Sidekicks

Sidekicks

We arose out of the swamp dripping with black mud and covered with blood- sucking leeches. Our guns pointed toward the enemy. We fired at the incoming platoon of enemy soldiers. The barrage of bullets seemed endless. We were heavily outnumbered while under constant gunfire from the enemy at almost point-blank range. We were pummeled by clip after clip of bullets from the enemy while grenades exploded all around us. Our flesh was not pierced by one bullet nor were we injured by one piece of flying shrapnel. A shield of righteousness surrounded us deflecting the objects that were hurtled toward us. We fired our remaining bullets from our M-16s with each bullet finding its intended target. We had wiped out the entire enemy platoon of twenty men. The enemy had underestimated the combined forces of Lieutenant Christopher Gavitt and Private Chris Hausfeld.

Many years ago, during my preteen years, I used to play out several adventures like this one in my head over and over again. All of the adventures involved Christopher Gavitt and myself, his trusty sidekick. We would fight the "bad guys" together usually while in a jungle warfare or desert combat situation. I first met Chris Gavitt when I was ten years old at a ski resort in French Lick, Indiana. My mother informed me that we would be sharing our vacation condominium with her boyfriend's brother-in-law, Chris. At the time I was not too thrilled about staying with a complete stranger. But this complete stranger was to have an enormous impact on my life. On the first night in the condo we all settled down to watch the movie, "Rambo." Chris got quite enthusiastic about the movie. He told us stories of his own military exploits. His adventures were miniscule compared to Rambo's, but I was still very intrigued by them. Rambo was a hero of mine at the time and to meet someone who had been in some of the same kinds of situations as Rambo was a dream come true. I pestered Chris constantly throughout the weekend to tell me more stories about his military experiences. I can still remember the vivid dreams I had that weekend. I can remember feeling the adrenaline rushing through my body as the scenes of military conquest unfolded in my unconscious mind.

Chris's confidence has always amazed me. He is not afraid to try anything.