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FanFic
The Richard Dawson Experience
Last UpDated: 10 August 2001.
Site Copyright © 2000-2001. Lisa Inc., All Rights Reserved.
Story Copyright © 2001. Rhonda "StuntChick36" Inc., All Rights Reserved.
HOGAN'S HEROES
"V-E DAY"
It's a peaceful spring morning in Paris. There are children playing in the shaded courtyard downstairs. A barely audible conversation can be heard coming from an apartment across the way. Louis LeBeau, a former prisoner of war, returns home after a day of parades and celebration to commemorate the end of World War II. He walks over to a rather large bookshelf, looking for something in particular. Then he finds it. He pulls out a large photo album and a couple of boxes. He carefully blows the dust off of the items, then brings them over to the table in his study. He turns on the lamp and sits down, pawing nostalgically through the contents of the boxes. Pulling out his red beret, he smiles. It's faded with wear. Several years after Germany's surrender, he continued to wear it as a reminder to all who saw him that he was in the Resistance, not to mention a reminder to himself. LeBeau sets the hat aside and picks up a velvet medal case. His French Croix de Guerre, which he received upon his return to France, sits in its case like a guard forever faithful to his post. He picks up the heavy photo album and opens it. Inside are pictures of people smiling back at him in black and white, from a time not to far removed from the present. There is a photo of him with his Resistance unit before his capture, enjoying themselves at a cafe. Next to this is a snapshot of Louis and his family before the war. As he turns the page, the smile slowly fades from his face. The pictures on the next few pages bring tears of joy and pain. He carefully removes the photo at the top. It's a picture of himself and his barrack mates, taken after they were rescued from Germany. His thumb cautiously rubs over every face in the photo in a silent hello. Noticing the tears trickling down his cheeks, we wipes them. He sets down the photo and picks up a yellow legal pad. He begins to write down his experiences at Stalag 13.
"If I remember this right," he begins, "it was May 1944. Rumors had been flying throughout the Underground for months about a possible Allied invasion of Europe. The prisoners couldn't help but get a little excited. Could it be true? Is the end really this close? When am I going home? Everyone was told the same thing. Soon. Very soon. The truth was there was to be an Allied invasion of Europe, scheduled for the 6th of June that same year. The Underground radios were flooded with questions from their contacts about this invasion. But HQ wasn't talking. If they were told the truth, the whole Underground operation would have disintegrated and the Allied victory would have been compromised. It wasn't until April of 1945 that we saw any sign of Allied ground units near our prison camp...."
This is where the story morphs into a vivid flashback.
Colonel Hogan and his men were alerted that the area around Stalag 13 would be quickly occupied by American ground troops. This was supposed to happen two days after they received the transmission. They were to make sure all the prisoners were notified of the invasion, but to carry on as normal. The Germans must be taken by surprise.
Just like they were promised, the Allies swiftly surrounded Stalag 13. The sounds of tanks and heavy artillery can be heard over the happy shouts of the prisoners. Never had the movement of war machines and marching feet sounded so comforting. The German guards try their hardest to quell any thoughts of letting the Allied force inside the gates, but they are quickly overpowered. One guard from a watchtower opens fire on the crowded compound below. Many of POW's scatter and hide behind whatever they can, while the more stubborn ones continue their hand to hand fighting with the guards.
Hogan, LeBeau, Carter and the others carefully file outside to see the chaotic scene.
"We gotta hurry. Kinch, Freddie...find Klink and get him to our barracks, now!"
They bolt off to the kommandant's office. Klink is in his office trying to raise help on the telephone. Schultz stands nervously by his commanding officer's desk.
"The lines are dead," said Klink.
Schultz, always a worrier, is concerned. "What do we do now?"
Before Klink can answer, Kinch and Freddie bust in. "Kommandant, come with us," ordered Kinchloe, as he grabs Klink from his chair. Klink is alarmed.
"What? Where are you taking me?"
Freddie grabs Schultz by the arm. "Come on, Schultz. You, too. Mach schnell! ("hurry up!")"
Both men are rushed out of the door so fast that Klink has no time to grab his coat and hat. The group emerges from Klink's office. Both Klink and Schultz aren't sure what is about to happen to them, but they almost look certain that it's death. Once inside Hogan's barracks, Klink tries to regain his command.
"Hogan, I demand to know what is going on! Do you have any idea that you are kidnapping an officer-"
Hogan is not interested in Klink's orders. "Shut up, Klink. If you haven't realized, you're not in charge anymore. And we're not kidnapping you. We're saving your life!"
Hogan's men look at each other like he's lost his mind. LeBeau pipes up.
"Saving his life? Are you crazy?"
Hogan is making the biggest gamble of his life, but he's dead sure it will pay off. He tries to calm his crew with an explanation.
"Maybe. Look, the Allies are right outside the gates. Everyone knows what'll happen to Klink if he's caught."
The thought of being caught by an Allied patrol and facing a possible death sentence made Klink's stomach turn upside down.
"Don't remind me...please."
Newkirk is visibly confused. He speaks for the group. "So what are you plannin' to do, sir? You're not goin'-"
Hogan says nothing as he goes over to the bunk-bed and hits the hatch button. Klink and Schultz stand there watching in amazement as the bed lifts, revealing the tunnel underneath. He motions for them to go down the ladder. The Heroes are speechless.
Newkirk leans into Freddie, "How do ya like that. He's bloody flipped!"
"Come on. Let's go. Down the hole," orders Hogan.
They still stand speechless. Freddie protests as she steps in between Klink and the tunnel entrance.
"What the hell are you doin', Colonel?"
Hogan defends his actions. "Look. I know this looks a little crazy. But trust me. In all the time we spent here, at no time did Klink or Schultz ever treat us unfairly. I'm not gonna let them die. They don't deserve a fate like that. They've been too good to us."
His crew just stands in stunned silence. Hogan motions Klink and Schultz down the hatch again. Once they've entered the tunnel, Klink is in complete awe of his surroundings.
"You DID dig a tunnel! Ah ha! I knew it," said Klink, still amazed. "I don't believe it. Right under my nose."
Hogan briefs Klink and Schultz on their escape. "Listen closely. I'm only gonna say this once. We're going back topside to talk with our guys. You two stay put and do not make a sound. And don't touch anything. Or I'll kill you."
Hogan takes his troops and heads back upstairs. Once outside, Hogan is approached by a rough looking, cigar-chomping soldier. He looks like he's the leader of the invasion force.
