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Date Posted: 09:13:46 12/23/13 Mon
Author: usmgrad
Subject: Christmas Challenge 2010 – The First Visit

Title – Christmas Challenge – The First Visit

Author – usmgrad

Disclaimer - JAG and its characters are the property of CBS Television, Paramount Studios and Bellisarius Productions. All rights reserved. No monetary gain will be realized from this story and no copyright infringement is intended.


Authors note - Through out the show we watched Harm visit his father at The Wall on Christmas Eve. I wondered about the first time he visited and wrote this as an answer to the Christmas challenge issued in 2010. This is my vision of that first visit. This story follows (timeline wise), “Good Night Son” and “Moments in Time”.



December 23, 1985
Naval Air Station
Pensacola, Florida

“Ensign Rabb to see you sir” came a voice over the intercom.

Captain Thomas Hawthorn looked up from his work, pulled a folder from the pile on the corner of his desk, pressed the button and replied, “Give me two minutes then send him in.”

The captain quickly reviewed the ensign’s personal file and his performance evaluations while at Pensacola. Just graduated from the Naval Academy, in the past six months the ensign had proved to be a natural when it came to flying. He was leaving Pensacola the top of his class headed to Miramar for additional training and then probably straight to a carrier group.

When the current class of aviators arrived, as he did with every class, Captain Hawthorn learned everything he could about each new student, both from observations and from personal files. Ensign Harmon Rabb, Jr was still a mystery. He was serious, almost too serious for a young man his age. His roommate, Lucas Pendry had done his best to lighten him up, even introduced him to a few of the local girls. Even Jack Keeter, whom Hawthorn was sure was this group’s practical jokester, although he couldn’t prove it, wasn’t able to lighten Mr. Rabb’s demeanor. From day one, for some reason Captain Hawthorne felt he knew this officer. It took some time but he finally figured it out. He had know the young man’s father, not personally as they flew off different ships in Vietnam, but knew of him because of the type of mission the senior Rabb flew. Tom had flown similar missions. He was also aware of the last mission his father flew. The young man waiting outside his office had lost his father when he couldn’t have been more than five years old.

Two minutes later, Ensign Rabb entered the office and immediately came to attention. He had been in Pensacola for six months but this was his first visit to the captain’s office.

Captain Hawthorn waited a moment before speaking, observing the new aviator. He then proceeded with the obvious since he had no idea why the ensign was in his office.

“Ensign Rabb, you have orders for Miramar?”

“Yes sir, we leave the day after Christmas.”

Checking the officer’s file one more time, the captain was looking for clues as to what might be on the ensign’s mind.

“I see you’re a second generation naval aviator.”

Harm’s stance became even straighter, if that was possible. “Third, sir.”

Captain Hawthorn’s look suggested he wanted him to continue.

“My paternal grandfather flew in World War Two.” Harm paused a moment, finding a spot on the wall over the captain’s head then continued, “He didn’t come home.”

Some of the pieces were finally falling into place, third generation aviator, both previous generations lost to war. The captain still didn’t speak, allowing Ensign Rabb to continue.

“Sir, I understand there is no leave for the holiday.”

Finally the reason for the visit, “that’s correct Mr. Rabb; your group is due to ship out December 26th.”

“Are there any exceptions?”

“Is there an emergency I’m not aware of?”

“Not an emergency, sir.”

“If not an emergency, than what is it that has you here?”

Harm understood the tone of the question; he could apologize and leave the office with no affect. But he pushed ahead, what he needed to do was important. “After Miramar I understand we will be billeted to a ship, perhaps as long as a year before we are back in the states.”

“That’s correct.” Captain Hawthorn replied.

There was a pause before Harm proceeded. “I’d like permission to go to Washington, D. C.”

Captain Hawthorn thought a moment; looked into the young officer’s eyes. He thought he knew what the young officer wanted to do but needed to make sure.

“Your father was shot down in Vietnam.” It was a statement that needed to be spoken.

“Yes sir, fourteen years ago . . . tomorrow.” Harm hoped this would be enough information.

“Will this be your first visit to . . .?”

“Yes, sir.” Harm interrupted, not out of disrespect but out of a need to eliminate the possibility of an extended conversation on the subject.

The captain pondered the young officer and his request. He himself had been struggling with taking the same trip.

“There’s a flight out tonight, you’ll have to find a flight to Miramar from DC.”

“Yes sir. Thank you, sir. There’s a flight early Christmas morning.”

“Ensign, you’ve already made arrangements before being given permission?”

“No sir; just looked into the options before I asked.”

Captain Hawthorn paused; he wanted to wish the young man well, but held back. This trip was going to be a difficult one for the officer. “Permission is approved. Good luck Ensign.”

