The_AT Things_NN2 They_PPHS2 Carried_VVD First_MD Lieutenant_NNB Jimmy_NP1 Cross_NP1 carried_VVD letters_NN2 from_II a_AT1 girl_NN1 named_VVN Martha_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 junior_JJ at_II Mount_NNL1 Sebastian_NP1 College_NN1 in_II New_NP1 Jersey_NP1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR not_XX love_NN1 letters_NN2 ,_, but_CCB Lieutenant_NNB Cross_NP1 was_VBDZ hoping_VVG ,_, so_CS he_PPHS1 kept_VVD them_PPHO2 folded_VVN in_II plastic_NN1 at_II the_AT bottom_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE rucksack_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT late_JJ afternoon_NNT1 ,_, after_CS a_AT1 day_NNT1 's_GE march_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 would_VM dig_VVI his_APPGE foxhole_NN1 ,_, wash_VV0 his_APPGE hands_NN2 under_II a_AT1 canteen_NN1 ,_, unwrap_VV0 the_AT letters_NN2 ,_, hold_VV0 them_PPHO2 with_IW the_AT tips_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE fingers_NN2 ,_, and_CC spend_VV0 the_AT last_MD hour_NNT1 of_IO light_NN1 pretending_VVG ._. 
He_PPHS1 would_VM imagine_VVI romantic_JJ camping_NN1 trips_VVZ into_II the_AT White_NP1 Mountains_NNL2 in_II New_NP1 Hampshire_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 would_VM sometimes_RT taste_VVI the_AT envelope_NN1 flaps_NN2 ,_, knowing_VVG her_APPGE tongue_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN there_RL ._. 
More_DAR than_CSN anything_PN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 wanted_VVD Martha_NP1 to_TO love_VVI him_PPHO1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 loved_VVD her_PPHO1 ,_, but_CCB the_AT letters_NN2 were_VBDR mostly_RR chatty_JJ ,_, elusive_JJ on_II the_AT matter_NN1 of_IO love_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 virgin_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ almost_RR sure_JJ ._. 
She_PPHS1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 English_JJ major_NN1 at_II Mount_NNL1 Sebastian_NP1 ,_, and_CC she_PPHS1 wrote_VVD beautifully_RR about_II her_APPGE professors_NN2 and_CC roommates_NN2 and_CC midterm_VV0 exams_NN2 ,_, about_II her_APPGE respect_NN1 for_IF Chaucer_NP1 and_CC her_APPGE great_JJ affection_NN1 for_IF Virginia_NP1 Woolf_NP1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 often_RR quoted_VVD lines_NN2 of_IO poetry_NN1 ;_; she_PPHS1 never_RR mentioned_VVD the_AT war_NN1 ,_, except_CS to_TO say_VVI ,_, Jimmy_NP1 ,_, take_VV0 care_NN1 of_IO yourself_PPX1 ._. 
The_AT letters_NN2 weighed_VVD 4_MC ounces_NNU2 ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR signed_VVN Love_NN1 ,_, Martha_NP1 ,_, but_CCB Lieutenant_NNB Cross_NP1 understood_VVD that_DD1 Love_NN1 was_VBDZ only_RR a_AT1 way_NN1 of_IO signing_NN1 and_CC did_VDD not_XX mean_VVI what_DDQ he_PPHS1 sometimes_RT pretended_VVD it_PPH1 meant_VVD ._. 
At_II dusk_NNT1 ,_, he_PPHS1 would_VM carefully_RR return_VVI the_AT letters_NN2 to_II his_APPGE rucksack_NN1 ._. 
Slowly_RR ,_, a_RR21 bit_RR22 distracted_VVN ,_, he_PPHS1 would_VM get_VVI up_RP and_CC move_VVI among_II his_APPGE men_NN2 ,_, checking_VVG the_AT perimeter_NN1 ,_, then_RT at_II full_JJ dark_NN1 he_PPHS1 would_VM return_VVI to_II his_APPGE hole_NN1 and_CC watch_VVI the_AT night_NNT1 and_CC wonder_VV0 if_CS Martha_NP1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 virgin_NN1 ._. 
