Chapter 9
Crawfordton
The body had already been laid to rest. But Logan "Angel" Howard wanted to conduct a special memorial service for Captain Henry Miller.
The service took place in the usual place, Mrs. Welch's garage. But it was called "church", not "garage", because that was who met there. The church was an organization of people, not the name of a building. But naturally, many started calling the garage a "church" and others scoffed at the idea of a garage being a church.
About 200 souls were present for the church service. This was a number higher than anyone in Crawfordton had ever seen; even though the population had decreased from its high; and even though the weather was cold with some snow and rain mix.
Tammy White was in the front row. She was especially distraught, unable to find any meaning in the event.
Next to her was her friend and co-worker, "Doctor" Aliyah Williams. Aliyah knew Henry for a long time. She wondered if her husband, Elijah was dead, alone somewhere, or if something would happen to him.
Colonel Jayden Phipps and his wife, Ella were both near the front. Colonel Phipps had always felt inadequate in his role as a military leader. And now Henry, who was a great asset, would no longer be around to be counted on.
Everyone from the Crawford House was there, including Angela, who was on her best behavior. She wondered if there were tactics that were not followed or a prayer that was not offered, resulting in Henry's death. Ayanna believed that somehow, Henry's death could have been averted.
The service opened in prayer. Thanks was given that God had sent Captain Henry Miller to their Community, and that Henry was a blessing. The preacher gave further instances that Henry was a good man and gave of himself for others.
Angel said to the congregation, "But no one gets to God's Heaven by works! In other words, you cannot earn your way into Heaven. This is because no one is perfect. People like to say that 'church people' are a bunch of hypocrites. Well, some are. But that should not keep anyone from becoming a Christian. In these times it is more important than ever. I want every person here right now to listen closely."
"I want to read to you from the Bible, from the Book of John, Chapter 3. 'Nicodemus said unto Him, How can a man be borne when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be borne? '
'Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.'"
Angel finished the scripture reading. He paused for a moment, gathering himself.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, You must be born again! I am happy to report to you that I know Henry Miller believed on the Lord Jesus Christ for his own Salvation. Last year Henry made his confession through prayer, led by our beloved Brother Tim Crawford, who is now with Brother Henry Miller right now in Heaven!"
Several "A-Men's" were heard through the congregation.
Angel continued, "Our loss is Heaven's gain! But what about you?! Will you accept God's free gift of Salvation? He sent His Son Jesus to die for you on the Cross. What will you do? Every person who was ever created was meant to accept Jesus. Seem too good to be true? Satan wants you to think that. Put that stinking thought out of your head right now. You don't know more than God. I am asking all of you who would like to have someone pray with you to come forward."
Several people made their way to the front of the crowd wanting to settle their spiritual accounts with God.
A prayer was offered again for thanks for Henry, that souls came to salvation, and that God protected many others.
Tammy was clearly heartbroken with Henry's passing, yet from her spiritual side, she felt deep down inexplicable joy that she was one of those who was instrumental in helping to bring Henry to the Lord. When she thought of Henry from any of those perspectives, it led to more tears. There is never a guarantee on anyone's future, no matter what the plans are.
A few days later, the widow Sophia Thomas and her two young boys came calling to the Crawford House looking for Phil. In the past she had looked upon Phil with plenty of suspicion, and did not like the direction he was allowing her boys' education to go.
Phil stepped outside the House to greet her. Phil knew that Sophia's husband, Noah, was killed in Delburg. Sophia came back to their Crawfordton home just before it was going up on the public auction block. Their House, directly across the road from the Crawford's place, was also severely damaged during the Battle of Crawfordton, but anything was better than living in the tyrannical people's republic of Delburg where her husband was murdered and she was badly beaten and raped. If she were to return there, she and her boys would be in grave danger.
"Sophia."
"Hi Phil. Phil. . .I just want to say, I know you don't want us to ever ask you for anything, and you say we are liberals, but. . ." She couldn't continue.