"Who's the senior officer?" he barked. "You?"
"That's right. Colonel Hogan, US Army Air Corps."
"Liutenant McCluskey, US Army, 2nd armored division. We've rounded up most of the Krauts. Only ones we didn't get put up a struggle and were shot. We're missing the camp commandant. Seen him around?"
Hogan sends the liutenant down the wrong road. "He took off as soon as he heard you coming. His office is empty. No trace of him."
"Damn. Cut out early, eh? I was hoping to bring an officer back to HQ. Oh, well. (changing the subject) We've set up a small security force around the perimeter here while we liberate the next stalag. We'll have a unit along soon to transport all of you back for a debriefing at the field command post, then they'll send you home from there."
"Thank you, Liutenant."
They salute one another, then McCluskey leaves. Hogan motions for his crew to head back to the barracks. Once they return, they go back down into the tunnel. Klink and Schultz are sitting exactly where they were when Hogan left them. They both look like a couple scared rabbits trapped in a kitchen. Schultz removes his helmet and rubs his head. Klink has since loosened his necktie and relaxed a bit.
Hogan sees that they are still scared. "Would you two relax? No one knows you're here. You're safe."
Klink is royally confused. "I don't understand, Hogan. I mean... we are enemies. You are obviously the victors, and can do what you will to us. Why are you being so... civil?"
Freddie wants to know the same thing. Why should Hogan be so nice to men who belong to the same organization that killed her mother? "That's what I'd like to know."
Hogan plays the peacemaker again. "Let me tell you something, Kommandant...er, Colonel. Yeah, our countries are at war. But nowhere in the rules does it say that we have to treat one another like animals."
This sets off Freddie's fuse. "Oh, shove off, Colonel. Really..."
"Cool it, Freddie," barked Hogan.
She can suppress herself no more. "Now wait just a damn minute. You're nuts, Colonel. There are no rules of war! Only few winners and a lot of dead losers. We're stuck in these overcrowded "camping resorts", while the German prisoners in America are bein' treated like kings. If any of them had any sense, they'd stay there and never return!"
Now she turns her attention to Klink. She gives him hell because Hitler isn't there.
"And as for you, Klink... I'm disgusted with you. How dare you let a lunatic run the Fatherland with poisoned judgment. You are not German. A German would have enough sense and courage to stand up to him. Not cater to such a madman. When I was a child, the Brownshirts would ride through my neighborhood in Munich and shout "Deutchland, erwacht!" ("Germany, awake!") Well, it's awake. I'm awake...and I am the new Germany."
She charges towards Klink, but is stopped by Kinchloe. Klink sits in silence, with his head hung low. He knows that he has been defeated. Schultz looks a little frightened because of what she said, but he's confused. He knows of her German background, but nothing of her past. After she cools down a bit, she addresses Klink once again.
"You are only one man, Colonel. I do not place the blame solely on you. I hate all Germans for what they've let themselves become."
"I don't understand," queried Schultz. "Why do you hate us so much?"
"Her mother was a member of the Socialist party," said Klink, "but she was murdered by the Gestapo."
Schultz looks surprised, then sad. "I...am sorry, fraulein. I didn't know."
Hogan tries to calm things down. "It's alright, Schultz."
Freddie is still seething. "No, it's not alright. Schultz...there's a lot of things... horrible things that the Nazis have done that even members of the High Command don't know about. It'd make your head spin."
The mood is somber, but only for a moment. Hogan moves on with his new "mission."
"Ok. Kinch, notify London that we have taken our commandant hostage, along with the sergeant of the guard. They'll be fleeing to England until the war is officially over, then they will return to Germany. Arrange for a drop-off and pickup right away."
Kinchloe acknowledges. "Right, Colonel." He runs to his radio to make the transmission. As he does, Klink protests Hogan's help.
"Wait, Hogan. As an officer in the German army, I accept any and all responsibilities...or consequences that come with my title."
Hogan will hear none of it.
"You're going to England. And that's final. I never thought you were a bad guy, Klink. Then again, I never thought much of you as an officer, but I don't want to see anything bad happen to either of you."
Kinchloe returns from the other room. He doesn't look happy. "Bad news, Colonel. They've evacuated all Underground units in the area from an impending Allied bombing. We're the only outfit left."
Carter questions the message. "So what does that mean?"
"It means we'll have to move them out ourselves," he sighs. "Well...we better get moving."
Klink is intrigued. "You mean...you'll take us to England?"
"Maybe not all the way," says Hogan, "but we'll get you as far as we can. Then another Underground unit will take it from there."
Freddie shakes her head in disbelief. She can't believe she has to help a couple of Nazis escape from the good guys and their own army.
Klink and Schultz look at one another in amazement. They still don't understand why a group of Allied POW's would really want to help them. The Americans and the Brits don't think twice about helping someone in trouble. What Hogan and the others don't understand is that the Germans are a proud people. And in time of war, they expect to be loved by their countrymen, and hated by their enemies. Their role in this war was that of the evil nation; despised, hated, jeered. Being helped by those whom they had captured doesn't make sense to them.
Later that night, after everyone has had their fill of rations seized from Klink's private food locker, Hogan briefs his crew on their new mission.
"Ok. This is the plan. We are all going to travel together, no splitting up. Klink, Schultz, and Freddie can all speak fluent German. They will be the only ones allowed to answer if we're stopped by a German unit. I'll do the talking if we're stopped by an Allied patrol. Got it?"
Everyone nods in agreement.
"Ok. Take only what you know you will need. Never mind your shaving kits and stuff like that. Just the essentials. I suggest grabbing a few blankets. We'll be camping outdoors for a while. We'll move out at 2200 hours. Let's go."
The unit springs into action with the same drive and determination they had when they operated in secret. This would be their ultimate test of skills: to try and elude not only the remaining German troops, but their own troops as well.
Each member of the team has their own task to do. Carter and Freddie, for instance, collected several blankets from the barracks and some twine from the tool shed to make bedrolls. Newkirk made a few kerosene lamps from parts that he had taken from the motor-pool. Kinchloe made sure that all the radios were in working order. Hogan and LeBeau retrieved a few guns and traveling papers from the dead guards in the compound. Klink and Schultz could do nothing except stay out of sight.
After several hours of preparation, their escape plan was ready to be put into effect. Klink and Schultz scrapped their Luftwaffe uniforms for plain civilian clothing. The group reassembles in the emergency tunnel to get their final instructions.