The_AT things_NN2 they_PPHS2 carried_VVD were_VBDR largely_RR determined_VVN by_II necessity_NN1 ._. 
Among_II the_AT necessities_NN2 or_CC near-necessities_NN2 were_VBDR P-38_FO can_VM openers_NN2 ,_, pocket_NN1 knives_NN2 ,_, heat_NN1 tabs_NN2 ,_, wristwatches_NN2 ,_, dog_NN1 tags_NN2 ,_, mosquito_NN1 repellent_NN1 ,_, chewing_NN1 gum_NN1 ,_, candy_NN1 ,_, cigarettes_NN2 ,_, salt_NN1 tablets_NN2 ,_, packets_NN2 of_IO Kool-Aid_NP1 ,_, lighters_NN2 ,_, matches_NN2 ,_, sewing_VVG kits_NN2 ,_, Military_JJ Payment_NN1 Certificates_NN2 ,_, C_ZZ1 rations_NN2 ,_, and_CC two_MC or_CC three_MC canteens_NN2 of_IO water_NN1 ._. 
Together_RL ,_, these_DD2 items_NN2 weighed_VVN between_II 12_MC and_CC 18_MC pounds_NN2 ,_, depending_VVG upon_II a_AT1 man_NN1 's_GE habits_NN2 or_CC rate_NN1 of_IO metabolism_NN1 ._. 
Henry_NP1 Dobbins_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ a_AT1 big_JJ man_NN1 ,_, carried_VVD extra_JJ rations_NN2 ;_; he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ especially_RR fond_JJ of_IO canned_JJ peaches_NN2 in_II heavy_JJ syrup_NN1 over_II pound_NN1 cake_NN1 ._. 
Dave_NP1 Jensen_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS practiced_VVD field_NN1 hygiene_NN1 ,_, carried_VVD a_AT1 toothbrush_NN1 ,_, dental_JJ floss_NN1 ,_, and_CC several_DA2 hotel-sized_JJ bars_NN2 of_IO soap_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD stolen_VVN on_II R_ZZ1 &R;_NULL in_II Sydney_NP1 ,_, Australia_NP1 ._. 
Ted_NP1 Lavender_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ scared_JJ ,_, carried_VVD tranquilizers_NN2 until_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ shot_VVN in_II the_AT head_NN1 outside_II the_AT village_NN1 of_IO Than_CSN Khe_NN1 in_II mid-April_NPM1 ._. 
By_II necessity_NN1 ,_, and_CC because_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ SOP_NP1 ,_, they_PPHS2 all_DB carried_VVD steel_NN1 helmets_NN2 that_CST weighed_VVD 5_MC pounds_NN2 including_II the_AT liner_NN1 and_CC camouflage_VV0 cover_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 carried_VVD the_AT standard_JJ fatigue_NN1 jackets_NN2 and_CC trousers_NN2 ._. 
Very_RG few_DA2 carried_JJ underwear_NN1 ._. 
On_II their_APPGE feet_NN2 they_PPHS2 carried_VVD jungle_NN1 boots_NN2 --_NN1 2.1_MC pounds_NN2 --_NN1 and_CC Dave_NP1 Jensen_NP1 carried_VVD three_MC pairs_NN2 of_IO socks_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 can_NN1 of_IO Dr._NNB Scholl_NP1 's_GE foot_NN1 powder_NN1 as_II a_AT1 precaution_NN1 against_II trench_NN1 foot_NN1 ._. 
Until_CS he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ shot_VVN ,_, Ted_NP1 Lavender_NN1 carried_VVD 6_MC or_CC 7_MC ounces_NNU2 of_IO premium_JJ dope_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ for_IF him_PPHO1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 necessity_NN1 ._. 
Mitchell_NP1 Sanders_NP1 ,_, the_AT RTO_NN1 ,_, carried_VVD condoms_NN2 ._. 
Norman_NP1 Bowker_NP1 carried_VVD a_AT1 diary_NN1 ._. 
