Can you write a story using these lyric clips from the Marine Corps Hymn?

Question

1. from the halls of Montezuma
2. in the air, on land and sea
3. from dawn to setting sun
4. we are proud to claim the title of
5. you will find us always on the job
6. in many a strife we've fought for life

Here's to all U.S. Marines, past and present, and those who love them. Semper Fi

Answer 1

Annie MacGregor
Virginia


"SEMPER FI"

My brother is dying. My darling, darling big brother is dying.
He lived through his Plebe year at The United States Naval Academy. He lived through Vietnam.
I don't know whether he can live much longer with the cancer.
The doctor told me he was in remission. I don't know why he said that!

I sit here by Todd's side, at Hospice. I was told he would stay here until he acclimated to the new medicine. What's wrong with everybody ?!!!! He's not acclimating to anything. I took one look at him and went out to see the doctor.
Annie:"My brother is dying."
Dr. Murphy:"No maam. He is resting."
Annie:"Sir. I know what I am talking about. My brother has begun the death process."
Dr.Murphy:" Would you like me to check on him,maam? I'll be right back."
I stand alone, waiting. Knowing I am right. I was there for my husband, mother and father during their last years.......And for their last moments on this earth. (3) From dawn to setting sun I never left their side.
I knew I was right.

The doctor returned to me...."Annie..... Could you come with me, please?" He led me to his office.
Dr. Murphy:"Annie....... Your brother is dying."
Annie:"Yes sir. Could he die soon?" Dr. Murphy nodded.
Annie:" Could it be today?" He nodded again. "Then this meeting is concluded. I need to be with Todd."
I left the office and returned to my brother's side. (1)From the halls of Montezuma to a little room in Hospice. My brother lay dying. I would sit with him and love him for as long as God would let me.

I scribbled some words on a piece of paper and taped it to the wall....... " SEMPER FI TODD"
I made sure that every person who entered his room would salute as they left. Every single person did this. God bless them all.
The lady in charge of Hospice, Genie, was a friend. She had been my friend ever since she had played a role in the lives of my mother and father. They had both been in the hospital, just up the road. Genie had been in charge of the staff on their floor . My father had died one year earlier, in this very Hospice. My mother had died one year prior to dad, in her room at the hospital.
Ever the angel, Genie walked over to my side....... "I love you, Annie." She held me. "Are you hungry?" I shook my head. She hugged me again and then left.

A few minutes later she returned . She brought me some jello and soup. She told me she would bring me some toilettries in the morning. Before she left that evening, she stood at the foot of Todd's bed. I asked her if we should take him to the hospital....
Annie:"Can they save him?"
GEnie:"No, Annie."
Annie:"Then he stays where he is. I do not want to disturb him." I grabbed her and clung tightly....... "My heart is breaking Genie! "........."Will there be someone here all night to administer the medication?"
Genie:"(5) You will find us always on the job. Just like Marines."
She saluted my Todd, blew me a kiss and then left.

I NEVER took my eyes off his face throughout the night. Around 9 AM the next day, my Todd breathed his last. He joined my parents in heaven. I stepped outside the room..... "My brother has stopped breathing."
By the grace of God, Dr. Murphy and Genie were standing at the nurses station. They came in. He listened with his stethoscope. Genie listened. I asked the doctor to please listen again.
Dr. Murphy:"Annie. Your brother has died."
I held his and Genie's hand and said a prayer. At the conclusion, we all saluted. I asked to be left alone .

I promised my brother a memorial service steeped in the Marine Corps. Months earlier I had secured the name of a bagpiper. I had all my photos ready and the obituary. ...... A while back, on a day I feared Todd might not beat the disease, I had written my song for him, to be sung at his service .He had asked to hear the words. I knew it had passed muster with him.

I had two Marines from "Eighth and I" at the service. Eighth and I is the cream of the crop in the Corps. My brother deserved no less.
The bagpier stood in front of the church.....Piping in the many friends who wanted to pay homage to Todd. The service was perfect. Many people stood and told stories about Todd....Much laughter, some tears.
A Judge/acquaintence of my brother spoke...(6) In many a strife we've fought for life . Todd fought for his clients. I will miss him."
One of Todd's buddies stood up...."The Marines are (2) in the air, on land and sea. They are protecting us and watching over us.
I called Todd's home the other day. I needed to hear his voice on the tape. The message states he is too busy to come to the phone. I know he is. He and his fellow Marines are guarding the streets of heaven."
He cried so hard when he left the podium, I held him in my arms.

Then it was time for me to play and sing my song.
"Friends...... My brother was and ALWAYS will be a United States Marine....................(4) WE are proud to claim the title of Todd's friend.
I sang my song which of course was entitled, "Semper Fi."
At the conclusion, I stepped off the platform and asked everyone to join me in a salute to Todd.

The Sgt. read the "Marine Prayer." The bugler played "Taps."

I will love my brother for as long as there is a God.
Semper Fi, Todd.

Answer 2

Full Bird Colonel P.C.Garant picked up the phone situated caddy corner on the massive, mahogony desk. His jaw tightened when he heard the voice of Paul Wolfowitz inform him that a second plane had struck Tower 2 at New York's World Trade Center.
"Tower 1's in flames. We also have reason to believe that it's not over, other targets, including the Pentagon, are at risk." Colonel Garant's office was in the Pentagon, and he knew his twin sister worked in an office on the 86th floor of Tower 1.
"Is this attack in the air also on land and sea?" he asked.
"As far as we know, it's strickly an air attack, Colonel." Wolfowitz replied.
"I'm on it, Sir! As you know, you will find us always on the job!" he slammed the phone down, and sounded the alarm for full evacuation of the premises.
I, the twin sis did not report to work at the Tower that morning. It was a Monday and I opted to report to the Jersey office. I'd been suffering from the halls of Montezuma's revenge [forgive me!] the day before, and couldn't face the train ride into Manhattan. A petty excuse that probably saved my life.

At the office, a co-worker called me, she was on her way to Manhattan. "I just saw a plane hit the World Trade Center! What's going ON!??" She was on her cell phone.
"Turn around and get back here NOW, don't mess with this, forget the court appearance, TURN AROUND." I urged.
I hung up the phone ran to the conference room to find most of the staff staring at the television in stunned silence.

By 10:30 both magnificent towers had collapsed, and I sat, numb, behind my desk; I could no longer look at the television. I'd heard that the Pentagon was also struck and started weeping uncontrollably, worried sick about my brother. He'd been my hero growing up, sticking up for me at every turn, a little guy with a huge heart. I thought about his change of command at a MALS unit in North Carolina, how his troops gave him a standing ovation, tears in their eyes. He was something different to me, a cute brother, who looked like a cross between young Burt Reynolds and Ed Harris. During his speech to the MALS unit, he'd mentioned me, his twin, how I'd "gotten all the brains and the better genes."
"God, I cannot lose him."

My supervising partner knocked on my office door, came in and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Don't forget, in many a strife we've fought for life as a country, and we'll make it through this." The words were of little comfort to me. It was two days before the phone lines would allow me to connect with my brother, we were both sick with relief to hear each other's voices once again.

From dawn to setting sun during the weeks and months that followed, the country united in grief, outrage, and support for its victims. Gradually learning of the incredible heroism of Flight 93's passengers, we were all proud to claim the title of AMERICANS, better yet, HUMAN BEINGS WITH HEART, which covers all the innocent folks on that flight.
We still are.

Who loves ya, little Colonel?

Answer 3

I'm no story writer Char, just wanted to give you a star. Thanks for your support of our troops.

Answer 4

And a big Hoo-Rah to you too! :D