Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Husband and Wife (08/08/14)
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TITLE: Marine marriage made in Heaven | Previous Challenge Entry
By Robert Douglas Brown
08/12/14 -
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Iraq. Sergeant Luke Pomitor opened the windows in his barracks, and then turned on an industrial sized fan to get some kind breeze moving through Barrack J-33.
His thoughts constantly meandered off as he wondered what was going on with his bride of six months, 1st Lieutenant Jerri Pomitor, who served her country as an RN south of Baghdad.
The couple met a year ago during a battalion sweep of the areas just west of Baghdad. Their fathers served in the Marine Corps for many years. Jerri’s father, Martin Jessup, was an MD with 33 years of service in the corps.
Luke’s father, Colonel Quinton Pomitor, was a rough, rugged Marine Veteran with 36 years in the corps.
“What are you doing Pomitor? We have enough sand storms, and that stupid fan is bringing one indoors.” yelled 1st Sergeant Mallik Stoner.
“Come on, Stone, its 125 degrees, and the AC quit working during Ramadan.” spoke Pomitor.
Earlier in the week, President Bush made a big splash when he landed on a Navy Aircraft Carrier as a co-pilot in an F-18 fighter Jet. Decked out in a flight suit, the president announced that the war was won.
This in reality was not the truth for the war-torn country that had been involved in some kind of war dating back before Jesus Christ was born.
BOOOOMMM… BOOOOMMM; the noise was deafening. The blast knocked Sergeant Pomitor at least 6 feet across the room violently like a rag doll in the wind. Everything seemed to move in slow motion and the speed of light at the same time.
“Lord, am I now in your presence? Please tell me, Lord. I am a young man and want to have a long life with my wife, Jerri.”
About this time, several Marines rushed into the shambles of what was Barrack J-33 just a few minutes ago. Sergeant Pomitor’s body lay limp on the floor just a few feet from the door.
As if being shocked back to life, Sgt. Pomitor coughed several times to clear the thick dust out of his lungs. “What just happened? What just happened?” wheezed Pomitor.
“Relax Pom; you survived one heck of an explosion. Do you know who I am?” asked Sergeant Stoner.
“Of course Stone." replied Pomitor, as a huge grin took shape on his dirt covered face.
No one else was injured from the blast that turned out to be an IED that ignited when an Al Qaeda suicide bomber ran his motorcycle into the side of barrack J-33.
Once Pomitor gained all of his senses, he slowly remembered what he said to the Lord. “Did I actually die, and God brought me back to life”?
As soon as he was checked out by one of the base doctors, Luke took a long cool shower and immediately tried to reach Jerri. The minute Jerri answered the phone, she was in tears because she had heard that he was severely injured and possibly killed.
“Jerri, I have a five-day pass, and I am coming to see you right away. I love you, and cannot wait to hold you. Something strange, but good happened to me while I was I think unconscious, I will tell you soon.”
It was the next day before Sgt. Pomitor was able to leave Fallujah and make his way to Jerri. About 10 miles into the trip, Luke’s Hummer was blown at least 20 feet off of the road.
The first thing Luke remembered was asking the Lord if he was in heaven. A small voice told him that he was given a rare gift of a 3rd chance, and that the Lord has plans for him and his family.
“I was not dreaming it! It was real,” mumbled Luke.
The hummer Luke was traveling in had been totally destroyed by the roadside IED. The driver of the Hummer, Lance Corporal David Burhll, was seriously injured, but lived.
Jerri rushed to the base hospital once she heard the news about Luke from the base commander.
“Luke, my love, I dreamed last night that God has special plans for us and our family,” sobbed Jerri as she held Luke’s hand.
“Jerri, the Lord spoke to me both times after each blast. I will do God’s will each and every day of our lives."
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A marriage made in the eyes of the Lord is always one made in heaven. You describe that very well.
Blessings, Lynn
Well done. Keep shining His light.
I look forward to seeing how this scores...I really love it!
God bless~
We should live by these each day of our life. If we won't do these little ones, will God call on us to do a big "God's will" in our life?
This is a nicely written story. Knowledge about that time in history was needed and well used.
With His blessing, marriage is a heaven all its own.
So good of you to remember our men and women in uniform.
God Bless you my friend!
Reminds me of the verse that talks about a chord three strands, representing marriage. Husband and wife both separately walking with God, growing closer to him, and as they grow closer to him they grow closer to one another.
Excellent piece!
It won't be long, as you think, that you will be out of beginners and on your way to masters.
Excellent story. A few little blips that can be fixed by re-reading.
Super job.
Talk to you soon.
One suggestion, try to limit military jargon that everyone might not understand. Not that you did much of that with this one, except some folks might not understand what a "battalion sweep" means. You can always use military terms and then find creative ways to explain to the readers what they mean, so that it will appeal to a larger audience. Hope that helps in some way. All the best!