My Platoon Sergeant Died Today

[DMZ-LT]

In Vietnam , as a platoon leader , I only had a platoon sergeant for a very few days before he was wounded. I knew him as "Big A", that's what everyone called him. Big A was riding on a Sheridan that hit a pretty big mine. I ran up to him and he was skinned up a lot and a leg was bending the wrong way. He was out cold. I bent over him to clear the airway and he opened his eyes and smiled real big at me and said " Looks like I am going home LT." I helped carry him to the dust off and he winked at me and gave me a thumps up. I never saw him again. I was glad he was going home. He was much to old for this $hit, probably middle 30's really but he reminded you of your Dad. I was happy he was safe and would be joining his family in the world soon. Flash forward 32 years. Through this computer I am talking to a guy who was in my platoon then and just out of the blue I asked him about BIG A. He tells me Sfc Armentraut recovered and was not sent home but he went to our Air Cav Troop , Delta Troop as an observer, where he was convinced it was safer than running around the jungle with killer kids. A few months later his chopper was flying over around Laos and was hit with an RPG , going down in a ball of fire - none of the bodies were recovered.. I have remembered that man and smile and wink with great joy and a smile all these years.. made it seem like sometimes , somehow things worked out good. I learned he died today a long time ago. He has not been forgotten for 32 years and never will. Welcome Home to all the brothers and especially Big A.