My friend, Aurelio Orlandini, flew Huey helicopters in Vietnam. His chopper was shot down, leaving him so severely wounded he was zipped into a body bag. Lucky for us, someone noticed he was breathing. The world would be a dim place without Mr. Orlandini’s stories and broad smile. My 100 words are dedicated to him and all the men and women who serve and have served our country.
Thanks to J. Hardy Carroll for this poignant picture and to Rochelle for posting it.
Two months ago Aurelio Orlandini came five seconds close to being zipped into a body bag – chest bleeding, legs broken. Luckily the guy manning the zipper shouted, “Dude’s movin’! Medevac him!” Forget the damn wounds, one more pull of the zipper, he’d have suffocated inside a big black bag.
The hospital sheets are better than sex. Sweet and soft. Best of all, they don’t care what position (mainly flat on his back) or disposition (generally angry with pain) he’s in.
Then again, there’s that nurse who brings the mail. A real blonde cutie. Nope, Aurelio thinks, I’m not dead yet.
Up From the Ashes 
The man is on the mend again. Nice story Alicia, good job.
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Thanks!
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Great and poignant story about Aurelio. Glad he was rescued and glad you told the story inspired by the picture prompt.
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Thanks, Rea Ann, I remember when he told us about the body bag, during the time Hueys were coming and going as we broke down the site at Ozette. One of the men helping us – also a Viet Nam vet – freaked out, ran into the grass and started screaming about being covered with blood. Aurelio, who had counseled vets, talked him down then told us his story.
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What an incredible tale!
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Yeah. We were lucky to keep him in our world.
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A heart warming story. Some were lucky, others not.
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Indeed. Thanks.
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Dear Alicia,
I loved it all, your introduction to your friend, your story and best of all that last line that made me laugh out loud. Good job.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks, Rochelle. I’m not sure if he actually thought this, but knowing Aurelio, he probably did.
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A nice tribute to your friend and I am glad he made it.
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O-boy-o-boy, me, too! Thanks, Deborah.
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Great and inspirational story, glad to know it’s true. And even a real blonde cutie yet!
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Thanks, Perry. Aurelio is one of my best pals even though we live on opposite sides of these United States. Thanks for reading. Alicia
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This was awesome Alicia.
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Thank you very much.
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ha ha. Light and airy writing that still shows the depths of a soldier’s life. Nicely done.
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Why thank you. I’ve always loved Aurelio’s tale.
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Love it on every level. Sometimes, it’s just not your time to go. My favorite FF so far today.
Tracey
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Wow! Thank you.
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What a great tale he lived to tell! And he’s got spunk to boot! I love Aurelio! He’s my kind of guy!
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He does have spunk. I met him years after this happened ~ while we were doing archaeology together. He never wore his turmoil on his sleeve. Love him for that.
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Seriously my kind of person!
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A lucky escape. Loved your last line!
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Thank you. There’ nothing like a blonde cutie to bring a young soldier back to life.
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I think we appreciate life more when we’ve come so close to losing it. My greetings to your friend for his sacrifice.
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Thank you, I’ll pass your greetings on. And I thoroughly agree with your sentiment.
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Lucky to be alive; unlucky to be born in the “policeman of the world”.
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You’re so right. Thanks for reading.
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What a great story for Veterans Day–or any other day!!!
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Thank you, Jan. His story really sticks with me because I’m sure it’s one of a bazillion that should be told before they’re all lost. Alicia
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Alicia, your story made me smile. The hospital sheets are better than sex. Sweet and soft. I have to remember those sentences so I can pass them onto my still nursing friends. 🙂
Lily
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I’m glad! This was meant to bring a smile.
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i agree. he’s not dead yet. i could see him rising to the occasion. 🙂
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Ooohhh! That statement can be taken so many different ways. Thanks for reading.
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I love it when these photo evoke a personal story, and this is one of the best I’ve read. Well done.
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Thanks, Russell. I’m glad you liked it. : – )
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Wow, what a story, Alicia! It’s amazing how close he came to being zipped up in a bag. I love the line about the bed sheets. Coming that close to death puts things into perspective. 🙂
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I’m pleased you like the line about the sheets. I imagine clean and soft sheets would be marvelous after time in the jungle. Alicia
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No, definitely not dead yet!
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Smiling here. Thanks for reading.
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What a story! A wonderful tribute to your friend, and a great peek into his (not-so-fictional, male) thoughts. Not only the sheet sentence, but the two sentences after… great.
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Thanks! Aurelio is a great guy.
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What a wonderful tribute, Alicia. Sharp, humorous, and gritty. I really like what you did with the prompt.
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Thank you, Dawn. That actually explains Aurelio to a T.
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This is really good. I love the feel and tone of it – and to think it’s true!
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Thanks very much, Margaret. What a lovely thing to say.
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Great last line that made me smile and really lifts this piece.
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Thank you, Sarah Ann. All war stories need uplifting, but it’s rarely possible. Thank you so much reading.
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Great story, Alicia. I’m so glad your friend survived Vietnam. Thank goodness the man pulling the zipper was paying attention. I loved the humor at the end. Well written as always. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks so much. I appreciate, and look forward to, your weekly visits and comments.
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Nice one Alicia I am glad he made it back. One of my friends was not so lucky and came home in a body bag.
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So sorry to hear that, Alicia
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