We Were Soldiers Page #3

Go on.

Everybody, take your boots off.

Everybody.

Socks too.

I want you to draw

fresh socks from supply.

Keep your feet

dusted with powder.

Everybody check each other's feet

like Godboldt and me.

Now, that young man's a leader.

Yes, sir.

That other fella--

that big, strong one there--

he wants to win medals.

Why were you in the back?

Goddamn it,

why were you in the back?

He's eager.

Ladies, I'm really, really glad

you're here today.

Some of you are new to the army

and all of us are new to this post.

I thought we'd pool our resources

and cover questions we have.

So, why don't we start

with item number one-- food.

Where's the best place to shop?

Well, I tried Big Star,

and it's okay.

But I keep thinking my water's gonna

break right in the checkout aisle.

That takes care of food shopping.

So, item number two-- laundry.

The base washing machines

don't work.

They're full of sand

from the swamp missions.

I'll take care of that.

- I've already complained.

- We'll just go to the general.

In the meantime,

the Laundromat in town's okay...

but they won't let you wash your

colored things in their machines.

- At a public Laundromat?

- Didn't make sense to me either.

I'm telling you, they have

a sign right in the window...

says "Whites Only".

- What?

- They mean white people only.

That's awful.

Your husband is wearing the uniform

of a country that allows a place...

to say his laundry's not

good enough, when he could die for--

- I'm sorry. I just--

- That's all right, honey.

I know what my husband's fighting

for, and that's why I can smile.

My husband will never

ask for respect...

and he'll give respect to no man

who hasn't earned it.

The rest of his family

is the same way.

Anybody who doesn't respect that

can keep his washing machine...

'cause my baby's clothes

are gonna be clean anyway.

Well, I guess that takes care

of item number two.

Are you all right?

I think-- I think

my water just broke.

We're all calm.

We're all calm.

A car! A car!

- Colonel.

- At ease. At ease.

I heard one of my new lieutenants

just became a father.

- I came to say congratulations.

- Thank you, sir.

So, I didn't wanna disturb you.

No, it's fine.

It's all right. Please.

Well, how's your wife?

She's okay. She's okay.

She's sleeping.

So is my daughter.

I just...

wanted to be here for a while

before I held her.

Well, tag her already?

- What's that say?

- Camille. Sorry about this, sir.

Don't take that off. Leave that

where it is. That's an order.

- Colonel, may I ask you a question?

- Sure.

What do you think about

being a soldier and a father?

I hope that being good

at the one...

makes me better at the other.

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