Rat_NN1 Kiley_NP1 carried_VVD comic_JJ books_NN2 ._. 
Kiowa_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 devout_JJ Baptist_NN1 ,_, carried_VVD an_AT1 illustrated_JJ New_JJ Testament_NN1 that_CST had_VHD been_VBN presented_VVN to_II him_PPHO1 by_II his_APPGE father_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS taught_VVD Sunday_NP1 school_NN1 in_II Oklahoma_NP1 City_NN1 ,_, Oklahoma_NP1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 hedge_NN1 against_II bad_JJ times_NNT2 ,_, however_RR ,_, Kiowa_NP1 also_RR carried_VVD his_APPGE grandmother_NN1 's_GE distrust_NN1 of_IO the_AT white_JJ man_NN1 ,_, his_APPGE grandfather_NN1 's_GE old_JJ hunting_NN1 hatchet_NN1 ._. 
Necessity_NN1 dictated_VVD ._. 
Because_CS the_AT land_NN1 was_VBDZ mined_VVN and_CC booby-_NN1 trapped_VVD ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ SOP_NN1 for_IF each_DD1 man_NN1 to_TO carry_VVI a_AT1 steel-centered_JJ ,_, nylon-covered_JJ flak_NN1 jacket_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ weighed_VVD 6.7_MC pounds_NN2 ,_, but_CCB which_DDQ on_II hot_JJ days_NNT2 seemed_VVD much_RR heavier_JJR ._. 
Because_CS you_PPY could_VM die_VVI so_RG quickly_RR ,_, each_DD1 man_NN1 carried_VVD at_RR21 least_RR22 one_MC1 large_JJ compress_NN1 bandage_NN1 ,_, usually_RR in_II the_AT helmet_NN1 band_NN1 for_IF easy_JJ access_NN1 ._. 
Because_CS the_AT nights_NNT2 were_VBDR cold_JJ ,_, and_CC because_CS the_AT monsoons_NN2 were_VBDR wet_JJ ,_, each_DD1 carried_VVD a_AT1 green_JJ plastic_NN1 poncho_NN1 that_CST could_VM be_VBI used_VVN as_II a_AT1 raincoat_NN1 or_CC groundsheet_NN1 or_CC makeshift_JJ tent_NN1 ._. 
With_IW its_APPGE quilted_JJ liner_NN1 ,_, the_AT poncho_NN1 weighed_VVD almost_RR 2_MC pounds_NN2 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ worth_II every_AT1 ounce_NNU1 ._. 
In_II April_NPM1 ,_, for_REX21 instance_REX22 ,_, when_CS Ted_NP1 Lavender_NN1 was_VBDZ shot_VVN ,_, they_PPHS2 used_VVD his_APPGE poncho_NN1 to_TO wrap_VVI him_PPHO1 up_RP ,_, then_RT to_TO carry_VVI him_PPHO1 across_II the_AT paddy_NN1 ,_, then_RT to_TO lift_VVI him_PPHO1 into_II the_AT chopper_NN1 that_CST took_VVD him_PPHO1 away_RL ._. 
They_PPHS2 were_VBDR called_VVN legs_NN2 or_CC grunts_NN2 ._. 
To_TO carry_VVI something_PN1 was_VBDZ to_TO hump_VVI it_PPH1 ,_, as_CSA when_CS Lieutenant_NNB Jimmy_NP1 Cross_NP1 humped_VVD his_APPGE love_NN1 for_IF Martha_NP1 up_II the_AT hills_NN2 and_CC through_II the_AT swamps_NN2 ._. 
In_II its_APPGE intransitive_JJ form_NN1 ,_, to_TO hump_VVI meant_VVN to_TO walk_VVI ,_, or_CC to_TO march_VVI ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 implied_VVD burdens_NN2 far_RR beyond_II the_AT intransitive_JJ ._. 
Almost_RR everyone_PN1 humped_VVD photographs_NN2 ._. 
