Free Soldier Up by Unknown Page A

here?” asked the Major.
                  “Well I needed to get some toothpaste, laundry detergent, and some food.”
                  Major Clayton shaking his head, “No, no why are you here in Hayward?”
                  “Yeah I know I was just screwing with you.” The Sergeant Major laughed. “I’m no longer with you know who, so I took an advising position with 19 th SF Group out of Los Alamitos, they’re a National Guard outfit but I’m fulltime.  We’re starting a detachment up at Camp Parks and I’m working out all the logistics, the building of it and so forth.  Hey! We’re looking for a Detachment Commander; it can be an O-4, interested?”             
                  Mel watched John when the Sergeant Major offered him the job, she saw something in his eyes she had never seen before, it was hard to describe, what she saw was a Warrior.
                  “Nah, I’m sorry I can’t just too much to do.” the Major replied.
                  “C’mon man it’s only part-time for crying out loud, you know one weekend a month, two weeks a year that sort of crap.”
                  “I’m sorry I can’t.”
                  “Well look, if you change your mind let me know, here’s my card.  In fact just give me a call anytime so we can at least get together and talk about old times.”
                  “Yeah, now that I can do.” John was excited about talking to his old friend.  Mel thought it was good to see.
                  Sergeant Major Dognillo knew it was going to be an interesting conversation between husband and wife on the drive home. 

Chapter Thirteen
     
    The first part of the drive was very quiet, John didn’t really know what to say, Mel on the other hand thought it best to let him bring it up.  “How long have you known? Asked John.
                  “I found out right before Kai was born.”
                  “What, that was almost two years ago and you never said anything, why?”
                  “Well I thought that if you really wanted me to know you would have told me.”
                  “Ok, how did you find out?” John was puzzled.
                  Mel took a deep breath, she didn’t know how he was going to respond to her snooping around in his stuff.  “I want you to remember I’m the mother of your children.” She was looking at him all puppy eyes and all.  “Remember right before Kai was born I had that month off and what I was doing to kill time until he was born?”
                  “Yeah I remember, you were doing all that scrap booking stuff, sort of nesting I always thought.”
                  “And where was all the scrap booking stuff kept?” she looked so innocent.
                  “Yeah in the garage.” John was thinking. “Ohhhhh…yeah..did I leave it open?”
                  “Yes I found it open and I’m so sorry I couldn’t help myself I had to know.”
                  John laughed lightly, “Well we’re still married so?”
                  “Yes and having another baby any day now.  I looked through it all, I didn’t understand everything, and especially the document marked DD-214.  I read all of the awards and medals, very impressive.” She took a deep breath, “I made a copy of the DD-214.”
                  “You did what?” now John was concerned.
                  “Well I didn’t know what it all meant and I didn’t want you to find out I was in the foot locker.”
                  She could tell John was not happy about this part but she continued, “I took the copy down to the range and had a couple of the old Army guys look it over and explain it to me.”
                  John thought, “Could the day