Chapter 22: Christmas

The wind blew hard on December 25, 1944, bringing with it snow for a white Christmas. The occupants of Barracks 2 were huddled around the stove and the communal table in an effort to keep warm. While supplies and rations had been drastically cut, spirits were high as the POWs were beginning to see the war would be ending soon. Everyone in the Barracks had drawn names for the Christmas gift exchange. Afterwards they were going to the Recreation and Mess Halls for a camp wide celebration.

There was a soft rap at the door and Carter opened the door to see Lieutenant Cumba had arrived for the small celebration. As she did not have a barrack of her own, the boys insisted she be apart of their celebration. Klink gave his approval for her to be in the Barracks along with a guard to watch out for her safety. Not that Klink had any concerns regarding improper behavior among Hogan's men. It was more of an excuse for Langenscheidt to be able to join in the festivities. Even Klink and Schultz put in an appearance using the excuse of having to do a barrack inspection. Soon there was hardly any room to move around in the cramped quarters but nobody seemed to mind.

Versie found a seat at the common table next to Newkirk with Karl sitting on the other side of her. Newkirk put his arm around her waist and joked with her about her new quarters. The men had just completed construction of a small private room in the back of a storage room in the infirmary.

"Listen ma'am if you get cold or lonely over there, please do not hesitate to call on ol' Peter." He said with a playful wink. Karl just smiled and leaned over pretending to want to speak to Newkirk as he stuffed something into Verise's coat pocket. Looking down she saw it was a pair of gloves. Smiling she thanked him for his generous gift.

"I am sorry they are not new. It is difficult to obtain any new clothing goods." He said apologetically.

"They are beautiful." she replied as she placed her gift of a handkerchief with his initials embroidered in the corner into his hands.

"Did you make this?" Karl asked.

"Yes, it was cut out of an old flour sack. I am sorry it's not fine linen." she said to him.

He smiled at her and replied, "It is as beautiful as the lady who made it. I will carry it with me always."

Both clasped each other's hand under the table, just happy to be near the other and be surrounded by friends.

Hogan came by and tapped Karl on the shoulder. "I need to speak to you for a moment in my quarters."

"Jawohl." Karl said smiling up at the Colonel. He got up and followed Hogan into his quarters. Hogan shut the door in an attempt to block out some of the noise coming from the rest of the barracks. "So did you have any trouble in town?"

"Nein," Karl replied. "I followed your instructions and was able to make contact with the underground. They want to set up a meeting in three days to discuss the rumor of a Panzer Division that is supposed to be in the area by the end of the week."

"Great, you're turning out to be an excellent courier Sergeant." Hogan said smiling.

"Danke Oberst Hogan," Karl said beaming with pride.

"How is Cumba doing with the German lessons?" Hogan asked.

"Not so good." Karl replied. "She is quick to pick up the words but does a terrible German accent. I've heard better accents on your American cartoons. As soon as she opens her mouth, the game is up." he said with a shrug of his shoulders.

Hogan laughed, "Ok, we'd better get back out there before there is a riot."

As Karl exited Hogan's quarters, he saw LeBeau had stolen his seat and now Cumba was sandwiched between the two men. Both men were trying to out do each other for her attention. As he moved to reclaim his position, a gloved hand reached out and touched his arm.

"Karl, make sure you stop by my quarters after the party. I have something for you." said Klink with a happy look on his face.

"Jawohl Herr Kommandant," Karl said as he moved to dislodge LeBeau from his lady's side.

"This is a nice party Robert." Klink said looking around him. "Even though everyone has so little, their spirits are high."

"Thanks Wilhem, have you heard any word from Berlin?" Hogan asked.

"Uhmm, Hochstetter was found guilty on all charges and hung." Klink shuttered. "It is a nasty way to die, even for someone like him. You will stop by my quarters later for a Christmas toast?"

"Wouldn't miss it Kommandant." Turning his attention to the party, Hogan raised his voice to be heard over the roar of everyone talking at once. "Alright everyone," Hogan called out to get everyone's attention. "Settle down and we'll start exchanging gifts. Kinch, you want to draw out the first name?'

"Yes sir." Kinch said with a big smile. Pulling a name out of a tin can, he called out "Cumba"

Versie reached into a bag and handed Newkirk a soft package. Smiling with anticipation, he opened the gift and found it was a pillow. On it was embroidered, 'NEWKIRK'S LEAVE OFF!'

Everyone began to laugh, including Newkirk. After giving her a brotherly hug Newkirk handed a surprised Kinch a package wrapped in brown paper. Eagerly opening it, Kinch found it was a book of poems about nature. Seeing the questioning look on Kinch's face, Newkirk explained. "See I know you're cooped up in the radio room a lot with nothing but dirt to keep you company. I thought since you can't get out and see the trees, birds and stuff; I'd help bring them to you."