"Alright. Good work, everyone. A little over an hour. Not bad. This is it. Probably the most important mission we've had. Everyone remember what I said earlier?"
The group agrees. Everybody looks very confident, even Schultz and Klink.
Hogan continues, "Alright then. As soon as you hop out of the stump, and when the coast is clear, head straight across the road and wait in the brush. Ok. Let's move out."
Each member grabs their makeshift gear and follows Hogan up and out of the tunnel and into the woods. Once they have all made it clear of the camp, they regroup in a small grove of trees about 200 yards outside the camp gates. Hogan pulls out a map and begins to study it.
"Probably the best thing to do is to stay clear of the larger towns. We better stick to the unbeaten paths for safety," he concludes.
He puts the map away and looks around him. Klink offers some help. "Hogan, if I may. I have a suggestion. We should head in this direction."
He points over the hills to the west. Hogan agrees. "Ok. Let's go."
Hogan and Klink lead the way. The group tightens up its group formation with military precision. This will help keep everyone moving at the same pace and provides extra security.
Each member of this "expedition" team knows that there will be little time for rest. If they are to keep ahead of the Nazis and the Allies, they must be on the move almost constantly.
They move across an open field with few worries. No friends or foes within miles. Almost doesn't seem possible.
At one time, this field wasn't as desolate. The foundation of a house and a barn stand in ruins. Hogan and Klink decide to stop and use the shelter for awhile. They have been on the move for three solid hours.
The unit seems upbeat despite the long journey ahead. Schultz is the only one grumbling. "Gott sei Dank. ("Thank God.") My feet are killing me."
He sits on a slab of concrete and massages his feet through his boots. Klink is a little agitated because he's exceptionally nervous. "Would you shut up, Schultz? Nobody cares."
Schultz becomes apologetic. "Sorry, herr kommandant."
Klink snaps again. "And don't call me 'kommandant.' I am not an officer anymore."
The rest of the group sits in silence, trying to relax before they begin their march again. Newkirk sits down along side Freddie, casually putting his arm around her.
"How you holdin' up, love?"
She sighs with exhaustion. "I'm fine, I guess. Reminds me of the first time I fled Germany."
Newkirk smiles as he helps keep her morale high. "Yeah. But this time you're not bein' chased. You're doin' the chasin'."
Klink makes another suggestion to Hogan. "Hogan...I think we should stay here and rest tonight. We can get an early start tomorrow."
He agrees. "Good idea. Alright, scouts. Break out your sleeping bags. We'll sleep here tonight."
Not surprisingly, this idea goes over big with the group. Everyone takes their own gear and finds a spot for themselves among the ruins.
Carter collects some wood and gets a small fire started in the middle of the campsite. Like moths to an open flame, everyone gathers around it and settles in for the night.
Kinchloe volunteers to take the first watch, switching with Newkirk in two hour shifts. Until it is his turn, he'll rest. He snuggles into Freddie's arms, gives her a kiss, smiles, closes his eyes and dozes off to sleep.
Morning seemed to come too early. As they yawned and stretched, everyone gets up with the sun. They rise, and repack their gear again. Carter rekindles the fire, and LeBeau and Schultz gather some rations for breakfast.
Klink was the first one to get up. He didn't sleep well, but who can when you're on the run? For the first time in a long time, he has woke up feeling very peaceful. He watches the sun rise over the distant hills as Hogan, rubbing his tired eyes, bids him good day.
"Ah. Good morning, Hogan."
Hogan yawns, "G'morning, Colonel. You seem happy this morning, sir."
"That I am, Hogan," laughs Klink. "Today is the start of a new beginning. I realized that last night. All this time I thought that I was fighting for a new life for my country. Only I learned that I was fighting against it. If I must leave home for awhile, so be it."
He looks up to the sky. "You know, Hogan. Not once during my tenure as kommandant of Stalag 13 did I ever look at the sky. It's really a beautiful sight."
Carter calls everyone to breakfast, meager as it may be.
"Good morning, colonels. Time for chow."
They follow Carter over to the fire and get their food. Unfortunately, all that LeBeau could manage to take with him was a few loaves of bread, some salt-cured beef and a small sack of fruit. Yet, he and Schultz were able to make enough toast for all.
After their morning mess, the unit pressed on. Again, Hogan and Klink lead the group, while LeBeau and Kinchloe kept watch from the rear. Everyone else watched the flanks.
As the sun made its way to "high noon," the group comes upon a rushing stream under the cover of some trees. They remove their gear and sit down to rest. Freddie takes a handkerchief from her pocket and dips it in the cool water. She puts the wet cloth on the back of her neck. Klink and Hogan have a small conference, discussing the next move. Their meeting is cut short by a distinct low humming sound. Everyone runs out from under cover and looks up to the sky.
Two low flying jet fighters. And they've been given orders to obliterate everything in their gun sights.
Newkirk shouts to Hogan, "We got company, Colonel!!"
Using the plane identification techniques she learned in SOE training, Freddie immediately recognizes the planes.
"A couple of Messerschmidts!"
She was right on the money. The Messerschmidt 262 was the world's first jet fighter. Germany's newest creation combines swift jet propulsion with a bomber's payload. It was equally feared by enemies on the ground as well as in the air.
The planes buzz the treetops as they circle their way around again. They come in even lower, so close in fact that they could take the whiskers off a frog.
Hogan screams, "Take cover!!"
The fighter-bombers open fire, sparing nothing. Bits of tree bark and earth fly everywhere. Everyone retreats under the cover of the trees again. Freddie and LeBeau huddle together around a tree trunk, clutching one another tightly. Carter takes to the stream, pressing himself into the muddy bank with his hands over his head. Hogan, Schultz and Klink duck down behind some large rocks. Kinchloe and Newkirk are caught out in the open air with no cover. As one of the planes makes his second approach, Newkirk raises his head to see that he’s right in the line of fire. He's stricken with fear and cannot move. He begins to pray, fearing the worst.
"Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee...."
He struggles up to his knees, covering his face. Kinchloe waits a brief moment then leaps towards him.
Kinchloe hits him like a freight train and grabs his jacket. As he rolls over top of him, he tosses Newkirk out of the way of incoming fire. Both use the momentum to scramble for cover.
"Thanks, mate," he says nervously, "I owe ya one."
Everyone waits in silence until the planes give up and go home. When the coast is clear, Hogan is the first one out of hiding.
