Its been two months since we arrived at the Frontline, the battle was intense and all sides were really weary of the war as a result of huge casualties suffered by both Waring sides.
I was among those working as technicians on our equipment, female soldiers worked as radio operators and other duties that did not directly put them in harm's way. We were in the all blacks battalion commanded by Black Jack. Unlike the French and British, we didn't dig trenches, we fought and advanced into the enemies' lines, though at a price. We lost men while pushing through the enemy lines, the battle were bloody with men dying.
We continued whiles gaining ground and pushing the enemies backwards, victory was imminent, the days of glorious triumph was inching closer and each passing day draws it closer.
* * *
It was in the evening, while resting and recuperating from the fatigue and horrors of battles Ike visited. He was at the forefront of the battle field with Bush. Both men looked harden and bony, not from hunger - but from the horror of war. Everyone were already horror stricken, everyday men die for us to advance further. No one knows who we'll die next and under which circumstance would the person die, but bravery and surpassed fears. Despite the death threat and death toll faced, the all blacks kept on fighting with an unditared Spirit, we were not born to be cowards. We are Africans, we are warriors, we are born to brace and challenge death itself.
I remember a statement made by the then secretary of war, Stanton. Stanton said, "Blacks have proved themselves among the bravest of the brave, performing deeds of daring and shedding blood with a heroism, unsurpassed by soldiers of any race". This statement were the exact definition of the blacks during the war, the sacrifices they made and the blood they poured to ensure the battle is won.
"Seems like the war will end soon", Bush announced as he sat down.
"So I heard too", I enjoined while Ike sat down still with saying a word. The young lad appeared to be lost in thoughts.
"Thinking about family?", Bush nudged Ike who shook his head.
"Then what?", Bush pressed on.
"Thinking about lots of things", Ike began while I watched him.
"Things like...?", I cut in.
"Post war era, the life of the black man after the war", Ike sat up staring at me.
"What about it?",, Bush queried.
"Doe it not bother you how we are segerated? Even in warfront we are segerated. At home blacks are discriminated, they are looked down upon and mobbed they death. They died fighting during the civil war, to keep the union together and also for their freedom from slavery. What was their rewards afterwards? Your guess is as good as mine. Here we are again, fighting in a war that does not concern is, but we volunteered because we believe in democracy and freedom and want the world to be a better place. The big question is; after the war, what lays ahead for the black man? Are we going back home to a better treatment or return back to further segeration and racial discrimination I'm the hands of those we helped during the war? Are we still going to serve as lower class beings in the society? Will our efforts and sacrifices be in vain? Will our wives and children be treated well I'm markets places and in schools? These and many more other questions keeps popping up my head Everytime", Ike complained bitterly as he adjusted a bit.
"I think these questions raises by this lad is deep", A voice sounded from behind us, holding his riffle while looking at us casually before continuing speaking.
"All my life I have been met with such treatment, I remember being rejected for a job offer...not once, not twice and when I managed to secure a job, it was always the lowest paid job and the payment weren't always constant", The officer lamented as he took a seat.
"That's terribly sad, but we hope and pray things gets better for the black man after the war", Bush murmured as we all sat in silence for some time. Everyone to his thoughts and imagination.
"Do you have a family?", The officer asked Bush who nodded.
"I have an aged mother to care for", Bush replied while Ike fidgeted in his bag.
"And you?", The officer asked Ike.
"I am a married man, I have a son. Still very young and tender when I left home", Ike answered proudly while the officer smiled.
"And you?", He directed the question to me.
"He is my grandson", I answered pointing at Ike. "My son is a sea man and sails between continents on military and civil assignments, my wife is at home with my grandson's wife and my great grandson", I smiled at the officer who looked at me baffled.
"Great...grandson?", He asked to be sure he heard me right.
"Yes, great grandson", I answered him with a smile.
"You don't look like a man that'd be that old", The officer began.
"Probably because you don't recognize him", Bush cuts in.
"Really...", Ike cuts in mischievously.
"This is Morris, Boris' younger brother. They both participated in the war against slavery and subsequently the civil war", Bush informed the officer whose face turns into that of recognition.
"Little wonder I thought his face looks familiar", The officer began, "But I thought the said he died during the struggle".
"No, it's his brother that died during the struggle. Morris went into seclusion and led a very private life afterwards", Bush elaborated, while the officer nodded in understand.
"I think I understand it better now, putting into consideration everything that happened after the civil war. The post war violence and discrimination against the blacks and all. I my own opinion, you made the right decision of staying low, away from all those shits. I remember watching my dad getting lynched to death before my very eyes and I couldn't do anything to save him. I was a helpless little boy then, his only offence was getting a job where they whites were crying they couldn't get job. I was very young then, should be 5 or 6 years old, but I remember vividly every detail of event that occured that day. I could not help, but watch with helplessness as life was gradually taken away from him by the frustrated mobs who vented their anger on a single man", The officer recalled as he stood up.
"That's terrible", Ike intoned.
"If you've been treated so badly by them in the past, why did you then volunteer to help them in their cause?", Bush asked the officer who stopped and turned back facing Bush.