In_II his_APPGE wallet_NN1 ,_, Lieutenant_NNB Cross_NP1 carried_VVD two_MC photographs_NN2 of_IO Martha_NP1 ._. 
The_AT first_MD was_VBDZ a_AT1 Kodacolor_NN1 snapshot_NN1 signed_VVD Love_NN1 ,_, though_CS he_PPHS1 knew_VVD better_RRR ._. 
She_PPHS1 stood_VVD against_II a_AT1 brick_NN1 wall_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE eyes_NN2 were_VBDR gray_JJ and_CC neutral_JJ ,_, her_APPGE lips_NN2 slightly_RR open_VV0 as_CSA she_PPHS1 stared_VVD straight-on_RR at_II the_AT camera_NN1 ._. 
At_II night_NNT1 ,_, sometimes_RT ,_, Lieutenant_NNB Cross_NP1 wondered_VVD who_PNQS had_VHD taken_VVN the_AT picture_NN1 ,_, because_CS he_PPHS1 knew_VVD she_PPHS1 had_VHD boyfriends_NN2 ,_, because_CS he_PPHS1 loved_VVD her_PPHO1 so_RG much_DA1 ,_, and_CC because_CS he_PPHS1 could_VM see_VVI the_AT shadow_NN1 of_IO the_AT picture-taker_NN1 spreading_VVG out_RP against_II the_AT brick_NN1 wall_NN1 ._. 
The_AT second_MD photograph_NN1 had_VHD been_VBN clipped_VVN from_II the_AT 1968_MC Mount_NNL1 Sebastian_NP1 yearbook_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 action_NN1 shot_VVN --_JJ women_NN2 's_GE volleyball_NN1 --_NN1 and_CC Martha_NP1 was_VBDZ bent_VVN horizontal_JJ to_II the_AT floor_NN1 ,_, reaching_VVG ,_, the_AT palms_NN2 of_IO her_APPGE hands_NN2 in_II sharp_JJ focus_NN1 ,_, the_AT tongue_NN1 taut_JJ ,_, the_AT expression_NN1 frank_JJ and_CC competitive_JJ ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ no_AT visible_JJ sweat_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 wore_VVD white_JJ gym_NN1 shorts_NN2 ._. 
Her_APPGE legs_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD ,_, were_VBDR almost_RR certainly_RR the_AT legs_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 virgin_NN1 ,_, dry_JJ and_CC without_IW hair_NN1 ,_, the_AT left_JJ knee_NN1 cocked_VVN and_CC carrying_VVG her_APPGE entire_JJ weight_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ just_RR over_RG 117_MC pounds_NN2 ._. 
Lieutenant_NNB Cross_NP1 remembered_VVD touching_VVG that_DD1 left_JJ knee_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 dark_JJ theater_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 remembered_VVD ,_, and_CC the_AT movie_NN1 was_VBDZ Bonnie_NP1 and_CC Clyde_NP1 ,_, and_CC Martha_NP1 wore_VVD a_AT1 tweed_NN1 skirt_NN1 ,_, and_CC during_II the_AT final_JJ scene_NN1 ,_, when_CS he_PPHS1 touched_VVD her_APPGE knee_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 turned_VVD and_CC looked_VVN at_II him_PPHO1 in_II a_AT1 sad_JJ ,_, sober_JJ way_NN1 that_CST made_VVD him_PPHO1 pull_VVI his_APPGE hand_NN1 back_NN1 ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 would_VM always_RR remember_VVI the_AT feel_NN1 of_IO the_AT tweed_NN1 skirt_NN1 and_CC the_AT knee_NN1 beneath_II it_PPH1 and_CC the_AT sound_NN1 of_IO the_AT gunfire_NN1 that_CST killed_VVD Bonnie_NP1 and_CC Clyde_NP1 ,_, how_RRQ embarrassing_JJ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, how_RRQ slow_JJ and_CC oppressive_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 remembered_VVD kissing_VVG her_APPGE good_JJ night_NNT1 at_II the_AT dorm_NN1 door_NN1 ._. 
