Fall
1966. We were in our last two weeks of pilot training and barring any
major screw ups on our part, we had completed the nearly year long
Army helicopter pilot training program. We would get our wings and
soon be declared “officers and gentlemen.”
As
part of these last weeks' training was an Escape and Evasion
scenario. We knew it was coming and I, for one, was looking forward
to the exercise. It officially marked our last major exercise as a
flight class.
We
were to be bused to an obscure site on large acreage for this
exercise. Map reading, escaping and evading a cadre of instructors
following us and using as much of what we had been taught, in a real
world exercise.
We
awoke early on “the day” and were kept busy. No time for anything
but training. No breakfast and no lunch and no opportunity to go the
PX and put a few candy bars in our pockets.
The
call came to pack our gear and board the bus. We had all the
(minimal) basics. This was mirrored after a real time E&E - just
go with what is on your back.
The
bus dropped us off after nearly an hour of driving. Pulled off a back
road in the woods surrounded by hills and valleys. We all had our
given responsibilities. Point man, security, navigation and a time
line to adhere to. We were to make it to point “X” on the map w/o
being captured by 08:00 the next morning, or be lost to the enemy
forever. We were motivated!
Last
problem to solve. How to feed a dozen hungry men that night when camp
was set? Our last “gift” from the departing bus was an onion, two
large potatoes, celery and carrots and a live chicken. The vegetables
were given to various members for safe keeping and the chicken was
given to Mike, a close friend. His instructions were to take care of
the chicken and keep it quiet. We were being followed after all. Mike
tucked the chicken between his Army coat and vest so that only the
chicken's head could be seen. Off we went.
I
remember we worked well as a team that exercise. Strict adherence to
the jobs associated with the mission at hand. We applied much of what
we had been taught with success.
Night
fell and we climbed to high ground. Set up camp, posted guards and
were assigned our rotating shifts. We were all hungry and knew that
chicken soup was as good as it was going to get. Vegetables were
prepared and all looked to Mike to prepare the chicken. He could
not!! He had bonded with the chicken. The chicken had become a team
player having kept quiet. Mike had done his job too keeping the
chicken warm and comfortable. I remember looking back a few times
during the days march to see Mike with the chicken head peaking out
of the front of his jacket. Seemed odd and out of place. But all of
this mirrored what we might be able to pick up on a cross country
escape route.
I
think we were privy to Mikes plight. We understood but the good of
the order prevailed and another team member took the chicken Mike
offered up. Said chicken was quickly dispatched. My heart still sinks
at that brief moment of chicken turning circles in the air and Mike
walking away. It was what it was; nothing more, nothing less.
Several
hours later our canteen cups were filled with thin chicken broth, a
chunk of chicken and a vegetable or two. The chicken did indeed feed
all of us except for Mike. He could not bring himself to the table.
And
that was it. We made it to our rendezvous point and were checked off
as having passed the E&E course. Covered in hours and miles of
Alabama hills, we were bused back to base.
Two
weeks later with wings on our chests and bars on our shoulders, we
headed home before going to Vietnam. Mike lived in Denver and I in
the Pacific North West. Mike was driving a Jaguar and I a 1963 red
Corvette. I do not remember beyond this story having talked with Mike
about that moment but if I still remember it, I am sure that he does
too.