"They've gone," says Hogan. "But for how long..."
One by one, everyone comes out. They all check to see if they are all alive.
Klink, for the first time since his departure from Stalag 13, gives an order. "We better keep moving. Before they find us again."
The team picks up their gear in a hurry and presses on.
Later that day, around dusk, they come across a small, quiet village. At first, the unit thinks everyone has been evacuated because it's so peaceful. They find that the local innkeeper is still open for business, and he gladly welcomes the Heroes.
The innkeeper's wife prepares a large supper for the travelers. It's the first hearty meal Hogan and his men have had since they were locked up. After their feast, they each find their own place to sleep for the night. Since Hogan and Klink are officers, they take the two remaining bedrooms upstairs. The rest of the crew camps out downstairs on the floor, right by the fireplace. Schultz is the first to bed and the first to sleep. The others just lay around talking for a bit.
"Do you believe this?" says LeBeau. "I never thought that in a million years we would be rescuing our own kommandant."
"You don't believe it?" asks Freddie, who is still mad at the whole situation. "This is totally against my beliefs. I still think Colonel Hogan is out of his mind."
"I don't know, Freddie," defends Kinchloe. "I don't think so. He's never steered us wrong before."
She's still skeptical. "There's a first time for everything."
Carter comes in on the middle of the conversation. "She's got a point, Kinch."
Kinchloe turns towards Carter, giving him a cold look. "Go to sleep, Andrew."
Carter shrugs his shoulders and lays down. Kinchloe laughs at him as he, too, lays down.
About two hours later, Newkirk sits up and looks at Freddie, who's awake much to his surprise. He softly runs his fingers down her cheek.
"Tired?" he asks gently.
She rubs the strong arm that is planted around her. "Yeah. I'm bushed. But I'm so keyed up, I can't fall sleep."
"Yeah," he soothes. "I don't blame ya. Well... since you're up, wanna talk for a while?"
She loves talking to Newkirk. Even if it's about nothing at all. Just as long as she is in his presence. "Sure," she says, "What's on your mind?
He lays down next to her, propping his head up on one hand while moving his one hand up onto her stomach. He gets as close as he can to her and smiles very lazily.
"You. What else?"
She smiles back at him. It's true. Freddie knows that Newkirk thinks of her all the time. She usually catches him staring at her when he thinks she doesn't notice. He's not in love with her to the point of obsession, but when they are alone he always whispers in her ear how much he loves her. She likes hearing those things almost as much as she likes being near him.
"Um...anything else on your mind?" she asks with a smile.
He turns serious for a moment. "Well, I got to thinkin' the other day. You know, about us gettin' married and havin' kids.... Are we gonna have kids?"
"Of course," she says. "Why, don't you want children?
"No, I didn't mean it like that. I want children. Really I do," he reassures.
They stop talking for a few moments and just look lovingly serious at one another.
"They're gonna be beautiful, Peter," she insists.
"Yeah, they will," he concedes.
Freddie lets out a little nervous laugh. "Almost seems funny. Me havin' children of my own. Never thought that would happen."
"Hey, you're gonna be a great mother. The best. I have lots of faith in you," he says gently as he strokes her blond hair. Freddie reaches up and strokes his face. He looks so much older than he really is with only a day's growth of beard on his jaw. The brown-red stubble hides his adorably youthful features. As her fingers dance across his lips, Newkirk kisses them and smiles. He can't wait for the war to end so they can stare into each others eyes without the world watching them. And they can hold one another until the sun no longer shines.
"Just think," he proclaims, "Half-German, half-English, but all ours, Freddie. Yours and mine."
She nods her head in agreement. They look at one another again. He leans over on her and gives her a long kiss on the mouth. Freddie wraps her arms around him and holds him tight. Love never felt this good before. And it is love that makes her swear her feelings.
"I know," she begins,"we're not married yet, but I want to tell you that... even now, I'd lay down my life at God's feet for you. Nothin' in the world would stop me. You mean more to me than anything, or anyone, in my life. I love you, Peter. Always and forever.”
He smiles with pride at her brutally honest vow. It makes him feel good because he knows she means every word. He has never known a girl who has gone through so much and still have enough room in her heart to love.
"Oh, Freddie," he coos. "Forever won't be long enough."
His reply was like music to her ears. Her arms tenderly pull him down to her mouth again. She kisses him with her mouth parted, letting her tongue taste his lips. Newkirk lets his tongue explore her mouth until they found each other. They could have savored each other for hours, but both of them know that that would be impossible with the others around. When they release, he lays down next to her, putting his head right next to hers and goes to sleep.
The next day finds the unit on the move very early. The innkeeper's wife made sure that they had a healthy breakfast before leaving. She also gave them plenty of dry rations before they left. Hopefully, the food will last them a week if all goes well.
At around mid-morning, they come to another winding creek. They all decide to follow it, maybe meeting up with an Allied unit who can spare them a truck. Before they continue on, everyone loads their pistols. Before Freddie can load hers, Carter innocently asks if he can help her.
"Can you get it?" he asks innocently.
Freddie looks at him and smiles as she puts the clip in and loads one round into the chamber. Klink and Schultz look on with amusement.
"Ist das Papst katholisch? ("Is the Pope catholic?")" she replies.
Klink and Schultz start to laugh loudly. Freddie looks over at them and begins to laugh, too. Carter just stands there with a sheepish grin, so she lets him off the hook.
"No thanks, Andrew," she answers. "I got it."
He's still confused, but he doesn't really care. Hogan makes a hasty inspection of his troop.
"All set?" he asks.
Carter answers for everyone. "Ready, Colonel."
"I've sent Kinchloe and Newkirk to scout ahead," he informs. "If it's safe, we'll continue. If not, we'll have to detour."
Gunfire shatters the quiet calm of the area. Everyone hunkers down and watches with caution as Newkirk and Kinchloe make a quick retreat.
"We ran into a Nazi patrol about 30 yards from here," says Kinchloe.
"How many men?" Hogan demands.
"Eight, sir. Maybe ten," says a winded Newkirk.
Freddie, forever gung ho and optimistic, sounds the charge. "We can take 'em! Come on!"
She starts towards the enemies. Hogan grabs her by the collar and pulls her back.
"Hold it, Freddie! We just can't-"
She throws his hand aside. "Yes we can, Colonel! Look...if you wanna keep sneaking around, that's fine with me. But if I have to engage the enemy alone, I will! I'm gonna keep moving forward!"