"Yes?" Phil was steadfastly not interested in handouts to anyone.
"My boys, Phil. . .I lost my husband to . . .I don't know. . .," She started crying.
Phil had to hold her as she was practically doubling over. Phil was afraid of what she may want.
"Phil, will you train my boys?"
"Train them?"
"Yes. Shooting, army stuff, growing food. Everything. I don't want my boys to go down without a fight."
"Yes. Yes I will. If they want to learn, and if they do what I say, send them over every day."
The next day Phil told of the agreed upon plan to Amy.
"Phil, I thought Sophia didn't want anything to do with that sort of thing."
"You crazy women like to change your dang minds."
"It sounds like to me that you are starting to run some kind of ROTC in our little school. Is that really what you want?"
Phil looked stunned. Then he realized that the notion was a perfect idea. "Yes. I am going to run a military academy. Except it won't be in our school. Oh, they can get their regular classes there, but then they will get their military schooling over at Fort Wilcox."
Amy didn't know what to say. She knew that after his injury from the assassination attempt God had some bigger purpose for the old rascal. Her old rascal.
Within a couple of days the newly organized garrison for Fort Wilcox arrived. This would change everything. One way or the other. Phil was a little concerned about Ayanna's conceivable "big army" scenario.
The new commander of the Garrison was Captain Mark Anderson. Anderson walked with a serious limp and dressed sloppy, even for an apocalyptic disaster.
Phil was not impressed; so far. Why would the Confederation send that guy to their best Fort to garrison. But Phil had an open mind. "Captain," Phil said, "I am looking to start a military academy here. I want to allocate an area in the Fort for that purpose."
Captain Anderson had a hacking cough. "You mean, bring kids here?"
"Yea, future soldiers."
"No way. No kids."
"Fine, let's not work together and see who looks like they can't get along."
"Let me tell you something gramps! Are you threatening me?"
"How stupid are you?! You'd look like quite the wimp when they found out an old man laid you out!"
Just then Angela came to join Phil, like usual. She saw the red-faced roosters. She asked the Captain, "Are you ready for the big attack yet?"
"What?!" Anderson asked.
"You got a big fort here. If the Axis bastards want to attack, do you think they are going to ignore this place?"
"Whaaaaat?" Anderson asked. He felt like he was listening to one of the Confederation Generals in a little girl's body.
"You're screwed. We might as well start digging your damn graves right now." Angela said, walking away shaking her head.
"Cadet!" Phil said to Angela. "Show some respect for your Captain!"
Angela stood at attention and saluted Anderson as she had seen so many do at their house. "Sorry Captain, for telling you things you don't want to hear." Angela held her salute.
Phil sighed. "Including that!"
"Sorry sir." Angela was happy that she was being treated like a real soldier. Albeit that she was catching hell like one.
"Dismissed," Phil said.
Angela dropped her salute and turned away.
"Her eyes," Anderson said, swallowing hard. "They are like they are looking right into you. You. . .You tell her to say all that?"
"Friend, I have no control over her at all. Where do you want us to put our stuff?" Phil asked.
"She talks like she's possessed by some General."
Phil said, "You mean a sixth century Chinese one?"
Captain Anderson was half listening while he stared at Angela, who was walking away. He said, "Um. . .over there. Put your stuff over there will be fine, for now, I guess. The Colonel is coming in a couple of weeks and we'll see what he says about having kids in here."
The area Anderson picked out was at the back wall. Phil thought it was probably the same place he would have chosen. Phil left, happy over the acceptance of the Academy. He looked for Angela. "Cadet!"
Angela turned and saluted the most casual of salutes. "Yes sir."
"Cadet, I can't be calling you "Cadet Angela". It just sounds bad. What is your real last name?"
"Cadet Crawford, sir."
Phil was tired of everything being called "Crawford", but he would make an exception on this one. He gave her a hug. She hugged him back and they both started laughing at the scene that they had caused.