“Thank you sir.”



Christmas Eve, Washington DC

It was early in the afternoon when Harm stepped off the Metro. This was his first visit to Washington since just before his admission into the academy. Four years ago, his mother, step father and him had come east from California early and visited the museums and the monuments. A real family vacation, his mom had said, knowing it would be her last ‘vacation’ with her only child. This time he wasn’t here on vacation and he was by himself. He had only one stop to make while in Washington DC.

He walked slowly down the Mall, he was in no hurry. He had all night, the flight to California not leaving until 5:00 am. He caught himself listening to conversations as he walked along the Mall. There was group headed to the Washington Monument with someone quoting facts from a travel brochure. Another group, teenagers, were caroling along the walkway. Darkness descended; the museums closed, the tourist groups thinned, and families hurried, taking in that last sight before heading home to prepare for Santa.

As he neared the Lincoln Memorial, the caroling had disappeared and was replaced with hushed whispers. This end of the Mall had a more reverent atmosphere. He had read a lot about the new memorial before his arrival.

The Memorial Wall was designed by Maya Ying Lin. It is made up of two black granite walls 246 feet 9 inches long. The walls are sunk into the ground, with the earth behind them. At the highest tip (the apex where they meet), the panels are 10.1 feet high and taper to a height of eight inches at their extremities. Granite for the wall came from Bangalore, Karnataka, India and was deliberately chosen because of its reflective quality. When a visitor looks upon the wall, his reflection can be seen simultaneously with the engraved names, which is meant to symbolically bring the past and present together. One wall points toward the Washington Monument, the other in the direction of the Lincoln Memorial, meeting at an angle of 125° 12. Each wall has 72 panels, 70 listing names and 2 small blank panels at the extremities. Inscribed on the walls are the names of servicemen who were either confirmed to be KIA (Killed in Action) or remained classified as MIA (Missing in Action). They are listed in chronological order, starting at the apex and moving east, then starting again at the end of the western wall and returning to the apex at panel. Symbolically, this is described as a "wound that is closed and healing."

( http://vietnam-wall.myarmedforces.com/vietnam_wall_history.htm )

He wondered if what he had read was true, could this one memorial ‘bring the past and present together.’ Would he finally have his wound closed and healed?

He stood at a distance for the longest time watching as visitors entered, looked, stopped, touched the wall then moving on. He knew he was being watched also; he was in uniform. As the sun set and the visitors thinned he knew it was time.

He slowly walked down the path. With each step he took the sounds of the city disappeared. A quiet enveloped him, carrying him down the path. He saw the mementos left along the path, American flags waving in the cool night air, patches from various military division, notes of love and remembrance, ribbons and medals earned posthumously finally being given to whom they belonged. Candles flickered against the granite giving the entire memorial a serene feeling. The emotions that welled up inside him were almost overwhelming.

Before he left Pensacola, Captain Hawthorn had asked him if he was ready. He stopped, unsure if he was indeed ready for this moment. The calm, serene atmosphere gave him the courage he needed to continue. Five more steps, he turned to face the wall. The cold dark granite stood looming over him but he didn’t feel overwhelmed. He stood at attention, his eyes focused straight ahead. He could see his reflection in the dark stone and at the same time the name etched on the wall, his past and present coming together. He reached and touched the bracelet on his wrist, as he did most times when he thought of his father. It had been the bond with his dad for the past nine years. His hand moved toward the wall. Reaching its destination he felt it, the connection that had been missing from his life for the last fourteen year. Emotions overflowed as his eyes focused on the spot he had come to see.

HARMON RABB, SR +



“I haven’t forgotten you Dad and one day I’m going to find you and bring you home.”

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Replies:

[> Beautifully written usmgrad, and a fitting end to your trilogy, a sad tale for so many! Thanks for the repost. -- JoyZ, 11:11:30 12/23/13 Mon [1]


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[> So emotional and beautifully written. Thanks for sharing. -- Beth, 12:32:26 12/23/13 Mon [1]


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[> usmgrad, you've done a wonderful job with these parts of Harm's life. Such sorrow for a child and then as a young adult. Your research is also stated and quoted so well. inside -- carramor, 15:55:14 12/23/13 Mon [1]

Those of us who remember the Viet Nam years, still regard the whole situation as a huge mistake, and, yet, it seems we learned nothing from it. Thanks for sharing your talents with us once again. Merry Christmas to you and yours.


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[> Very touching story, beautifully written. A reminder that life is often bound up with loss. -- Dee, 23:29:45 12/23/13 Mon [1]


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[> Thank you so much for this repost of your heartwarming and heartwrenching story. It is beautifully written dear usmgrad. -- Can Sheshe, 19:42:32 12/31/13 Tue [1]


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