Right_RR then_RT ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD ,_, he_PPHS1 should_VM 've_VHI done_VDN something_PN1 brave_JJ ._. 
He_PPHS1 should_VM 've_VHI carried_VVN her_PPHO1 up_II the_AT stairs_NN2 to_II her_APPGE room_NN1 and_CC tied_VVD her_PPHO1 to_II the_AT bed_NN1 and_CC touched_VVD that_CST left_JJ knee_NN1 all_DB night_NNT1 long_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 should_VM 've_VHI risked_VVN it_PPH1 ._. 
Whenever_RRQV he_PPHS1 looked_VVD at_II the_AT photographs_NN2 ,_, he_PPHS1 thought_VVD of_IO new_JJ things_NN2 he_PPHS1 should_VM 've_VHI done_VDN ._. 
What_DDQ they_PPHS2 carried_VVD was_VBDZ partly_RR a_AT1 function_NN1 of_IO rank_NN1 ,_, partly_RR of_IO field_NN1 specialty_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 first_MD lieutenant_NN1 and_CC platoon_NN1 leader_NN1 ,_, Jimmy_NP1 Cross_NN1 carried_VVD a_AT1 compass_NN1 ,_, maps_NN2 ,_, code_NN1 books_NN2 ,_, binoculars_NN2 ,_, and_CC a_AT1 .45-caliber_JJ pistol_NN1 that_CST weighed_VVD 2.9_MC pounds_NN2 fully_RR loaded_VVN ._. 
He_PPHS1 carried_VVD a_AT1 strobe_NN1 light_NN1 and_CC the_AT responsibility_NN1 for_IF the_AT lives_NN2 of_IO his_APPGE men_NN2 ._. 
As_II an_AT1 RTO_NN1 ,_, Mitchell_NP1 Sanders_NP1 carried_VVD the_AT PRC-25_MC radio_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 killer_NN1 ,_, 26_MC pounds_NN2 with_IW its_APPGE battery_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 medic_NN1 ,_, Rat_NN1 Kiley_NP1 carried_VVD a_AT1 canvas_NN1 satchel_NN1 filled_VVN with_IW morphine_NN1 and_CC plasma_NN1 and_CC malaria_NN1 tablets_NN2 and_CC surgical_JJ tape_NN1 and_CC comic_JJ books_NN2 and_CC all_DB the_AT things_NN2 a_AT1 medic_NN1 must_VM carry_VVI ,_, including_II M_NN1 &M's;_NULL for_IF especially_RR bad_JJ wounds_NN2 ,_, for_IF a_AT1 total_JJ weight_NN1 of_IO nearly_RR 18_MC pounds_NN2 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 big_JJ man_NN1 ,_, therefore_RR a_AT1 machine_NN1 gunner_NN1 ,_, Henry_NP1 Dobbins_NP1 carried_VVD the_AT M-60_FO ,_, which_DDQ weighed_VVD 23_MC pounds_NN2 unloaded_VVD ,_, but_CCB which_DDQ was_VBDZ almost_RR always_RR loaded_VVN ._. 
In_RR21 addition_RR22 ,_, Dobbins_NP1 carried_VVD between_II 10_MC and_CC 15_MC pounds_NN2 of_IO ammunition_NN1 draped_VVN in_II belts_NN2 across_II his_APPGE chest_NN1 and_CC shoulders_NN2 ._. 
As_CSA PFCs_NP1 or_CC Spec_NP1 4s_MC2 ,_, most_DAT of_IO them_PPHO2 were_VBDR common_JJ grunts_NN2 and_CC carried_VVD the_AT standard_NN1 M-16_FO gas-operated_JJ assault_NN1 rifle_NN1 ._. 
The_AT weapon_NN1 weighed_VVD 7.5_MC pounds_NN2 unloaded_VVD ,_, 8.2_MC pounds_NN2 with_IW its_APPGE full_JJ 20-round_JJ magazine_NN1 ._. 
