Chaper 18 Summary

That morning, Gilliland shows up and Hodges is shocked to see him. Gilliland tells him he's only back for two weeks, then he'll be a civilian. Hodges can't believe it. Gilliland looks around the perimeter and compliments Hodges on his positioning of the men. Hodges asks what Gilliland will do on the outside. He tells him that it doesn't matter. He says it doesn't matter being a Marine anymore either. Vietnam ruined that for him. Hodges nods his understanding. Gilliland tells him about 1965, when he and the other volunteer soldiers invaded Vietnam. They were nothing like the guys now. They did stupid things like setting the tree line on fire to draw the gooks out and the wind blew the fire back at them. Hodges laughs and listens to his stories.

Gilliland tells Hodges that back home things are different. They are forgotten...