Chapter 11 Private Sonny

The years did finally speed up to leave Sonny transformed into a resilient, self-reliant young man, sturdy, rugged and as sharp as a whistle. Having gotten through high school by 1947, 17-year old Sonny, still a raw and fresh-eyed teenager, volunteered his services to the army. Stationed in Fort Meade, Maryland, as a Buck Private, he earned a measly $75 a month, which satisfied him at the time, as the army provided him a room and board as well. 

The romantic in Sonny was enchanted by the location of Fort Meade. It was a nature’s paradise with virgin forestland, tall and shady beautiful trees and endless vantage points for Sonny to watch wildlife undisturbed.  The Hummingbirds, the bluebirds and the Purple Martins looked fascinating as they pecked about looking for grub. The black squirrels so furry and endearing scampered about looking for nuts to store for winter and spotted deer enjoyed free run of the base. Sonny would get so deeply moved by these encounters with nature, he turned his after hours into creative writing sessions, allowing his spirit the freedom of flight into poetic fantasy.

            The struggles his mother went through during his childhood had left an indelible mark on Sonny for he adhered to a frugal, almost reclusive existence without parties, drinking or smoking. He distanced himself from frivolity and extravagance. Living so frugally, he was able to set aside some money for a rainy day, even from the paltry salary he was paid.  His solitary existence it didn’t bother him overmuch. Books on any topic were his friends and when he was not absorbed in observing wildlife or writing poetry, he could be found with his nose buried deep in a book. He was not one for travel either. Though he loved the company of his mother and stepfather, he rarely spent time out of town. When his mother spoke with him on the phone, she would plead with him to come home on weekends. The yearning so obvious in her teary voice never failed to tug at his heartstrings and he would relent and plan a trip home. From Anne Arundel County where he was based, it was a two-hour bus-ride to Washington DC. To see his mother’s face light up on seeing him and the warmth of her hugs were worth all the hassle of travel. The man-to-man chats with his stepfather gave him the strength and reassurance he needed to be the totally committed soldier of his dreams. Or at least to come somewhere close to it. His doubts and fears miraculously vanished when Enas Broadway soothed his spirit with a gentle philosophical turn of phrase.  

So in time, Sonny adjusted smoothly to his soldier’s way of life. He already had an alert, vigilant disposition and he had trained himself to be observant. His ability to zero in on what interested him combined with his innate capability to steer a vehicle, made him a much sought after tank driver for the 2^nd Armored Cavalry Division, driving their M24 tanks and personnel carriers. The M24 Chaffee was arguably the best light tank of World War II, able to deliver relatively large caliber direct fire with an excellent 75 mm M6 gun. Sonny was proud of this fact even though his relationship with heroism was destined to remain vicarious. Every time he sat at the driving seat of an M24, his thoughts would wing back to the tales of bravery Enas Broadway had related. Time had dulled the pathos of life and death situations but the characters seemed so real yet. There were times when Sonny felt the tears stream down his cheeks as he felt the pain and heartache of his stepfather. Would he have measured up to him? What is the choice he would have made when faced with certain death in saving his buddy? For Enas Broadway there had been no choice. He saved his buddy and almost lost his life. Located in the relative safety of the US, there were times Sonny sorely wished to experience the spine-tingling thrill of danger in the air or the oppressive fear of his life constantly on the line.