The Promise
© 2013 - William C. Highsmith


The scene looks the same as the day he left. The majesty and beauty of Alaska never changes. It is a land with high mountains, raging rivers, gentle streams, sweeping bays, and vast stretches of tundra. It is the home of countless animals of diverse species.

Lawrence Timble - known among his friends as Larry - grew up in these mountains. His heritage was native Aleut on his mother's side. His father came into the area many years ago to change his life and escape his reputation as an ex-con.

Young Larry learned to be a survivor as a boy. He was made tough coping with some of the harshest elements mankind has ever endured. It was an environment that would make a man out of you or else kill you. He faced predators, overcame natures attempts to freeze or drown him and found food in unbelievable circumstances. He was a man - a man who wanted to see the world.

In early summer of 2005 Larry graduated from high school, and the wanderlust hit him. He had decided the best way to see the world was to join the Army. Since he had been raised in the mountains and was adept at self-survival, he felt like he could face anything and win any fight. Now, it was time to tell his mother about his plan.

"Mama, I have been doing a little research, and I've decided I want to be a soldier."

Of course, she was not enthused and feared for his safety. She knew he would likely be sent to Afghanistan.

"Don't worry, I will be alright. I can take care of myself. This is something I must do. I promise to come home as soon as possible. I received a text message from the recruiter this morning. He said I should meet him in Anchorage next Wednesday."

"Dad, will you drive me to town?"

"Yes Boy, I'll take you, but you have to promise me that you will be careful. I know you are capable of caring for yourself. However, this time you won't be facing a Grizzly bear. You will be facing men who hate you. They want to kill you because you don't believe the same way they do. These men have weapons. They will plant bombs on the trails and try anything in their power to do you harm. I've read that the mountains of Afghanistan are far different from our mountains," answered his father.

"Well, maybe I won't even be sent there. Perhaps, I'll be sent to France or Germany. I've heard the girls are very pretty in Europe. Wherever - I want to go see the world for myself," said the young man.

Larry took basic training at Fort Wainwright in Alaska. After basic training, he had a two-week furlough. Afterwards, additional weapon's training came at Fort Irwin in California. Suddenly, the young man came to realize he had a lot to learn. He used to think he knew everything there was to know about guns. After all, he had been raised with one in his hand. This training in Fort Irwin was a wake-up call.

Time marched on - a year passed since he had been home. His mother was right. There were no pretty girls - he soon found himself in a hostile land. Instead of the lush green mountains, these were such as he had never dreamed about. He was not in Alaska anymore - he had landed at a secure airstrip somewhere in Afghanistan. In the valleys and along the lower elevations, the heat was intense and stifling. He was reminded - danger was all around. His deployment was for two years. Alaska seemed all the sweeter now.

. . . . . . .

The calendar indicated it was the fall of 2007. Larry was on patrol. His platoon came under heavy small-arms fire. He ducked for cover but instead stepped directly on an IED (Improvised Explosive Device).

It was time to return to Alaska. Visions of his beloved homeland were his final thoughts. He remembered the fireweed would be in bloom now.......

His mother and father received his flag-drapped coffin at an Anchorage military base. Just as he promised - Larry came home again.

By William C. Highsmith - October 21, 2013