Touched, Kinch thanked Newkirk for his thoughtfulness. Since it was his turn, Kinch pulled out his present and presented it to LeBeau. Thanking Kinch, LeBeau opened the package and found a chef's apron with a crudely embroidered 'Baiser le Chef'. LeBeau hugged his friend and said, "I will cherish this always Kinch. When I open my own restaurant, I will only wear this apron."

"Both Newirk and Cumba tried to help me with it but as you can see my domestic skills are lacking." Kinch said. The barracks broke out in laughter and LeBeau handed Hogan his gift.

Giving it a little shake, Hogan said "I wonder what it is." Opening it Hogan found a bottle of homemade cologne. Taking a sniff, Hogan pronounced it was fit for a king. As he thanked LeBeau, he presented his gift to Carter.

Opening his gift Carter eyes got big when he saw it was a book on the history of gunpowder. Everyone laughed as he tried to read the book and thank Hogan at the same time. Pulling an envelope from his pocket, he again called for the room to settle down.

"Pass this down to the Lieutenant." Hogan instructed Carter.

Versie looked at the enveloped handed to her and said, "I think there has been a mistake sir. This is addressed to you."

"Just read the letter Lieutenant." Hogan said. "Aloud please."

Confused she looked at Karl who just shrugged her shoulders. Opening the letter she began reading.

"My Dearest Robby,

Both Paul and I are so glad to hear you are well and no ill has befallen you. We have been worried since we lost contact with you. I cannot tell you how many sleepless nights we have had here but the letter we received has lifted our spirits. We pray for you every night and for your friends there at the prison camp. Pastor Verdon says a special prayer every Sunday for you and each one of our boys fighting in this terrible war. Now matter how bad things may get there, remember you are loved and not forgotten.

Your cousin Edith has come to stay with us because my brother Joel cannot care for her due to Sarah's illness. She arrived in October and was very shy with us. At first we couldn't understand a word she said because of that Yankee accent of hers. That didn't last long as we learned to communicate and you should see her now. She is just a little chatterbox and is growing like a weed. I don't think she has ever met a fried chicken she didn't like. Edith is adjusting well to country life and Josh is teaching her how to ride old Thomas. At first I was very concerned that she would fall from the horse but she has taken to it like a duck to water. I even think riding is helping to strengthen her legs.

Everyone at church adores her and she is in the youth choir. The child has a voice like an angel. I am enclosing a picture of her for you as I know it has been a long time since you have seen her.

Hurry home and don't worry, your friends are always welcome here, especially your friend Karl. Bless you and walk with God.

With my eternal love,

Bonnie Jean

XXXOOO"

Versie stared at the letter unable to understand what she had just read. She looked up questioningly at Hogan. "I don't understand. The letter is addressed to you but all the names except the little girl's are from my family."

"Carter," Hogan said to the tech sergeant.

Carter reached into his jacket, pulled a small package and handed it to Versie. "Merry Christmas, ma'am."

Taking the small package in her hands she sat there confused. "Open it," came several calls from throughout the room.

As she opened the package she saw it was a homemade frame with a picture inside. Looking at the picture she gasped and began to cry.

"What's wrong?" said Karl becoming alarmed.

Unable to speak, she handed the gift to Karl. As he looked at the picture he saw a middle aged couple sitting on a porch swing. In between them was a smiling child with ribbons in her hair and braces on her legs.

"Ilsa" he whispered. Looking up at Hogan, Karl said, "I do not understand."

"It is simple," Kinch said. "In addition to the letter you wrote your family to explain Ilsa, the Colonel enclosed his own letter."

Hogan shrugged, "Your dead so you can't get mail but I can. So Robby will be now get letters from his southern relatives."

Versie got up and threw her arms around Hogan. Embarrassed by the public display of affection in front of his men by one of his 'men', Hogan called for them to finish the gift exchange. Afterwards they all sang Christmas carols until they were hoarse. Years later many of the men there that day would tell their families it was the best Christmas of their lives.

Later that evening, Versie hung the picture of her Ilsa in the infirmary so all the POWs could see why they were there and not home with their families. Sometimes, when the day had been especially bad, a certain Kommandant would come in and stare at the picture. Sometimes he would touch the face of the little girl and sigh. He would never speak during this ritual but afterwards he always left smiling with a little spring in his step. It seemed to make the coming days more bearable.

I wanted this story to be about the unsung heroes that walk among us every day, the ones who will never get a metal, a parade, or their name in the paper. Those who no one thinks are up to the challenge but when others turn and run, they stand firm. They walk among us anonymous, never bragging about their deeds, oh but where would we be without them? To them I say thank you and God Bless you.

I wish to thank everyone who took the time to read this story and those who took the time to review it. I would also like to thank those who gave me constructive criticism and good ideas. This being the first thing I ever wrote, I know it is not on par as some of the other awesome stories that have been posted here. I hope you all will have patience with me as I struggle to improve my craft.

I wish to continue this story after the war with a portrayal of the actual conditions in Germany after the war, the plight of the German POWs and the effect of the Marshall Plan on the German population. If this is something you might be interested in, please let me know.