marched to the barracks and halted in front of it and then fell out of formation. The three friends walked inside the barracks toward their room, a squad bay with bunks and wall lockers and study desks for eight Cadets.
Spike said, “I can’t wait to graduate.”
Tad tugged at the grey material of his Cadet uniform. “I’m getting some new clothes. Tired of looking like everyone else.”
“ Formation to march over to Convocation is in thirty minutes,” said Spike. “Then an hour of boring speeches, and then we’re free.”
Galen said, “Dinner at home with my mom then a nap and then it’s party time!”
Tad said, “We’ll be there. Kind of weird, though, partying at the same bar where your mom works. For you, I mean. Won’t bother me one bit.”
Galen said, “She paid my way through the Academy. It’s the least I can do, go to the graduation party she planned for me.” He stretched out on the bare mattress of his bunk. That morning they had turned in their linins. He turned in all the Academy property and now only owned the uniform he wore and a personal bag containing hygiene gear and a set of civilian clothes. The same clothes he wore when he checked in at the Academy, and had only worn once, on his one and only overnight pass. All Seniors got an overnight pass soon before graduation, a chance to make arrangements for after…
“Wake up!” Spike shook Galen’s shoulder.
They ran outside and fell in to formation. The Senior Instructor called them to attention and faced them toward the coliseum. Then, “Forward, March!”
The senior instructor called cadence, “left, left, left right left,” for most of the march until they neared the coliseum then said, “I’m gonna count down and then you’re gonna sing your class song.”
The class song. Galen thought it was great, two years ago . The class came up with the lyrics during week zero and week one of training. The class sang it when they marched non-tactical as a group around the Academy grounds. But now Galen didn’t like the song at all. He thought it was tasteless and wondered why the training cadre didn’t make them change it a long time ago. The first rank of Cadets entered the coliseum.
“Four, three, two, one!”
The Cadets clapped their hands in time with each left step and sang in cadence to their marching.
“Your daughter’s coming home in a plastic case,
Doo dah, doo dah.
Your daughter’s coming home in a plastic case,
Oh the doo dah day.
They shot her in the chest, she died among the best,
Your daughter’s coming home in a plastic case,
Oh the doo dah day.
We’re sorry that it brings you so much grief,
Doo-dah, doo dah.
All we could find was half her teeth,
Oh the doo dah day.
Your son’s coming home in a body bag,
Doo dah, doo dah.
Your son’s coming home in a body bag,
Oh the doo dah day.
They shot him in the head, now your boy is dead,
Your son’s coming home in a body bag,
Oh the doo dah day.
They shot him in the head when they aimed at me,
Doo dah, doo dah.
His helmet’s still hanging in a tree,
Oh the doo dah day. ”
Singing, the class marched past the locker rooms and filed in to stand marking time until the song ended, each in front of a folding chair set up on the playing field. The chairs were lined up facing the stage and podium at the end, a gap four meters wide left down the middle of the chairs. Galen was relieved when the song ended. They stood at attention until the Senior Instructor took the steps up onto the stage and used the podium sound system to give the command, “Take Seats.”
They sat.
Chapter II
In the bleachers all around were the rest of the Cadets, family members, instructors and staff, veterans, alumni and anyone else interested in attending the graduation ceremony. The coliseum was packed. Some spectators had to stand. The applause began as soon as the Graduating Class took their seats.
The Senior Instructor stepped away from the podium. The Academy
Spike said, “I can’t wait to graduate.”
Tad tugged at the grey material of his Cadet uniform. “I’m getting some new clothes. Tired of looking like everyone else.”
“ Formation to march over to Convocation is in thirty minutes,” said Spike. “Then an hour of boring speeches, and then we’re free.”
Galen said, “Dinner at home with my mom then a nap and then it’s party time!”
Tad said, “We’ll be there. Kind of weird, though, partying at the same bar where your mom works. For you, I mean. Won’t bother me one bit.”
Galen said, “She paid my way through the Academy. It’s the least I can do, go to the graduation party she planned for me.” He stretched out on the bare mattress of his bunk. That morning they had turned in their linins. He turned in all the Academy property and now only owned the uniform he wore and a personal bag containing hygiene gear and a set of civilian clothes. The same clothes he wore when he checked in at the Academy, and had only worn once, on his one and only overnight pass. All Seniors got an overnight pass soon before graduation, a chance to make arrangements for after…
“Wake up!” Spike shook Galen’s shoulder.
They ran outside and fell in to formation. The Senior Instructor called them to attention and faced them toward the coliseum. Then, “Forward, March!”
The senior instructor called cadence, “left, left, left right left,” for most of the march until they neared the coliseum then said, “I’m gonna count down and then you’re gonna sing your class song.”
The class song. Galen thought it was great, two years ago . The class came up with the lyrics during week zero and week one of training. The class sang it when they marched non-tactical as a group around the Academy grounds. But now Galen didn’t like the song at all. He thought it was tasteless and wondered why the training cadre didn’t make them change it a long time ago. The first rank of Cadets entered the coliseum.
“Four, three, two, one!”
The Cadets clapped their hands in time with each left step and sang in cadence to their marching.
“Your daughter’s coming home in a plastic case,
Doo dah, doo dah.
Your daughter’s coming home in a plastic case,
Oh the doo dah day.
They shot her in the chest, she died among the best,
Your daughter’s coming home in a plastic case,
Oh the doo dah day.
We’re sorry that it brings you so much grief,
Doo-dah, doo dah.
All we could find was half her teeth,
Oh the doo dah day.
Your son’s coming home in a body bag,
Doo dah, doo dah.
Your son’s coming home in a body bag,
Oh the doo dah day.
They shot him in the head, now your boy is dead,
Your son’s coming home in a body bag,
Oh the doo dah day.
They shot him in the head when they aimed at me,
Doo dah, doo dah.
His helmet’s still hanging in a tree,
Oh the doo dah day. ”
Singing, the class marched past the locker rooms and filed in to stand marking time until the song ended, each in front of a folding chair set up on the playing field. The chairs were lined up facing the stage and podium at the end, a gap four meters wide left down the middle of the chairs. Galen was relieved when the song ended. They stood at attention until the Senior Instructor took the steps up onto the stage and used the podium sound system to give the command, “Take Seats.”
They sat.
Chapter II
In the bleachers all around were the rest of the Cadets, family members, instructors and staff, veterans, alumni and anyone else interested in attending the graduation ceremony. The coliseum was packed. Some spectators had to stand. The applause began as soon as the Graduating Class took their seats.
The Senior Instructor stepped away from the podium. The Academy
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