Depending_II21 on_II22 numerous_JJ factors_NN2 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 topography_NN1 and_CC psychology_NN1 ,_, the_AT riflemen_NN2 carried_VVN anywhere_RL from_II 12_MC to_II 20_MC magazines_NN2 ,_, usually_RR in_II cloth_NN1 bandoliers_NN2 ,_, adding_VVG on_II another_DD1 8.4_MC pounds_NN2 at_II minimum_NN1 ,_, 14_MC pounds_NN2 at_II maximum_NN1 ._. 
When_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ available_JJ ,_, they_PPHS2 also_RR carried_VVN M-16_FO maintenance_NN1 gear_NN1 --_NN1 rods_NN2 and_CC steel_NN1 brushes_NN2 and_CC swabs_NN2 and_CC tubes_NN2 of_IO LSA_NP1 oil_NN1 --_NN1 all_DB of_IO which_DDQ weighed_VVD about_II a_AT1 pound_NN1 ._. 
Among_II the_AT grunts_NN2 ,_, some_DD carried_VVD the_AT M-79_FO grenade_NN1 launcher_NN1 ,_, 5.9_MC pounds_NN2 unloaded_VVD ,_, a_AT1 reasonably_RR light_JJ weapon_NN1 except_II21 for_II22 the_AT ammunition_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ heavy_JJ ._. 
A_AT1 single_JJ round_NN1 weighed_VVD 10_MC ounces_NNU2 ._. 
The_AT typical_JJ load_NN1 was_VBDZ 25_MC rounds_NN2 ._. 
But_CCB Ted_NP1 Lavender_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS was_VBDZ scared_JJ ,_, carried_VVD 34_MC rounds_NN2 when_RRQ he_PPHS1 was_VBDZ shot_VVN and_CC killed_VVN outside_RL Than_CSN Khe_NP1 ,_, and_CC he_PPHS1 went_VVD down_RP under_II an_AT1 exceptional_JJ burden_NN1 ,_, more_DAR than_CSN 20_MC pounds_NN2 of_IO ammunition_NN1 ,_, plus_II the_AT flak_NN1 jacket_NN1 and_CC helmet_NN1 and_CC rations_NN2 and_CC water_NN1 and_CC toilet_NN1 paper_NN1 and_CC tranquilizers_NN2 and_CC all_DB the_AT rest_NN1 ,_, plus_II the_AT unweighed_JJ fear_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 was_VBDZ dead_JJ weight_NN1 ._. 
There_EX was_VBDZ no_AT twitching_NN1 or_CC flopping_VVG ._. 
Kiowa_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS saw_VVD it_PPH1 happen_VVI ,_, said_VVD it_PPH1 was_VBDZ like_II watching_VVG a_AT1 rock_NN1 fall_VVI ,_, or_CC a_AT1 big_JJ sandbag_NN1 or_CC something_PN1 --_JJ just_JJ boom_NN1 ,_, then_RT down_RP --_NN1 not_XX like_II the_AT movies_NN2 where_RRQ the_AT dead_JJ guy_NN1 rolls_VVZ around_RP and_CC does_VDZ fancy_VVI spins_NN2 and_CC goes_VVZ ass_NN1 over_II teakettle_NN1 --_NN1 not_XX like_II that_DD1 ,_, Kiowa_NP1 said_VVD ,_, the_AT poor_JJ bastard_NN1 just_RR flat-fuck_JJ fell_NN1 ._. 
Boom_NN1 ._. 
Down_RP ._. 
Nothing_PN1 else_RR ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 bright_JJ morning_NNT1 in_II mid-April_NPM1 ._. 
Lieutenant_NNB Cross_NP1 felt_VVD the_AT pain_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 blamed_VVD himself_PPX1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 stripped_VVD off_II Lavender_NN1 's_GE canteens_NN2 and_CC ammo_NN1 ,_, all_DB the_AT heavy_JJ things_NN2 ,_, and_CC Rat_NN1 Kiley_NP1 said_VVD the_AT obvious_JJ ,_, the_AT guy_NN1 's_GE dead_JJ ,_, and_CC Mitchell_NP1 Sanders_NP1 used_VVD his_APPGE radio_NN1 to_TO report_VVI one_MC1 U.S._NP1 KIA_NP1 and_CC to_TO request_VVI a_AT1 chopper_NN1 ._. 
