Love Is Forever

Excerpt from pages 51-53 of Love is Forever.

Finally I was released from the hospital.  I was ordered to report to Captain Banks’ office.  When I got there, Captain Banks invited me to have a seat.  I did, but thought it a bit strange that he treated me like a guest and not a soldier.  Then he picked up some papers that were stacked on his desk and asked,

“What’s your name, Soldier?” 

“Ben Scroggins, Sir.”

“What is your rank and serial number?” the captain asked.

“ I don’t know, Sir.”

“You are Ben Scroggins, aren’t you?” 

I assured him that I was.

“I asked you those questions because you have no identification with you at all.  I understand you have been a prisoner of war for a number of years, is that right?”

“Yes, Sir,” I answered.  “I was taken captive in Bataan.”

“Bataan was a bad deal.  Well, about three years ago, the war department received your ID tag and assumed you had been killed in action.” 

“Yes, Sir.  When the Japs took us captive, the first thing they did was rip off our ID tags.”

Captain Banks went on to say,  “Well, when we received your ID, we closed the books on you and notified your next of kin that you were missing and presumed dead.” 

I think my heart literally stopped for a brief second.  Everybody thinks I am dead, including Mary Ann.  I had a hard time hearing anything else he was saying after that.  Finally he said, “Scroggins, are you listening to me?”

I said, “Sorry, Sir, but the thought of all my family thinking I’m dead is a bit of a shock.  I’ll be okay”

“I understand,” he said as he continued.  He was filtering through the pile of papers on the desk in front of him and pulled out two pieces.  He slid them my way and laid them face down.   “Obviously a mistake was made. However, it was an honest mistake, as we had no way of knowing that you were alive and a prisoner of war.  Nevertheless, your family was caused undue grief, plus we owe you three years of back pay.  He handed me the two pieces of paper and said, “I want to extend to you my apology and here is an official letter of apology to your family for the grief and pain they endured, but they will all be so happy to know that you are still alive.  I also have here a check for  $18,775 for your back pay.  This will not right the wrong, but it’s the best we can do.”

“Thank you, Sir,” I replied with a quiver in my voice as I saw the check.  I felt weak and started to shake.  Captain Banks asked if I was all right as he got up from his desk and got a glass of water for me.  The water settled me some.  I couldn’t help but think of that long march when we had no water and how I thought I was dying.  Now it was wonderful to be able to have a drink of water whenever I wanted it.  Water is something else I won’t take for granted again.

“Ben, there is one more piece of paper I need to give you.  It’s your honorable discharge from the United States Army this fourth day of August 1945.  We need your signature at the bottom.”

He slid the paper over to me and I signed where he indicated.  He gave me a carbon copy.  I considered this a valuable paper and wanted it to remain in safekeeping.

Then Captain Banks stood and I followed suit.  “Ben, one last thing.  You brave soldiers in Bataan detained the Japanese long enough for us to regroup our naval fleet in the south Pacific.  Without your delaying them, the entire complexion of the war might have been different.  As far as I am concerned, you are a real war hero.”  Then he gave me twenty dollars for a train ticket home and saluted me.  I responded and saluted back for the last tim