CHAPTER 1

At-ten-tion!

The roaring sound of hundreds of heels clicking together rangout on the parade ground as the units were called to attention. Theband struck up John Phillip Sousa's famous march, "Stars andStripes Forever," and the color guard stepped off to the beat of themusic. There was a bit of wind on this fine morning and the youngRanger who had been given the honor of carrying the colors hadher hands full. The flag was snapping to and fro as if it had a mindof its own. Brigadier General Carolyn McKenzie Marshall stood asstraight as she ever had as the color guard passed in review beforethe platform. Carrie snapped a salute just as she had some thirtyyears ago when she first entered the Army. After spectacular servicein Viet Nam in which she was awarded the Congressional Medal ofHonor, the President of the United States offered Carrie a choice ofassignment. She chose the Jump School at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky.Carrie was allowed to set up the first women's jump program inthe U.S. Army. She stood there remembering the beginning.Remembering too, the reasons she and so many others had foughtand died for their country as the units passed in review. Chillbumps broke out on her arms. Then she spied the women's unitsshe had trained. She was also thinking of the women who weresharing the platform with her today. Dora and Regina would betaking over from this day forward. Retirement was not somethingshe looked forward to, but she knew that it comes to everyonesooner or later. It was time for her to move out. The Airborne hadchanged over the years. Her girls were now a part of the Rangers.She had trained a great bunch of women during her time, but nonewould ever measure up to Dora and Regina. They were among thefinest soldiers to be found anywhere in the world—Black or White,male or female.

Carrie would be leaving today to take up residence in Hawaii.She had saved quite a bit of money during her stint in the Army.She had decided some years ago that she wanted to live where thewarm breezes blew all year round and live out her remaining daysin comfort. Carrie had bought a beachfront house sitting on an acreof land. It was all paid for, not too close to her neighbors, but nottoo far away as to be isolated. She knew that she would never beone of those so-called homebodies, but she did look forward toa new life just over the horizon. Her heart pounded with pride asthe unit of her first command passed in review. Even those whowere no longer in the service had been given special permission toparticipate in this retirement ceremony.

Eyes Right! All hands of the unit snapped to salute their formerboss. She returned their salute in kind. Many of the women hadtears in their eyes. Carrie was the woman who had sculpted theminto the persons they were today. Words could not express the loveshared by these women for Carrie and for each other. Her firstcommand was very special and probably the best ever turned out.After all, Dora, Regina, Lydia, Elizabeth, Christine, Lola, Lil'Bitsand others were members of that first unit. In her eyes, Dora wasa descendent of the Greek gods, and would never be surpassed byanyone. In truth, Carrie thought of Dora as the daughter she neverhad. Racism between the two had never been a problem. Dorawas one of the reasons Carrie could step down at this time. WhenDora brought down the Cambridge Building against orders tenyears ago, Carrie was certain that Dora would end up in jail. Butthe government had put her family in jeopardy. It was decided thatmorally and legally, they, the government, were at fault and thatDora was, at least morally, if not legally, within her rights to put anend to the people who had tried to murder her entire family.

Dora was reinstated, her record wiped clean. Both she andRegina had earned their present rank of Colonel. Regina was activeduty. Dora would continue in her special ops—called on only whenher special talents were needed.

Carrie's thoughts returned to the present. None other than,General Raymond Anthony, her boss was delivering the partingspeech at her retirement ceremony. She heard him speak glowinglyof her Army career, the unit of women she had formed, and thefact that she had rose through the ranks, through hard work andperseverance to the rank of Brigadier General. What he did notmention was how closely they had worked together in their specialops programs. At one time, the General was one of the most fearedmen in the service. That didn't mean that he carried no weight now,but as a general officer, one had to be more discrete. Carrie hadalways depended on him to help her protect her girls. Unknownto everyone except Carrie—this was a very sad day for GeneralAnthony. He acknowledged her genius without saying exactly whathe was feeling. But Carrie knew him well. She probably was theonly person alive who could read his every mood.

At the conclusion of his speech, Carrie was called front andcenter to receive her final decoration, the Distinguished ServiceMedal from the General. Her command flag was removed fromthe pole, folded and presented to General Anthony who in turnpresented it to Carrie. The flag had flown over the home of the75th Rangers, her last duty station for several years. Applause andcheers rang out across the parade grounds. It was the end of alegend.

The crowd began dispersing, all except the girls in Carrie'scommands. They were all over her—hugs and kisses, hand shakingfrom everyone. This was a very emotional day for Carrie. She justwanted to head for the airport. At last, she was able to work herway over to Dora, who snapped a smart salute—then gathered herin her arms. They both had tears in their eyes.

"I'm going to miss you, you know. Miss all of you. I don'tknow how long it will be before I see you again," said Carrie.

Dora said, "Don't worry about it. I'm just a plane ride away."Dora stepped back so that others could say their good-byes. Finally,Carrie was escorted to the car that was taking her to the airport.She had asked to go alone. She took a last look around the baseand gave a final salute to the folks watching her leave and climbedinto the car. She took a deep breath to hold back the tears as the carswept through the gates. Carrie was on her way to begin a new life.

Dora was staying at Ft. Benning with Regina tonight, but shewould be leaving first thing in the morning to get back to Californiaand her family.

The two of them along with the other `sisters' would spendmost of the night gabbing. The girls were of two minds aboutCarrie retiring. They were happy for her. Happy—that she wasfinally putting the Army behind her and attempting to live a normallife. She had given much to her country and her loyalty had neverbeen questioned. At Regina's house, the girls went over and overthe events of the past years. Finally, Regina turned to Dora and theothers and told them "Don't worry. Carrie will be okay. She will dowell at whatever she decides to do. I wouldn't be a bit surprised ifshe doesn't end up running for public office. You never know."

"Now, let's kick back and enjoy our Margaritas. I offer atoast—to Carrie."

"Hear! Hear!" said the "`sisters'." Dora smiled. "The girl willnever change."

David lay in his empty bed, wishing that Dora were home. Hemissed her terribly when she was away, even if it was only for onenight. He wished fervently that Dora would give up the military,but he knew she wouldn't until she was ready. He had to admit,that in spite of the...