving to Oregon and finishing my school there. I hope to find a purpose while I’m there and no matter what happens, I’ll be back in California in the end.

Whether it be dead or alive.