Freddie advances cautiously on her own. Hogan can see that she's serious and orders the others to follow.
The Nazis have taken their positions in the bushes. They are almost completely camouflaged from view. They hear Hogan and his crew approaching. They wait for them to get closer.
Then a scream in a German tongue cries out. "Feuer! ("Fire!")"
Bullets spray forth freely from the trees. Hogan shouts commands as he and his group dive for cover.
"Return fire!"
A small skirmish begins. The Nazis outgun Hogan two to one; they even have two machine guns.
Klink and Schultz don't aim at anything specific as they fire back. They were trained when under attack, to fire as fast as possible. You will eventually hit something. Hogan and his allies in the Underground were taught that accuracy is the key to a swift solution.
And their training seems to be paying off. Freddie alone takes out two men operating one of the machine guns with three hits. She's a very good shot. She stops momentarily to look.
"Die, you Nazi bastards!" she yells with a certain degree of happiness.
A Nazi private manages to sneak around the gunfight to engage one of the Allies in hand to hand combat. The private jumps on Carter's back, wrestling with him on the ground. Carter is forced onto his back with the private straddling on top. He pulls out a knife and raises it above his head. Before he can strike, a bullet penetrates the back of his skull and exits his forehead. He falls off, dead. Carter looks up to see who saved his life. He surprised to see Klink pointing his smoking Luger in his direction.
"Thanks, Kommandant!" he appreciatively shouts.
Klink nods in acknowledgement.
Freddie spies another Kraut deserting his team. She uses this opportunity to her advantage. She runs up behind him and tackles him to the ground, loosing her pistol in the process. After the struggle, the scared German runs, but is trapped by the brush and fallen trees. He turns around to face Freddie, who has retrieved her gun. He immediately gives up, putting his hands up. He is frightened and begs for mercy.
"Bitte, lassen Sie mich leben! ("Please, don't kill me!")"
She is caught up in the heat of battle, as well as her own emotions. "Tod allen Verratern! ("Death to all traitors!")"
She shoots and kills him. He slowly falls down dead. Slowly realizing what she has just done, she looks up towards Heaven.
"Entschuldigung, Gott. ("Forgive me, God.")"
She turns her attention back to the fight, only to see that it has ended. Only two Nazis have surrendered peacefully. Kinchloe is watching them. A concerned Hogan reclaims command.
"Everyone alright?"
The group acknowledges him. None of them sustained any major injuries, just minor wounds from the physical confrontations. Hogan places their prisoners in Klink's charge, figuring they will respond better to a German officer.
After about an hour's travel, the unit comes to rest in an open field. Klink takes this opportunity to interrogate the prisoners.
"Immer mit der Ruhe. Wir nicht bose meinen. ("Relax. We mean you no harm.")"
The young Germans try to calm down, but still look scared. Both of them look almost too young to even be in the Weirmacht.
As Klink is questioning the young men, Freddie finds a spot away from everyone and sits by herself. She's still a little shaken over killing another human being. This isn't the first time she has killed someone in this war, but this soldier was the first one to plead for his life. Now she feels guilty for killing him. LeBeau innocently goes over and sits down next to her.
"Hello" he says with childlike innocence.
Her mournful trance is broken. "Oh. Hello there."
LeBeau notices that she is a little more quiet than normal. "Are you alright? You look a little...upset."
She tries hard to mask her feelings. "Me? No, I'm fine."
He continues to look at her, reading her like a book. He tries to get her to talk by being "cute."
"Ok, sergeant. What's wrong? Something is bothering you and I'm not leaving until I find out what."
She looks at him with a little sorrow in her eyes. She waits a moment, then tells him. "I... shot... I shot him. I didn't want to."
"Shot who?" he asks.
"Back during that volley," she says. "A Jerry was getting away, so I tackled him. We wrestled around and then I got my gun out. He pleaded for me not to shoot him...but I...did anyway."
He puts a comforting arm around her shoulder. "Freddie...you had a reason. You felt threatened and you reacted. Don't second guess that."
"Yeah, but....he didn't want me to shoot him," she protests. "And I didn't want to shoot him either."
He continues to explain that she did nothing wrong. "Ecoute moi, mon petite ("Listen to me, my little one."). In case you haven't noticed, there is a war going on. And people are going to get hurt...or worse. It happens. If it makes you feel any better, I won't hold it against you. I still think you are a wonderful person."
She smiles a little. He smiles also.
"There's that smile I love so much. Freddie, don't take it to heart. War does strange things to people. Makes them do things they wouldn't normally do. If it gets to much for your conscience, ask God to ease your mind.
Freddie hugs LeBeau. "Thank you, Louis," she grins. "Thank you for being so understanding."
After their rest, they press on. It's getting a little more trying now, with more hills to climb and a river to cross.
Once the field has leveled out somewhat, they slow their pace. They continue to walk in a large, silent mob, with Kinchloe and Schultz watching the two prisoners in the center.
Suddenly from behind them, comes the sound of clanking metal. All stop and turn towards the noise.
A small tank crashes through some trees and brush.
"I think we got a problem," Klink states.
The two prisoners make their break for it. They knock down Schultz and overpower Kinchloe, spilling him to the ground, too. They run for the cover of the German unit. Hogan and the others scatter to avoid the tank.
Hogan shouts an order. "Head for the river!"
Hearing the order, everyone heads in that direction. There is a dense forest at the bottom of the hill that separates them from a river that they will use to lose the Germans. Hogan and Klink are the first ones to reach the forest. They watch as the others come racing over the hill. Schultz, LeBeau and Carter come over first. Klink ushers them into the woods.
"Go straight through. Meet us on the other side."
Kinchloe runs over the hilltop and down into the shelter of trees. Klink waves him through to a waiting LeBeau.
Freddie stops at the top, turns around towards the German unit. She fires a few rounds from her pistol just as Newkirk pulls her down the hill. She wants to stick around and duke it out, but they are severely outnumbered.
"Hurry it up!" he demands.
They are flagged through to the others, and Klink and Hogan fall in behind. They all start towards the river.
Once they have made it through the woods, they come to a shallow bank. They all inspect the river, deciding that it shouldn't be hard to cross.
"It doesn't look like it's very deep. Should we?" asks Klink.
Shouting can be heard in the distance, and it sounds German.
Hogan decides quickly. "Sounds like we have no choice."