"Because it is in the nature of the black man to help others when the need arises, and we are warriors. Warriors never back down from battle, and most importantly...to prove to them that the black man have lots more to offer to the society and the world at large if given the chance. We are not black monkeys or apes as they view us to be, we are humans...same as they and capable of thinking and making decisions and also Changing the world", The officer replied Bush and turned around walking toward another direction. But stopped briefly and called out to Ike, "No matter how hard it'd seem, try as much as possible to return home safely to you wife and innocent son", before walking away.
"Such a weird fellow", Bush started.
"Situation changes a man, he have suffered and gone through alot", Ike cut in.
"He might have, but still...he is a good man", I tapped Ike on the shoulders while eyeing Bush.
"This war will soon be over, then we'll all return home", Bush chirped in.
"I heard the Russians are already having a peace talk after pulling out , due to the revolution going on in their country", Ike announced.
"That was since, for once you're behind in getting current information", i mocked Ike who only smiled.
"The allies also have broke through German lines on their part, and we are pushing them back daily. With the way things are going now, the war will be over sooner than we all can even imagine.
* * *
The following week, the troops were alerted by an excited soldier who announced that the war was over. That the Germans have surrendered after agreeing to the terms placed down by the allied forces.
We began preparation to leave the battlefield, packing all our equipment in readiness to leave the Frontline. Months of fighting had worn out many young men, Ike and Bush were shadows of themselves. Bush lost and eye while Ike's left arm was broken and was in bandage. Generally, some survived with minor injuries, others with serious injuries and many died. Worst still, a disease was looming, the influenza.
The day we all set sail back home, there were mix feelings. Although many batch of soldiers have been transported home, many more where still waiting to be shipped home. This was due to lack of vessels and ships and the few available ones were smaller in sizes. The ship that dialed us home was that which was captained by Agufia, what a coincidence. He met us, invites hmus to his Captain's cabin where we all say down to exchange talks on how the war went, Ike and his father we're cool now and everyone looked forward to arriving home.
* * *
It's been a month since we all arrived back on the American soil from the war front, but didn't go homee and weren't permitted yet. The influenza was ravaging and we had to kept in isolation for a month and those affected managed. Bush died as a result of being affected. The officer at the Frontline died a week after we arrived, he was all smiles while breathing his last. Ike's broken arm was healing gradually and we were okayed to return home.
The evening we arrived home in a rented boat (for Agufia had retired from seafaring), everyone was happy. Catherine couldn't believe her eyes, Impi and Ima were now bigger and fresher. The joy on their faces were out of this world.
* * *
Two years after we returned home, Agufia dies in his sleep. He had refused to remarry, Catherine took solace in her grandson. It wasn't easy moving on, the lost was heavy but we all tried.
"One day, we'll all be dead and it'd be our descendants that will tell our story to the world", Catherine murmured one evening to me while We were sitting together having a quite time.
"Very true, but before then, I pray things gets better", i replied Catherine who smiled lovingly and rested her head on my shoulders.
* * *
It's been 20 years now after the war, I'm beginning to feel my days on Earth coming to an end. Catherine was also old but strong.
Catherine's words, 'One day, we'll all be dead and it'd be our descendants that will tell our story to the world'. 20 years down the line her words to me were full of Message. I've grown older and weaker, my boys were bigger and stronger.
It was in the evening when I called everyone together, I wanted to bid them farewell.
I sat down on my bed, took my diary and wrote the concluding part of my story in it. Handed it over to Ike.
"My son...who is your father should have been the one to handle this, but since he is no more. It falls to you, pass it on to your son and your son to his son till the next generations. This might be my last night with you all, I'll be joining my brother soon. When I die, bury me where my brother was buried, beside his grave. After that, you're all to relocate to Georgia.", I instructed them while they all looked at me with tears in their eyes.
"I will grandpa", Ike replied.
"I must admit, it had been a sweet memoriable lifetime with you my husband. If I'm to return back again, I'll marry you over and over again", Catherine kissed my cheek while I smiled.
"Ike, only relocate to Georgia when your grandma join me. Ensure you bury her close by my grave too, take care of Impi. Love and cherish her like I did your grandma, as your dad loved your mom. And even refused getting married again, never hurt her. Here...", I handed Ike some documents, " ...Are documents to a house and land I purchased in Georgia. Everything is in your name, those documents are backed legally and you won't have issues relocating. That said, I wish you all the very best in life, I've played my part, now i must join my ancestors", I concluded as I sat quitely.
"I love you grandpa, I'll miss you. I promise to love Ike same way grandma loved you", Impi hug me while crying.
"I'll miss you great grandpa", Ima intoned as he sat closer to me. My boy was a man now, all grown up with thick beards like my son Agufia, he was his replica.
Gradually, I laid down while Catherine nodded to me as though knowing the hour has come. Closed my eyes as I found myself drifting to a world beyond, filled with total peace. What ever the future brings, is left for my descendants to handle, I on my side I've played my part in trying to make the world a better place.