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THE FORGOTTEN SOLDIER

The hands of time move swiftly through the ages. Years are but a flicker of time in eternity. Every persons' life is entwined with many and fate always has the last laugh. Each and every man must one day face his greatest fears.

The misty rain falls gently upon the parched earth. The sweet smell of the falling rain adds a new aroma to the drying grass and rotting leaves. It is a typical summer day in the small town of LaPlace, LA, a town of less then 10,000, a town where everyone knows everyone, or do they?

Audrey loves this town. She is a transplant from a small town in Pennsylvania. She and her husband David had decided to make this small town their home. They live the typical retirees' life. Audrey does volunteer work at the local VA home and David putters around in the yard.

Audrey enjoys her volunteer work at the local Veterans home. Since she and David had spent 21 years in the military, she feels close to the soldiers that live there. She loves to read them stories and to listen to tales of their military adventures.

One day, as she was leaving, nurse Jones stopped Audrey. She asked her if she would be willing to read to a veteran. A new soldier, Sgt. Jacobs, had arrived the previous week. He had been in various homes over the last forty years and according to his records he had never had a single visitor. He never received any letters or packages from home. Nurse Jones felt sorry for the soldier. He was a very bitter and angry man. All of the staff avoided any contact with him. Nurse Jones stated that she had heard that Audrey was from Pennsylvania. Sgt. Jacobs was also from Pennsylvania and Nurse Jones thought that perhaps Sgt. Jacobs might be willing to speak to someone from his own state. Audrey agreed to meet Sgt. Jacobs.

The following day Audrey went to Sgt. Jacobs' room. As she entered the room, her eyes were drawn to a very solemn looking man sitting in a wheelchair and staring at the wall. Looking around the room, Audrey noticed that there was not one picture, not one personal item of any kind. The room was decorated with old cast off furniture. It was the saddest room Audrey had ever seen.

The soldier quickly turned when he heard the door open. At first, Sgt. Jacobs just stared at her. Then he said, "who are you and what do you want here? Leave me alone. I did not ask for you to visit me."

Audrey was a little taken back by Sgt. Jacobs' remarks. Why was he so bitter? She had only come to talk with him.

"Hi, my name is Audrey. I

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