Begonya Plaza

Choozoo: We went up and down that pile of dirt for four days and four nights. Fixed bayonets, hand to hand. Fought 'em something fierce. They gave back as good as they got. Lots of men died. We were with the 23rd infantry. We joined the Corps later. Hell, we were even younger than you are.

Corporal 'Stitch' Jones: I never heard of no Heartbreak Ridge.

Choozoo: That's 'cause it ain't in any of the history books. Just a little piece of war. Place didn't even have a name, just a number. Stoney Jackson took one look up at it and said "Ladies, if this hill doesn't kill us it'll surely break our hearts."

Corporal 'Stitch' Jones: Who's Stoney Jackson?

Choozoo: Little Mary's husband. He was the one who recommended Highway for his Congressional Medal of Honor.

Corporal 'Stitch' Jones: Gunny Highway won the CMH?

Choozoo: He charged two machine gun nests by himself. He didn't sleep for three days. The final human wave he held off almost single-handedly. When it was over there was me, Stoney Jackson and Tom Highway. We were the only ones left alive.

Corporal 'Stitch' Jones: What happened to Jackson?

Choozoo: He was killed in Khe Sanh in '68.

Lieutenant M.R. Ring: [approaching platoon] Good morning, men!

[responding to salute]

Lieutenant M.R. Ring: Thank you, Gunny. What a marvelous day for a military exercise. Men, today we'll will execute an ambush on a numerically superior force using cover, interlocking fields of fire, and the natural aggressiveness of the United States Marine.

Corporal 'Stitch' Jones: You show me some poontang and I'll show you an aggressive Marine.

Lieutenant M.R. Ring: We will provide Major Powers and his elite fighting force an accessible target to sharpen their superior skills. This will be facilitated by the MILES gear that each man is wearing. As you know, when one of our men is shot this laser sensitive device emits a beeping noise.

Highway: Excuse me, Lieutenant, but are you suggesting that we don't fight back?

Lieutenant M.R. Ring: Well, no, Gunny, Major Powers like to use the Recon platoon as a training tool.

Highway: Well, what happens when these men have to go into combat and they're not prepared? They just get dead.

Lieutenant M.R. Ring: Yes, I see what you mean.

Highway: Have you spoken to Major Powers about this?

Lieutenant M.R. Ring: Let's move them out, Gunny.

Highway: Are you coming with us, Lieutenant?

Lieutenant M.R. Ring: Uh, no, Gunny. I have a doctor's appointment at 1100.

Highway: Well, let's hope it's not something that'll keep you out of the next war. Platoon, ten-hut! Sling arms! Right face! Forward march!