Laurels Literary Magazine Spring 2014 | Page 98

of his wife’s chicken cacciatore. Most of all, he remembered the loving embrace of his family as he walked in the door after a hard day’s work. Knowing that life was only worth living when there was something to live for, Cabot made the decision to fight for his chance to return home to his loving family. A barrage of frag grenades detonated remarkably close to Cabot and caused him jump back to reality with the sound of bells ringing in his ears. Struggling to raise his Model 1903 Springfield sniper rifle, Cabot peered through his scout scope to hunt down the Nazi soldiers. Seeing a box-shaped helmet in between the cross-hairs of his scope, he squeezed the trigger of his rifle with a steady pull and sent a .30-06 bullet through the jugular of an unsuspecting enemy soldier. With a sudden stroke of courage, Cabot climbed the rock wall behind enemy territory and worked the bolt-action of the rifle with extraordinary speed. He brought down three more Nazi soldiers before reaching the base of the cliff. Clambering up over the side of the steep overhang, he signaled his fellow warriors to follow him behind enemy lines. Unbeknownst Nazi soldiers continued to face the beachfront while the Marines surreptitiously aimed their weapons for an underhand assault. The enemy outnumbered the Americans, but without a moment’s hesitation, the Allied soldiers unleashed the fury of their firearms upon the Axis powers. After revealing their position, the enemy repositioned their attack for the sneaky convoy. “Hit the dirt!” Cabot yelled as he detected the new assault. Three enemy MG-42s were pointed towards the band of brothers. Their deaths were surely near. As they braced for the impact of the ripping bone saws, they could hear nearby aircraft. With meager seconds to spare, Martin B-26 Marauders dropped an onslaught of explosives upon the Axis forces. When Private Cabot re-awoke, the fragrance of oleander and lilac floated in the air. A bright white hue pressed through his eyelids. His body felt weightless and he could hear the sound of birds chirping with joyful gaiety. Before he opened his eyes, he could feel a warm embrace from what seemed to be his son and wife. Finally opening his eyes, he read the words, “Expect miracles” molded in an awe-inspiring pearly gate. 98