Then_RT they_PPHS2 wrapped_VVD Lavender_NN1 in_II his_APPGE poncho_NN1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 carried_VVD him_PPHO1 out_RP to_II a_AT1 dry_JJ paddy_NN1 ,_, established_VVD security_NN1 ,_, and_CC sat_VVD smoking_VVG the_AT dead_JJ man_NN1 's_GE dope_NN1 until_CS the_AT chopper_NN1 came_VVD ._. 
Lieutenant_NNB Cross_NP1 kept_VVD to_II himself_PPX1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 pictured_VVD Martha_NP1 's_GE smooth_JJ young_JJ face_NN1 ,_, thinking_VVG he_PPHS1 loved_VVD her_PPHO1 more_DAR than_CSN anything_PN1 ,_, more_RRR than_CSN his_APPGE men_NN2 ,_, and_CC now_RT Ted_NP1 Lavender_NN1 was_VBDZ dead_JJ because_CS he_PPHS1 loved_VVD her_PPHO1 so_RG much_DA1 and_CC could_VM not_XX stop_VVI thinking_VVG about_II her_PPHO1 ._. 
When_CS the_AT dustoff_NN1 arrived_VVD ,_, they_PPHS2 carried_VVD Lavender_NN1 aboard_RL ._. 
Afterward_RL they_PPHS2 burned_VVD Than_CSN Khe_NP1 ._. 
They_PPHS2 marched_VVD until_II dusk_NNT1 ,_, then_RT dug_VVD their_APPGE holes_NN2 ,_, and_CC that_DD1 night_NNT1 Kiowa_NP1 kept_VVD explaining_VVG how_RRQ you_PPY had_VHD to_TO be_VBI there_RL ,_, how_RRQ fast_RR it_PPH1 was_VBDZ ,_, how_RRQ the_AT poor_JJ guy_NN1 just_RR dropped_VVN like_II so_RG much_DA1 concrete_NN1 ._. 
Boom-down_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 said_VVD ._. 
Like_II cement_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ this_DD1 separate-but-together_RL quality_NN1 ,_, she_PPHS1 wrote_VVD ,_, that_CST had_VHD inspired_VVN her_PPHO1 to_TO pick_VVI up_RP the_AT pebble_NN1 and_CC to_TO carry_VVI it_PPH1 in_II her_APPGE breast_NN1 pocket_NN1 for_IF several_DA2 days_NNT2 ,_, where_RRQ it_PPH1 seemed_VVD weightless_JJ ,_, and_CC then_RT to_TO send_VVI it_PPH1 through_II the_AT mail_NN1 ,_, by_II air_NN1 ,_, as_CSA a_AT1 to-ken_NN1 of_IO her_APPGE truest_JJT feelings_NN2 for_IF him_PPHO1 ._. 
Lieutenant_NNB Cross_NP1 found_VVD this_DD1 romantic_JJ ._. 
But_CCB he_PPHS1 wondered_VVD what_DDQ her_APPGE truest_JJT feelings_NN2 were_VBDR ,_, exactly_RR ,_, and_CC what_DDQ she_PPHS1 meant_VVD by_II separate-but-together_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 wondered_VVD how_RRQ the_AT tides_NN2 and_CC waves_NN2 had_VHD come_VVN into_II play_NN1 on_II that_DD1 afternoon_NNT1 along_II the_AT Jersey_NP1 shoreline_VV0 when_RRQ Martha_NP1 saw_VVD the_AT pebble_NN1 and_CC bent_VVD down_RP to_TO rescue_VVI it_PPH1 from_II geology_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 imagined_VVD bare_JJ feet_NN2 ._. 