Carter has one small problem. "Colonel," he says nervously, "I hate to bring this up, but I can't swim."
Klink can't believe what he's hearing. "You can't swim? Then how the hell did you get in the army?"
"I was drafted."
Schultz steps in and offers to help. "Here, Carter. I will carry you."
Carter jumps onto Schultz's back as the others slink into the water. Just like Klink thought, the water wasn't very deep. Everyone struggles to keep their packs above water.
It didn't take long for the Nazi unit to catch up to the Heroes. They open fire on them as they swim for the opposite bank.
Freddie bellows, "Dive!"
Everyone takes a deep breath and disappears under the surface. The water seemed to freeze the bullets from getting any closer to them. Freddie comes up for air and sees the others inhaling quickly and re-submerging. Just as she's about to go under, Newkirk shoots up with a painful expression on his face.
"Ahhhhhhhghghgggh!!" he cries.
Freddie grabs for him. "What's wrong?"
"I've been hit!" he answers, as he's struggling to stay afloat.
She doesn't ask any more questions as she grabs a hold of his jacket. "Alright, hang on! I gotcha!"
She's having trouble keeping herself above water, but refuses to let Newkirk go. He's still making painful yells as he paddles along with his good arm.
They're more than halfway across the river, well out of firing range. All have since ceased dunking themselves under and await for their orders. Hogan gets a look at the surroundings. He looks over at Newkirk.
"What happened?"
Newkirk calms him down. "I'm alright, Colonel. I don't think it's that bad."
Hogan swims over and helps Freddie get him to shore. Everyone else follows along behind.
They reach the shallow bank after what seemed like an eternity at sea. Freddie and Hogan help Newkirk up to his feet. He's able to walk on his own with no problems, but neither is sure just where his injury is. He walks out of the river holding his left forearm.
"Hold still, Newkirk," orders Hogan, "we'll fix it up here in a second."
Freddie looks at his arm, pulling back the shredded fabric of his jacket. Hogan looks through his pack for some first aid supplies.
"Looks like it's just a flesh wound, love." she says. "Stings like the Devil, doesn't it?"
His face shows more pain than he will let on. "Yeah, but if that's the worst of it, fine with me."
Hogan returns with some gauze and two shirt sleeves he tore off his extra uniform to use as a sling. After Newkirk has been bandaged up, they continue up the steep cliff. Hogan and Kinchloe are the first ones to make it uphill. All of the sudden, Kinchloe starts to cheer.
Schultz hears the cheering, and calls up the hill. "What's the matter, Kinchloe?"
"There's an American unit up here! Come on! Hurry!" shouts Kinchloe.
Everyone scatters up the hill. Freddie helps Newkirk as much as she can without carrying him.
Once at the top of the hill, they regroup. Hogan makes a split-second decision. "I'll go on ahead and talk to these guys. Follow behind, but don't get too close. I don't want them to know we got a couple of Germans with us, got it?"
It's agreed. Hogan takes Kinchloe with him as they talk to the group.
A few minutes have passed, and Kinchloe signals for the rest of the crew to approach. They got the truck. It's not a shiny showroom model, but it will get them where they want to go. Hogan was able to convince the American unit that he and Kinch had come across some wounded civilians and that he was helping them get to their relatives a few miles away. Both of them climbed into the cab, the others got in the back. Once they loaded their gear, they were off.
The next day, Hogan and his merry band of soldiers found themselves in Belgium. Now it was on to Brussels, and if they kept going, they might just make it by nightfall.
By now, everyone was hungry. They pulled off for their mid-morning meal at small village. They ate at the local inn, where the townsfolk welcomed them with open arms. Anyone who fought Hitler was a friend.
After their early spread, it was back on the road. They stop every hour to switch drivers.
Dinnertime. And Hogan and his unit have approached another town. Everyone is hungry and road weary. They all decide to stop for the night.
After dinner, everyone heads over to the tavern to find a place to sleep. Newkirk however has other things in mind. Ever since Freddie swore her love for him, he hasn't thought of anything else since.
There were enough vacancies at the lodge so everyone could have their own room. Privacy was never such a highly prized commodity before the war.
Freddie had just taken the longest bath in recorded history. The hot water warmed her through to the bone, not to mention that it felt good on her cold, achy muscles.
She is standing at the window, looking down and out into the streets when there is a knock at the door.
"It's me Peter. May I come in?"
"Yes, it's open," she says without turning from the window.
The door opens and in walks Newkirk. He casually sits down at the desk, saying nothing.
She turns to face him. "What's wrong? Is your arm bothering you?" she asks.
"No," he says, "my arm's fine. I just... wanted to see you. That's all."
She does a silly dance to draw attention to herself. "See?"
He giggles as he rises from the chair. He walks over to the windows and closes the blinds, then proceeds over to Freddie and gives her a little kiss on the lips.
"What," she says, "were you afraid that I'd change or something?"
"No, silly," he laughs. Then he gets serious. "I really came over to see you."
They put their arms around each other and look one another dead in the eyes.
"And how much of me did you want to see?" she playfully asks.
"All of you," he replied with a half-smile. "Every last inch."
He leans forward and kisses her deeply. She doesn't put up any resistance as his hands wander all over her body. When they release, Freddie pulls Newkirk over to the bed where she falls backwards on it. He reaches out and gently lets himself down on top of her and starts to kiss her again. She wraps her arms around him and holds him while they kiss. Then he backs away, letting her unbutton his shirt. There's no turning back now.
He starts to help her out of her shirt. By this time, his shirt is in a ball on the floor, and she's rubbing her hands over his chest. He's not chiseled, but his muscular tone drives her to distraction.
"Do you think we can do this without bringing attention to ourselves?" he asks.
"God, I hope so," she replies, removing her bra.
He says no more as he undoes the button on his trousers. She starts to help him with the fly when he stops her. He gently takes her hands and puts them down at the sides. Without taking his eyes off of her eyes, he reaches down, grabs her waist, picks her up and throws her further back onto the bed. She smiles as she lands.
"That was fun," she said.
He laughs as he crawls on top of her. "I know something even more fun."
His eyes finally break away from hers and venture down to her bare breasts. He then looks her in the eyes again.
"You are so beautiful, my love," he purrs.
Her arms fold softly around his neck as he kisses every inch of her chest. He loves the feel of her warm bosoms around his face. She closes her eyes and moans every time she feels his tongue slip and slide across her nipples.
