When I was back to my unit at PTRP, Fort Jackson, SC, on 1/3/2007. I got the feeling that 很多事情都不大对头。
首先，前一天晚上，由于害怕耽误了飞机，我一宿没敢合眼，严重缺乏睡眠。一月三日凌晨4点，我叫醒了熟睡中的丈夫，我们大概4：30 就出了门。我那天是穿ACU，现在US AMRY 官兵的正式军服，佩戴 Black Beret，Summer Boots, 还有跟随了我三个月的双拐。After my husband took off, I felt extremely lonely. Although I was still at SFO airport, my heart had already been in the 军营。我真不想回去！！
由于我是休一个月的 Con Leave， 我的脚伤还是挺严重的；别的 battle buddies 都是只休 从 12、18 到1、2 的 圣诞假期，所以我不知道如何从 Columbia Airport get back to Fort Jackson. And I didn't have the free pass for the bus that the Army hired to accommodate all the soldiers.
I was holding two of my crutches in one hand, so the other spare hand could hold on to my luggage. It was a mess, and my beret was not in place, my hair must have sticked out of it, for I heard a loud shout from a black female Drill Sergeant yell, " SPC Liu, fix your hair now!!" in front of at least 300 squatted soldiers (we were ordered to keep the squating position in unison). And whick I did immediately. Right away, that shout put my body and mind and soul back to the Army.
All of a sudden, I saw a familiar face, Private A from PTRP, what an angel that God sent me at the right time! Private A, greeted me discreetly, and offered to carry my luggage, I was so grateful. Words could have failed to describe my feelings then. "A, where are your crutches? Did you leave for Con Leave with them?" "Oh, I left them at home, I am sure Major Waring will give me a new set." A 高兴地答道。哎， 早知道，我也把拐杖丢在 Fremont 的家里了。愚蠢！我心里埋怨。
总算回到PTRP， 已经是夜里12点了。在回营房前，我们50 几个伤兵来不急寒暄，都被命令列队静候。不知等了多久，最后，两位 Black female Drill Sergeants showed up, yelling, "Shake down! Shake down!" meaning every soldier would empty his or her luggage in one motion, and wait to be inspected individually. I totally hated it! But what can you do instead of obeying the command.
When it was my turn, she fumbled my stuff, "What is this, Liu?" I took a quick look, that was the 膏药 that I bought at Ranch 99, for my ailing back and knees. They have all Chinese labels on, I guess that was why she asked. "Drill Sergeant, that is the medicated tape for my back, Drill Sergeant!" sounded off quickly. "That is contrabent, throw them in the trash, Liu!". "Right away, Drill Sergeant, right away!" I shouted. And did I was told to do.