Martha_NP1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 poet_NN1 ,_, with_IW the_AT poet_NN1 's_GE sensibilities_NN2 ,_, and_CC her_APPGE feet_NN2 would_VM be_VBI brown_JJ and_CC bare_JJ ,_, the_AT toenails_NN2 unpainted_JJ ,_, the_AT eyes_NN2 chilly_JJ and_CC somber_JJ like_II the_AT ocean_NN1 in_II March_NPM1 ,_, and_CC though_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ painful_JJ ,_, he_PPHS1 wondered_VVD who_PNQS had_VHD been_VBN with_IW her_PPHO1 that_DD1 afternoon_NNT1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 imagined_VVD a_AT1 pair_NN of_IO shadows_NN2 moving_VVG along_II the_AT strip_NN1 of_IO sand_NN1 where_RRQ things_NN2 came_VVD together_RL but_CCB also_RR separated_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 was_VBDZ phantom_JJ jealousy_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 knew_VVD ,_, but_CCB he_PPHS1 could_VM n't_XX help_VVI himself_PPX1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 loved_VVD her_PPHO1 so_RG much_DA1 ._. 
On_II the_AT march_NN1 ,_, through_II the_AT hot_JJ days_NNT2 of_IO early_JJ April_NPM1 ,_, he_PPHS1 carried_VVD the_AT pebble_NN1 in_II his_APPGE mouth_NN1 ,_, turning_VVG it_PPH1 with_IW his_APPGE tongue_NN1 ,_, tasting_JJ sea_NN1 salt_NN1 and_CC moisture_NN1 ._. 
His_APPGE mind_NN1 wandered_VVD ._. 
He_PPHS1 had_VHD difficulty_NN1 keeping_VVG his_APPGE attention_NN1 on_II the_AT war_NN1 ._. 
On_II occasion_NN1 he_PPHS1 would_VM yell_VVI at_II his_APPGE men_NN2 to_TO spread_VVI out_RP the_AT column_NN1 ,_, to_TO keep_VVI their_APPGE eyes_NN2 open_VV0 ,_, but_CCB then_RT he_PPHS1 would_VM slip_VVI away_RL into_II daydreams_NN2 ,_, just_RR pretending_VVG ,_, walking_VVG barefoot_JJ along_II the_AT Jersey_NP1 shore_NN1 ,_, with_IW Martha_NP1 ,_, carrying_VVG nothing_PN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 would_VM feel_VVI himself_PPX1 rising_VVG ._. 
Sun_NN1 and_CC waves_NN2 and_CC gentle_JJ winds_NN2 ,_, all_DB love_NN1 and_CC lightness_NN1 ._. 
When_CS a_AT1 mission_NN1 took_VVD them_PPHO2 to_II the_AT mountains_NN2 ,_, they_PPHS2 carried_VVD mosquito_NN1 netting_NN1 ,_, machetes_NN2 ,_, canvas_NN1 tarps_NN2 ,_, and_CC extra_JJ bug_NN1 juice_NN1 ._. 
If_CS a_AT1 mission_NN1 seemed_VVD especially_RR hazardous_JJ ,_, or_CC if_CS it_PPH1 involved_VVD a_AT1 place_NN1 they_PPHS2 knew_VVD to_TO be_VBI bad_JJ ,_, they_PPHS2 carried_VVD everything_PN1 they_PPHS2 could_VM ._. 
Toe_NN1 Poppers_NN2 and_CC Bouncing_JJ Betties_NP2 ,_, they_PPHS2 took_VVD turns_NN2 humping_VVG a_AT1 28-pound_JJ mine_NN1 detector_NN1 ._. 
With_IW its_APPGE headphones_NN2 and_CC big_JJ sensing_NN1 plate_NN1 ,_, the_AT equipment_NN1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 stress_NN1 on_II the_AT lower_JJR back_NN1 and_CC shoulders_NN2 ,_, awkward_JJ to_TO handle_VVI ,_, often_RR useless_JJ because_II21 of_II22 the_AT shrapnel_NN1 in_II the_AT earth_NN1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 carried_VVD it_PPH1 anyway_RR ,_, partly_RR for_IF safety_NN1 ,_, partly_RR for_IF the_AT illusion_NN1 of_IO safety_NN1 ._. 
