Fringe Patriots
by
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Clay stood quietly with the others on the tar-mac as the army green bus pulled along side the plane, offering transportation for the final leg of their journey to Fort Knox, some thirty minutes away. He was looking forward to seeing his new home for the next eight weeks.
When they arrived, they were greeted by a cacophony of shouting and cursing.
"What’s the matter girls?" the Drill Sergeant screamed. "We’re not afraid of a little rain, are we?"
Robert was shaking, "This guy’s crazy. I think we’ve screwed up. This may have been a big mistake."
"Shut up!" Clay said, through clinched teeth, trying not to move his mouth. "You’re gonna get us in trouble, just listen."
"My name is Sergeant Scribner, and I’ll be your mommy for the next eight weeks. I’ll change your diapers and see to your every need. You may call me Sergeant Scribner, you may call me Sergeant, but do not call me Sir."
After an hour of standing in the pouring rain and enduring Sergeant Scribner’s screaming, barracks assignments were made.
The first two weeks of Basic Training were used for testing. It gave the sergeants the ability to categorize each individual. In every test, whether mental or physical, Clay was at the top of the class. Robert didn’t do badly either. By the end of the second week, Clay became a platoon leader as did Robert. There were four platoons in each barracks. Clay was platoon leader for the first platoon, and the third platoon belonged to Robert. Throughout the next six weeks, they were in constant competition with each other.
Knestric, one of Clay’s charges, came to his bunk late one evening. "The second platoon is going to throw you a blanket party. I thought you’d want to know."
Clay rose to his elbows. "When’s this gonna happen?"
"Tonight."
"Is the ‘Turk’ still in the latrine?" Clay asked.
"Yes, and he’s alone."
"Get some of the guys and watch the door. Don’t let anybody else go in until I have a talk with Mr. Turkey Rollins. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Clay. I’ll get Mitchell. Nobody messes with him."
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About the Book
After surviving a loveless and abusive childhood, Clay Smith thinks he has finally found acceptance and respect in the military as the driver and Aide de Camp to Colonel Essex, the Battalion Commander. However, tragedy strikes, leaving him vulnerable to the colonel’s own self-serving plans. The colonel vaults Clay into a world of intrigue and assassination. Out of patriotism and loyalty to Colonel Essex, Clay agrees to be a willing participant. But, after the first assassination, Clay finds himself questioning his decision as he stands heaving his guts out by the side of the road.
The Vietnam conflict is his next address, minus a month’s pay and two stripes. Clay is no longer the colonel’s darling, but a simple GI like thousands of others. The Purple Heart and a medical discharge only serve to once again usher Clay into Colonel Essex’, now General Essex’, world of fringe patriotism. Soon, Clay finds himself framed for murder; and, with the help of Johnny, Susan, and Gidget, the four somewhat eclectic comrades struggle to find out who the players are as the death toll continues to mount.
About the Author
Mr. Smith is an army veteran. He served during the Berlin Wall Crisis, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Vietnam War. The decade of the sixties was spent in government service, not a good time for that sort of thing. After putting that life behind him he has been a very successful hotelier, president of two corporations, CEO and founder of another. Alex Haley, the author of “Roots” encouraged the writing of this work more than ten years ago.