Free Loving An Airborne Ranger by Susan Leigh Carlton Page A

two weeks…Not coming home at all.  
    She dreaded calling Matt’s parents, more than she did calling hers but it had to be done.  Putting it off was not going to make it easier.
    She punched in the number for the Turners.  She let it ring ten times and decided they weren’t home.  She called her mother, who answered on the third ring.
    She took a deep breath and trying to maintain her self-control she began, “Mom, Matt was shot down and killed yesterday.”  There, she said it, admitted to herself her childhood sweetheart, her prom date, the father of her son and her husband would not be coming back. 
    Then she burst into tears, telling her mother between gulps of air, the notification team had just left and what the team had told her.  There may have been other details but she didn’t remember.  As with all mothers, hers began saying the comforting words they use when trying to soothe the pain of their hurting, loved one.
    Lisa said, “Mom, I tried to call the Turners but there was no answer.  Since I was next of kin, the Army won’t be notifying them.  Could you and Dad go over and tell them, and also tell them I will call them as soon as I get more details which will probably be coming later today or tomorrow?”
    Her mother answered by saying, “The Turners are probably at the store.  Dad and I’ll go over and tell them.  Lisa, we’ll be coming as soon as we can talk to the Turners.  Are you okay?  Do you have anyone with you?”
    “Mom, it has been less than an hour since I found out.  Matt’s boss’s wife is here and I’m sure there will be more as soon as the word gets out.  The Night Stalker’s Wives Association will be here.  You don’t need to rush.  It will be four days or so before any services.  Kyle and I’ll be okay.”
    “Nonsense.  You need your mother at a time like this.  We’ll be there.”
    “Okay Mom.  Thank you and I love you and dad so much.  Please be careful driving.  I don’t want anything happening to you.  Mom, the doorbell just rang.  I need to answer it.”
    Mrs. Laughner said, “I have the door, Lisa.  It’ll be some of our people, I’m sure.  I lit the tree.” 
    Authors note: The Night Stalker’s Wives have what they call a calling tree.  The squadron commander’s wife notified two people and each of them notified others.  Notification was efficient and rapid.
    The front door opened and a tall, broad shouldered man with a military haircut walked in and up to Lisa.  He took Lisa in his arms and said, “Lisa, I’m so sorry.  Matt was truly one of the good guys, and a good friend.  If there’s anything I can do, let me know.”
    “Thank you Chuck.   Mom and Dad will be here tomorrow, but I appreciate your coming over.”
    Chuck Carson had lived in the house next door, prior to Matt and Lisa moving into on Post Housing.  He was a member of a Rapid Response Group (RRG) attached to Matt’s squadron.  As an RRG team member, many of his missions involved parachute jumps into hot zones.  He and Matt had been on several missions together, though not in the same chopper since Matt flew in a two man Cobra, while the jumpers flew in Chinooks.  Matt had told Lisa Chuck was a warrior and was awarded a Purple Heart for wounds received along with a Bronze Star with two clusters for valor.
    His wife filed for divorce during his last deployment, saying she could no longer cope with the repeated separations and the stress of knowing her husband was in constant danger.  She said she needed a more settled life , so he returned to an empty house that was no longer a home.  He lost himself in his work, volunteering for one hazardous mission after another.  Lisa only saw him in passing after his divorce.
    He walked over to Mrs. Laughner and out of Lisa’s hearing asked if she had any details.  She said, “No, all I know is his Cobra was hit by an RPG and exploded outside Kabul.”
    “Please let me know if there is anything I can do.”
    “I