Back in the early 90's when I was in the Army I had a bunch of good friends; however, one stood out - Marcus Fiumefreddo. He is a German born guy who ended up living in the states and enlisting in the US Army while still a German citizen. Our first meeting occurred one morning when he was on "Fire Guard" and I was late for PT formation due to excessive partying the night before.
All the guys in our unit called Marcus "Fred" because the letters "fred" were buried in the middle of his last name. Typically, in the Army everyone is identified by their last name but his was so long we just shortened it to Fred. He is also an artist - though he never seems to want to admit it - specifically he typically drew fantasy art; dragons, elves, superheros, etc. It was his drawing ability that drew my eye to his desk that first morning we met. I was rushing to get out to PT and he was doodling on a notepad. I think it was a dragon but whatever it was it was cool enough to stop me in my tracks and, subsequently, get me in more trouble for being even later to PT because I was gawking at a piece of paper.
Pretty much, from that morning on, the two of us were inseparable so long as we (read: he) were not dating anyone. We did everything together; partied hard in Juarez, went to Saudi and gave Spc Livengood endless hell, got in trouble, nearly wrecked a few different trucks, painted lines in remote parking lots, played chicken, had rock fights, went to concerts, and generally just had fun.
One of his favorite stories to tell is of when we first got back from Saudi. We all had some money saved up from our sixth month deployment so Fred went out and tried to buy a new car. I think it was a Hyundai. It was late on a Friday when he went to the dealer so they couldn't process his financing application in time for the weekend. However, the dealer was certain he would be approved and suggested he take the car home for the weekend. It was our first weekend back in the states and everyone in the unit was eager to get some booze and party. I had bought a small bottle of vodka and a small bottle of gin and a big thing of juice which I subsequently drank before we even went out to the club - I was feeling really good.
Once we got to the club I opened a tab and we started to drink and found some girls to dance with. Things were going great - though I was getting really, really drunk. Finally the girls suggested we go somewhere else (back to the barracks I think) and Fred and I were ready to go. The three of them stood up and then looked at me enquiring if I was coming. I said "sure" but didn't move. I was too, I'm ashamed to admit, too drunk to really be doing anything at that point. The girls were disappointed and left. Fred got the bouncer to help get me to his sparkling new Hyundai and into the passenger seat. I buckled up. He told me that I was not allowed to throw up in his car. I assured him I would not. He drove through the parking lot, hit a speed bump, and I immediately threw up. I tried to aim out of the window but I'm not sure it was open. His new car was scarred. You can't get that smell out. It just can't be done.
That night I was as drunk as I have ever been. Once he got me back to the barracks he had the fire guard that night help drag me down to my room. I tried to refuse to get out of bed for the rest of the weekend but he and our friend Spc Meadows insisted I get up and get some food. Fred tried to clean out his car but couldn't. It was still nasty looking and stinky when we got up for work on Monday morning. When we got back from the motor pool for lunch Fred had a message waiting for him from the Hyundai dealership - his credit had been denied. That afternoon Fred took the car, vomit and all, back to the dealership. It was priceless.
I got out of the Army back in the mid 90's but Fred stayed on. He was working on getting his citizenship (if he got out beforehand he would have had to go back to Germany). I pretty much lost contact with all of my Army friends; Fred, Ellington, Oswald, Epps, Turner, Anderson, etc. They were all great guys but it just wasn't easy to stay in touch. However, every once in a while Fred and I would still communicate but that was very sporadic and only happened once every few years. Fred in the meantime got stationed in Hawaii, deployed to Haiti, got his citizenship, stationed in Colorado, deployed to Germany, and stationed in Ft Hood Texas.
Yesterday, however, we spoke on the phone again. I really don't remember the last time we spoke - though I think it was before Emily (now 4) was born. It was good to hear from my old friend and to know he is doing well. He only has a few more years left before he can retire from the Army now; which is kind of crazy to think about (I'd be a year or two closer to retiring if I had stayed in) and I'm only 35. Hopefully, this time around, we do a better job of staying in touch.