Page 51 - 100 Hours to Destiny

possible. Who knows how long this is going to last; And be prepared to be
awake for days on end. Let’s do this for each other and our families. Let’s go
home together Gents. Let’s bring home a win. Everybody comes back…. Zero
casualties. And remember one thing, I am going to be the one in front, I’m
going to see it and I’m going to keep everybody safe. Listen to my commands
and react, and we’ll all come out of this Okay.”
The Company 1Sgt Alfonso Villa was leaning against American Hero
no more than 20 feet away from Captain Pollard with his arms folded
listening to the Captain. In a way just listening to the period of instruction
when suddenly the Captain moved his hands in a gesture like “OK we’re
done here”. I just so happened to be watching the 1Sgt when he came back
to the reality of the moment, the two men chuckled at each other and the
1Sgt went into action to take control of the Platoons present and give the
Captain a well-deserved break. The 1Sgt now stepped into the middle of the
makeshift model and reiterated how important it was for all of Delta
Company to gear up, as this is absolutely the countdown to go-time.
“Let’s just disperse,” ordered the 1Sgt, “no need to hold a formal
dismissal here. Let’s get back to our points of duty and carry out the plan of
the day as ordered. Platoon Commanders on me,” was the last statement
before Marines began to move back to their points of duty.
I looked at Stuck, “what do ya think brother? This is it! We are going
in.”
“There’s no doubt, by midnight we will be forming up for the big
push north. Good luck Monte, let’s look out for each other, let’s just take it
one minute at a time here today.”
“Roger that brother, I can do that!”
As I turned away from this interaction and began to make my way
back over to my logistics vehicle, my heart started pounding. I chose to let no
one see…. I was extremely excited, as I knew after this time, with all we’d
been through, that it all came down to the reality of this moment, a time
when we would go head to head with an enemy of unknown potential.