After planting kisses down the front of his lady's chest, Newkirk gazes back into her cool, crystal blue eyes. His smoky green eyes catch a random sunbeam that broke through the cracked blinds. They blaze like two emeralds set in ivory. Nothing, she thought, ever looked that divine.
She put her arms above her head and his hands found their way to hers. Their fingers interlaced, refusing to let go. He licked the desire from her lips.
"Freddie," he softly pleaded, "I want you more in this moment than I ever wanted you before."
"Yes," she said. "yes, please."
He delicately plants kisses from her neck straight down to her naval as he backed off of her. Keeping his eyes fixed on her, he undid his pants the rest of the way. By this moment, Freddie had removed the rest of her garments, throwing them about the room. She looked back at him, standing before her raw and erect.
Leaning forward he placed his hands on her knees, parting her legs. He lays himself between her thighs, but does not enter her. He felt her hot wetness against his throbbing, hard muscular rod, turning him on even more.
"I love you," he whispered into her ear.
She blindly reached down and stroked his large member. "I love you," she whimpered back.
As the words were leaving her lips, he tilted forward and slipped inside her, slowly driving every inch of himself into her opening. Both moaned with the sensation.
With every rocking motion they made came groans and gasps of pure pleasure. Newkirk had a deep moan that makes Freddie insane with desire. She heightens his enjoyment by moaning his name without her English accent. Just listening to one another in ecstasy was sweeter than any song this side of Heaven.
And they made unbelievable, intensely mad, slow, passionate love all night long. Without waking anyone up.
The morning sun found them awake, lying naked in one another's arms. Both of them were never this worn out the last seven or eight times they made love. But they couldn't help themselves. It was almost a whole year since the last time they had any sexual contact with each other. And each time it kept getting better and better.
"Happy mornin'. Did you sleep well?" he asks rhetorically.
Freddie smiles as she rolls over onto him. "Not really. There was this strange gent with a wounded arm making love to me."
"No kiddin'. There was this shapely fraulein who couldn't say anything except my name."
Both broke out into laughter. "We better get downstairs, darlin'," she says.
They dressed quickly and headed down the hall and downstairs. The others were sitting in the lobby drinking coffee.
"We better start out soon," said Hogan. "I got a tip from the innkeeper that the local Gestapo are looking for unfamiliar faces."
Everyone finished their morning brew and collected their belongings. The truck was packed and ready to go. Another long day on the road awaited them.
Freddie makes her way onto the truck and sits, with Newkirk right by her side. Neither one is visually letting on about the night before. Once the truck is under motion, Newkirk leans over and whispers in her ear.
"Thank you," he says.
"For what?" asks Freddie.
"Last night. You were amazing," he divulges.
She says nothing, but grins wide and gives him a wink. They lean on one another and take a nap.
Just as soon as the journey started, it was over. The group reached its destination, Calais, France. LeBeau is the most excited of the group, knowing he is not far from home any longer.
They drive for another half an hour until they stop at an Allied naval base. From here Klink and Schultz will be shipped to England where they will live in hiding until the war has officially ended. Hogan returns from the base headquarters with new plans.
"Ok," he says, "the travel arrangements are all set. You'll board the H.M.S. Scotland. It's heading for Dover, England. Freddie and Newkirk will get you to London from there."
Klink smiles with relief. He is grateful to have found such brave and kind people who have risked so much just for him. "I... don't know what to say. You all have risked your own lives to save two enemies. That is probably the most... honorable and courageous act a soldier, any soldier, can display. You put your well-being in harm's way for us. I don't think I will ever be able to repay your valor."
Schultz agrees, "Me neither."
The Heroes are humbled by Klink's words. They are all proud of themselves and each other.
Hogan smiles, "Ah, it was nothing. Besides, what are heroes for?"
Klink steps in front of Hogan and extends his hand.
"I will... always hold a special place in my heart for you, Robert. I cannot thank you enough. Please take care."
Hogan grabs his hand and gives it a firm, manly handshake. He's trying his hardest to smile.
"You too, Wil." He turns towards Schultz, "Hans, watch him, will ya?"
Schultz smiles as he steps forward and shakes Hogan's hand. "I will do my best. Auf weidershen."
The others gather around to bid farewell to their former captors.
"Goodbye, Schultzie." says LeBeau, "I will think of you every time I see apple strudel."
"Jolly joker," laughs Schultz as he wipes a small tear from the corner of his eye.
Carter gives him a playful shot in the arm. "Take it easy, big guy."
"I will, Carter," he promises.
Freddie goes over to Klink. "Before we leave, I... do not want you and I to coexist on bad terms. So I will apologize."
Klink doesn't feel that an apology is necessary. "That's not so, frauline. You have every right to be upset."
"Perhaps," she protest, "but I shouldn't have taken out all of my anger and frustration on you. That was wrong."
Klink looks at his feet for a moment and thinks. Then he looks up at her again.
"I won't hold a grudge if you won't."
Freddie smirks. "It's a deal."
She extends her hand and he takes it. Both smile happily at one another.
Newkirk goes over and fetches Freddie. They have to pick up the pace, not only so they will make it on the ship, but to avoid any heartbreaking farewells.
"Well," admits Newkirk, "I guess this is goodbye then, isn't it?
"Yeah," says Kinchloe.
Newkirk approaches Carter first. "Goodbye, Andrew. Try not to blow yourself up, alright?"
Carter laughs as he takes his hand. "Bye, Peter. I'll try. Incase I don't see you for a while, best of luck. You know, with the marriage and everything."
Freddie asks with alarm, "You're comin' to the weddin', right?"
"Well, sure. If I'm invited," he says sheepishly.
Newkirk takes off Carter's hat and throws it back in his face. Both of them laugh as they embrace. Freddie kisses Carter on the cheek and gives him a hug. LeBeau steps forward.
"Au revoir," he smiles, "I'm coming to the wedding whether I'm invited or not.
Newkirk puts his hand on top of LeBeau's head and messes up his hair. "Well, you're not."
Both wait a moment, then break out in laughter. LeBeau kisses him on the cheeks, then hugs him. Freddie and LeBeau have become such good friends since she arrived that saying goodbye almost hurts worse than a bullet wound. They hug tightly.
"Freddie, I'm going to miss you so much," he says sadly. "You have become such a large, positive part of my life, and I thank you."
She is getting teary-eyed. "Oh, Louis. I wish I could put you in a locket and carry you home with me. I'll say a prayer for you, my dear friend."
