8 [The One Who Was Reborn] - Graduation

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On the crisp January morning of 1940, Ian stood among his fellow recruits, donning his sharp uniform and carrying his weapon with pride. As the troops stood in their designated units, a Colonel stepped forward to address the soldiers. With a voice that commanded respect, he praised the recruits for their remarkable achievements and expressed gratitude for their selfless service to the country.

Ian looked out into the crowd and saw the faces of loved ones, wives, sons, daughters, and friends of his fellow recruits who had come to witness this momentous occasion. The air was charged with a mix of emotions - pride, excitement, and perhaps a hint of apprehension.

His mind wandered to the events that had led him to this momentous day.

After the grueling weeks of basic training, the recruits were put to the test with a series of rigorous final exams. For Ian, it was a breeze - a cakewalk that reaffirmed his confidence in his abilities. And sure enough, he came out on top, achieving the first rank in every topic and securing the top spot overall.

To celebrate his victory, Ian threw a party at a nearby bar, inviting all of his fellow recruits to join in on the festivities. But as the night wore on, Ian couldn't help but notice something that left a sour taste in his mouth.

Several of the senior soldiers' wives were in attendance, and they wasted no time in flirting with the fresh-faced recruits. Some even left with more than one of them - a fact that Ian found distasteful and dishonorable.

Despite his disgust, Ian chose to remain silent, knowing that he couldn't risk stirring up trouble. He was well aware of the cheating that went on within the army, having heard countless stories from his late grandmother. But seeing it happen right in front of him made him realize just how prevalent it was.

Still, Ian couldn't shake the feeling that he didn't want to get involved. With the looming threat of war on the horizon, he knew that many of his fellow soldiers would meet their end in the coming months. And in some strange way, that gave him a sense of relief. After all, an honorable death in battle was far better than being exposed as a Jodie and facing the wrath of a jealous husband.

It was a strange thought, but Ian couldn't deny that it was wrong.

The weeks following the party flew by, and before Ian knew it, graduation day had arrived.

The ceremony began with a solemn prayer, delivered by a chaplain who asked for guidance and protection for the soldiers and their families.

Next, the national anthem rang out, a stirring tribute to the country and its proud military traditions. Ian sang along with his comrades, their voices strong and unified.

Then came the guest speakers, each offering their unique perspectives on the challenges and triumphs of military service.

Finally, the moment he had been waiting for arrived. The Colonel stepped forward, calling upon the soldiers who were being awarded to come forward and stand before the audience. As each soldier took their place, the Colonel read out a citation or certificate describing the achievement or service that was being recognized.

The awards and medals glinted on a table or podium in front of the Colonel, each one a symbol of valor and sacrifice. With a steady hand, the Colonel pinned each medal onto the soldier's uniform, or presented it to them in a box or case, depending on the award.

Ian's heart swelled with pride as he was awarded several medals and certificates at the graduation ceremony. His expertise in shooting exercises earned him the expert marksmanship medal, while his outstanding proficiency with his assigned weapon led to him being awarded the sharpshooter medal. Ian's hard work and dedication to his physical fitness also earned him the physical fitness award.

Unexpectedly, Ian and four other recruits received the army good conduct medal, recognizing their exemplary conduct and behavior during basic training. Furthermore, Ian and five other recruits were given the distinguished graduate certificate, which acknowledged their exceptional knowledge and skills in various military subjects.

But Ian's greatest accomplishment was being awarded the honor graduate certificate, as he had demonstrated outstanding performance in all aspects of basic training. His exceptional dedication and effort throughout training were recognized, and he was immensely proud.

After all the awards had been presented, the Colonel congratulated the soldiers on their achievements and wished them well as they began their service in the U.S. Army. The ceremony ended with the Oath of Enlistment, a solemn pledge to uphold the Constitution and obey the orders of the President and their superiors.

With the ceremony concluded, the soldiers celebrated with their families and loved ones. They laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed the momentous occasion that marked the beginning of their service to their country.

Ian watched the other recruits celebrate with their families, their laughter and joy filling the air. But, despite the happy atmosphere, Ian felt a sense of loneliness that he couldn't shake off. He walked away from the crowd and wandered, lost in his thoughts. Finally, he found a bench and sat down heavily, feeling a sense of exhaustion wash over him.

He closed his eyes, the memories of his past life flooding his mind. He thought of his wife Sarah, and his children, the ones he had left behind. His heart ached as he longed to see them again, but he knew that it was an impossible wish. A tear slid down his cheek as he whispered to himself, "I miss you all so much. Even though we can never meet again, my love for you will always remain."

Suddenly, he felt a comforting pat on his back and saw his instructor, Sergeant Billy, beside him. Without a word, the sergeant offered him a cigarette, and Ian, though not a smoker, accepted it gratefully.

They sat in silence, smoking, as the weight of the moment lingered between them. After a few moments, Ian stubbed out the cigarette and rose to his feet, preparing to leave. But Sergeant Billy stopped him with a gesture, handing him an envelope with a cryptic message to report to Camp Lehigh after his leave.

Ian was momentarily confused, but Billy's smile and words of encouragement made him feel proud and hopeful for the future. As Ian saluted and walked away, Billy watched him go with a sense of pride and satisfaction.

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