WEDDING BELLS
The old sergeant was in his make shift office when someone knocked on his door. “Come if you just have too,” he growled.
The Padre walked in and the sergeant stood up to shake hands. “Padre! Good to see you. Have a seat and tell me what I can do for you.”
The Padre sat in the only wobbly chair in the office. “Uh, Pappy. As you know Judy has been with Dog every since she ran away from that Colonel.”
Pappy raised his hand. “Yes, Padre. And you and I know that we could be in a world of hurt if anyone ever found out we have her.”
“Well. Be that as it may, Pappy, the men---and I must agree with them on this point--- uh---well, they want to hold a marriage ceremony for Judy and Dog.”
Pappy just stared at the Padre. After a minute the old sergeant shook his head and said, “Padre, you are getting as crazy as the rest of this platoon. Do you really want to marry a couple of dogs?”
“Well now, Pappy, look at it this way. You know how the platoon feels about our animals. It would be good for morale and give the men something to do.”
The old sergeant just slumped down in his chair, pulled out a Zippo and lit a cigar. He also poured himself a very generous portion of Jack. “Padre, you know we can’t keep treating Dog and Judy like they were human. And what will the LT and the CO say about all this? All I can see coming from this is trouble. If that Colonel ever finds out that his 'Judy' just didn’t run off there will be hell to pay.”
“Pappy, you know that Judy has changed a lot since she has been here. She even looks different. She has filled out, her personality has gotten a LOT better and she is part of our family now. I don’t think that Colonel would even recognize her. Especially after we, uh, changed her serial number.”
Pappy just sighed. “Ok, Padre. But I will let you and the men handle this one. I think you all are out of your minds.”
Two days later was the big day. The compound was buzzing with activity and friends were coming in from all over Iraq. It was unbelievable. Cowboy even flew in for the ceremony. There had to be over a hundred people attending and Pappy even noticed the Lt. and the CO in the back of the crowd. And if looked like the general way off to the side.
Dog and Judy were well aware that something special was going on and they let the men give them a bath. Judy even consented to a pink bow in her hair. As the time approached everyone gathered in the center of the compound and the ceremony started.
The Padre was in the center with Dog and the sergeant. Judy was escorted down the “aisle” by Cowboy until the animals were sitting side by side.
The Padre started:
"Who presents this, uh, female to be married to this male?"
Cowboy said, “I present this female.”
The Padre continued:
"Do you, Dog, take Judy to be your lawful wedded, uh, mate?
Dog growled deep in his chest.
"Will you love, respect and honor her throughout your years together?"
Another low growl by dog.
“Do you, Judy, take dog to be your lawful wedded mate?"
A bark from Judy that resounded off the walls of the compound buildings.
“Uh, ok. Will you love, respect and honor dog throughout your years together?"
Another bark.
"Do you both mutually promise in the presence of your friends and, uh, pack that you will at all times and in all circumstances conduct yourselves toward one another as becomes mates?"
A growl and a bark.
"Do you mutually promise you will love, cherish and respect one another throughout the years?"
Another growl and bark.
“Sergeant. Cowboy. The rings please. I mean the dog tags.”
“With the exchange of dog tags you are showing the world your mutual love and caring for one another. So: "By the authority vested in me by God and the United States Army, witnessed by your friends and pack members, I have the pleasure to pronounce you husband and wife."
"Dog you may now kiss the bride.”
Dog just growled again.
Padre concluded:
"And now Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the pleasure of presenting to you Dog
and Judy, husband and wife."
As the celebration started, Pappy slowly walked back to his office. He was
seriously thinking of calling the shrink from the Green Zone and seeing if he
could get a group session going.
He finally decided against it. Two weeks with this platoon and the shrink would be counseling the animals.
By:
Steven J. Newton
Copyright 2006
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Why don't you toss a coin or two this way to help honor our wounded?
We'll buy some banners and give to 'em--- so they know we ain't forgot what
they did for us.
Thank ya---
Pappy
All content property of Steven J. Newton and
The Silver Star Families of America Copyright 2005-2007
