The Great Dust War of 2012

There was a drought in the year 2012. It was hot, dry, and above all… dusty.

Somewhere near the middle of Pleasant Hill, just north of Gobbler’s Knob, lies the battlegrounds of the Great Dust War of 2012. Today you can find it to be a place of peace with lush green grass growing, but in 2012, even the slightest wind would send the dust swirling in all directions. 

When the dust settled, there stood the enemy, waiting, ammunition by their side. It was hot outside, the summer sun at its hottest point was sweltering, and sweat poured from every soldier. All knew this was going to be a desperate battle. The battle that began and ended the war started there that dust-drowned historic day; the Great Dust War of 2012.

The trees still hear the echo of the measured tread of the brave 12-year-old captain by the name of Jeremiah, and his younger brothers and fellow soldiers, Jonah, Samuel, and Isaac. The captain was the oldest of us all and mainly responsible for the idea of beginning the war. Only the stump of a tree remains that was once a hiding place of Jayla and Halayah, the opposing army.

Maybe you have heard, and again maybe not, but the history as to how the war began is uncertain. This is what has been passed down to me (from our older sister who witnessed the battle and shaped up the soldiers afterward). Five-year-old Jonah was sent inside to ask if we could have a dust war. Jonah was the one sent to inquire. Maybe he was the cutest and never really asked for anything much. What it was he asked, no one is sure, but he got a yes, because Rachel figured we must have meant make castles and throw dust at them. Nope. That was far from what we meant. He came out with a smile on his face and the war began.

We filled a 25-gallon container full of fine dust that was easily chipped off from the ravine. It did not take long with how dry things were. That huge container was lugged up the “fort,” (the play castle in the playground) and we had it made. 

Our only setback with the fort was that there was a ladder built into the wall, perfect chance for an escalade, but we girls kept it guarded at all costs, dumping buckets of earth on any who dared to venture up that ladder. The others had to scurry around down below to gather their ammunition. 

With a plastic corrugated pipe as our bazooka, we worked to fill it with dust, threw it, and watched it spiral through the air putting out an amazing display of fine soil. Dust was flying everywhere in the playground. We ambushed and dumped pans of dust on the unsuspecting enemy. The whole playground was a war zone. Interdiction was attempted, but we managed to keep our hoard of ammunition safe from enemy hands. While on the ground, a pail of dust in the air temporarily acted as a cover to confuse the enemy while we would run away, seeming to vanish in a puff of smoke. There were many losses on both sides of the battle, and many replacement soldiers looked uncannily familiar to the soldiers who had just passed. By the time we were through, all that was left were five very dusty children.

We had quite a time! We also had quite a time being cleaned up by our older sister Rachel, having first to be hosed off outside before we could come into the house for a real scrubbing. Water from a garden hose can be so cold!

This is the full account of the one and only battle of The Great Dust War of 2012. Whenever my nieces and nephews come inside from playing hard, all covered in dust, this anecdote comes to mind. It has been a story told and laughed over at many of our family gatherings. The story of five valiant soldiers who braved the battle of the Dust War of 2012.

~ Jayla