Page 72 - 100 Hours to Destiny

SURPRISE FROM THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

2/24/1991 @ 0515 hours

Suddenly I became concerned where Gunny was, he was not in his
Commander's hatch. He had not climbed up the three rung metal ladder to
take his place. Quickly, I hit the pneumatic switch and popped my head over
the side of the vehicle to see Gunny standing in what was now dawn
breaking. “Gunny… you gonna share that sunrise or what?” Gunny looked at
me and smiled. “I know, I know… isn’t that just beautiful,” I said. And we just
laughed together. “We made this one. Let’s make it to the next one, and the
next one, and the next one,” I remembered the previous sunrise spent
together at the FARP, and now it was clear that we were counting sunrises.
“This party is not going to happen without you Gunns, so I invite you
to take your place. It’s the best seat in the house you know?”
“Gangway, Gunny coming up. Make way for a Marine.”
“Semper Fi Gunns. Let’s do this.”
And with that said, Gunny slid down into his hatch, grabbed his
comm helmet and put it on. I could hear him breathing into the mic as he
spoke the words, “Alright Witch, can you hear me on the comms?”
“Lima Charlie Gunns, I got ya.”
“I’ve got a surprise for you. And it’s going to happen mark time 30
seconds.”
Suddenly the XO from the LAV-C2, 1stLt Scott Williams came on the
net, “All Delta Marines prepare to go to war. Saddle up, put your comm
helmets on, man your battle stations. I have arranged through a special radio
frequency that is going to play in your headsets. President Bush is going to
speak to us, so standby. Listen up to the Commander in Chief. Shortly after
that, we will have Lee Greenwood sing one of our favorite tunes live… This is
for you Marines; the Commander in Chief is speaking directly to you….to
us…”
President George H.W. Bush was a great Commander in Chief…. The
WWII Navy Pilot was a fine Military leader because of his experience. Our
President had earned the distinguished flying cross, the air medal, the
presidential unit citation; and had served from 1942 – 1945. The fine thing
about Pres Bush was that he wanted to win, and we felt confident,
empowered, and emboldened by his prior actions and speeches directed at
the troops. Pres Bush had come and was present for the 1st Marine Division
and spoke to us personally months earlier.