My army experience was not the greatest thing in the world, but while I was serving I met one of the most incredible men I have ever come across! The base commander was coming to inspect our unit and the lieutenant didn't want me in the way. So he stuck me in a shed oiling camp stoves and other metal field equipment. I had sat everything to one side and was proceeding to oil and restack them on the other when I looked up to see the most aged face I'd seen on the base peeking through the window. He had little bits of white hair on the side of his head, and a little white moustache that I wondered how he got away with. He opened the door and said "What you doin' son?"
I explained to him "Oh! The lieutenant doesn't want the base commander talking to me, huh? What's going on?"
I told him my tale of woe, how things had been going and he listened intently. "You haven't had a base pass or a leave the entire time you've been here?" he remarked, "You've been on KP every night?"
"Yes sir!" I told him.
"I don't like that!" he grumbled, "I don't like that at all!"
It was then that the door opened and a young looking officer entered carrying a jacket. "They're just about ready, general!" he snapped.
"I'll be along," the man with me answered. "You find this young man's captain! I want a word with him."
The officer snapped "Yes sir!" and hurried off.
I stood up and came to attention. The general laughed and said "Sit down, son! Sit down! I always look for the ones they're trying to hide," he explained, "and try to speak to them without them knowing who I am. That's how I really learn what's going on. These young officers think they're smart, but I've been in this game a lot longer than they have."
I asked "Excuse me, sir, but how old are you? How long have you been in the army?"
The general looked at me and smiled. "I'm 72 son," he answered. "I've been in the army 56 years. I've seen three wars. I'd like to stay in for the next one, but even my friends can't ward off the inevitable forever! I've got to retire next year. The only reason they've kept me on so long is there's always a shortage of command grade officers."
The door opened and my captain came in coming to attention. "Sir!" he snapped "You wanted me, sir?"
"Yes!" the general snapped, "If half of what this young man is saying is true, I'm deeply disappointed in your subordinates, captain! This young man is to have a pass for his last weekend. I am making that your personal responsibility, captain, and, an order. If I find that he doesn't get one you will have to explain to me why!"
The general rose and I did too. "Stay at ease, gentlemen, stay at ease!" the general commented, and hurried out the door. The captain looked at me in total shock then snapped "Get back to work private! Looks like you're doing a good job!" and hurried off.
My lieutenant put me on KP that final weekend, but I got my pass. However, that's another story! I will always remember that encounter with that formidable man. I wish I'd had time to sit and hear all the stories he had to tell. But I was very glad he passed through my life, though I don't even remember his name. However, whenever I look at Beetle Bailey and see the general there fond memories of that officer will always return, of a man that just didn't want to stop serving his country because it was the best part of his life. It's too bad we don't have more people like him! We need 'em!

The world has turned over many times since I took the oath on the plain at West Point, and the hopes and dreams have long since vanished, but I still remember the refrain of one of the most popular barracks ballads of that day which proclaimed most proudly that old soldiers never die; they just fade away.
And like the old soldier of that ballad, I now close my military career and just fade away, an old soldier who tried to do his duty as God gave him the light to see that duty. Good-by.