They hug again, this time a little bit longer.
Kinchloe taps Newkirk on the shoulder. "You two have a safe trip home, you hear?"
"We will, James," he replies, "Thanks."
They shake hands and hug. Freddie kisses Kinchloe on the cheek and gives him a hug as well.
Klink and Schultz are waiting with Hogan by the gangplank, waiting for Newkirk and Freddie.
"Are we all set?" asks Hogan.
Freddie answers, "I think so, Colonel."
Hogan was hoping this part would easy, but it's not. Over the past couple of years, he has observed that his whole outfit's success can be attributed to their individual personalities. They share some similarities, all are easy-going, kind people who knew that they had a job to do that was much bigger than any one of them.
"I want you both to know that it's been a real honor to serve with both of you. The two of you are excellent soldiers, mentally and physically. And, Freddie, I don't believe that nonsense about women staying at home and out of combat. If the male soldiers were like you, the war would have been over in '39."
She laughs. "Yes sir."
"If I don't make it to the wedding," he says, "Newkirk, with your permission, I'd like to kiss the bride."
Newkirk smiles, "You may, sir."
Hogan puts his hands on her shoulders and kisses her lightly on the cheek. He smiles at her. "The one that got away from me. But you were caught by a better man. All the best, Peter."
They shake hands. "Thank you, sir."
"Thank you so much for everything, Colonel," says Freddie, "I hope we will see each other soon. Godspeed."
"So long, Fred," he says quietly.
Everyone stands around trying not to think of the departure. Suddenly the boarding bell sounds. They look around at one another. Klink and Schultz pick up their things and head up the gangplank. Freddie and Newkirk stay behind for a moment.
"It almost feels like a dream," he says. "I'm going home."
"We're going home," she corrects.
He smiles. "Yeah. We. Ready to start life together?"
Freddie laughs, "Let's get across the Channel first, ok? You may change your mind about me yet."
He's confused. "How's that?"
She laughs as she looks back at him. "I get seasick."
Newkirk waits before he answers. Then he grins, "So do I."
Freddie beams. "I'll save you a space at the railing."
Newkirk laughs as they grab their belongings and catch up to Klink and Schultz on deck. "Thanks. I'd appreciate it."
LeBeau stands and watches with tears in his eyes as two of his closest friends leave for home. He knew this day would come, but no matter how much he tried to prepare himself for it, it still tore a hole in his heart. He waves to the four of them on deck. They wave back, sad yet happy that the war is over for them.
The rest of the story fades away as LeBeau wraps up his trip back in time. He puts down his pen and reads what he just wrote.
"Needless to say, it was a very painful goodbye when we all went our separate ways. But we all managed to keep in touch with each other regularly over the years.
"We all found places for ourselves in society after the war. I, for instance, returned home to Paris, and received a hero's welcome from my family and friends. Not knowing what exactly the future held for me, I decided to help rebuild the city, literally. I did some construction work until I fell off some scaffolding and seriously injured my back. My wife encouraged me to give lectures about the war and my stay at a German POW camp, just for something to do while I was recuperating. I found that I actually enjoyed doing these engagements, and I'm happy to say that I continue to make speeches at universities and veterans functions around the country. It never ceases to amaze me how interested people are in my experiences, especially the young people. They seem to have a genuine interest in what happened in those days. It's remarkable.
"Carter went back to his native Indiana and became an explosives engineer for a demolition company and a high school chemistry teacher. He also met, fell in love with, and married a very nice girl. He introduced me to her when we all got together for a small reunion some years ago. I received a letter from him not far back and, at the time, they were expecting their fourth grandchild.
"Kinchloe decided to become a career soldier, seeing action in the Korean conflict only a few short years after being liberated from Stalag 13. He received one of the US Army's highest honors for saving his entire platoon from almost certain death, and was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
"While we are on the subject of colonels, Colonel Hogan returned home to receive many awards for his bravery and for his part in the Underground Movement. Then he went straight to Hollywood. He made a few motion pictures, but he was mostly a bit player in those sappy post-war melodramas. He wasn't happy there, so he returned to his first love, flying. He became a stunt pilot, performing at air shows all around the world. He flew his last mission in 1972, when he lost control of his plane and crashed. I miss him terribly.
"Newkirk and Freddie married shortly after the war ended, and had three beautiful children; two girls and a boy. I was thrilled beyond words when they asked me to be Peter Jr.'s godfather. What an honor! At last count, they had nine grandchildren. Newkirk, ever the showman, became a much-loved performer of the stage, radio and television, while Freddie was content being a full-time mother. For a while, she appeared on stage with him in a husband and wife comedy act, billed as England's version of Burns and Allen. I received some sad news from him last month, saying that Freddie had died suddenly from a heart attack. I was heartbroken. How someone so sweet and vibrant could pass away from something so silent is tragic. A day doesn't go by that I do not think of her.
"As for my German friends, former sergeant Schultz once again became president of the Shotzie Toy Company. He sent my children brand new toys for Christmas every year, with personalized Christmas cards wishing them a "Joyeux Noel" from their "Onkel Hans." He was always a generous soul, even during the war. I wish that my children could have met him. They would have fallen in love with him. Anyway, as his luck would have it, he employed his former commanding officer as the company's book keeper. You heard me right. Schultz hired former colonel Klink to work for him! I guess no revenge is as sweet as hiring your former boss, and having him take orders from you.
"As for Stalag 13, it was set ablaze after the last of the prisoners were released. We all got together for a reunion at the site with our families about ten years ago. Time has been good to the spot where it once stood. Tall grass grows over the compound yard now. Someone even planted a small shelter of trees in honor of those who were kept here. But believe it or not, many of our tunnels are still there! We all had a good laugh and wept a few tears for the old prison.”
He picks up a photograph of his friends with their families taken the last time they all got together at the old campsite. Everyone looks pretty much the same, with a few more wrinkles and a little less hair. He sighs with pride as he looks at the brave comrades he served with in one of the world's worst wars.
"I suppose war is a necessary part of life. If you examine it at face value, all you will see is death and pain. But I believe war has another, more significant role in life. It brings people together. Victory is the goal that we all fight for. It brings out the best in a nation. It is because of the second World War that I have very close, dear friends in three separate nations. I have forged a lifelong bond with these wonderful people. Even those who where once my enemies are now my friends. And I am forever thankful for that experience."