Gardens of Stone

The film entitled Gardens of Stone is about the adventures of Sergeant Clell Hazard. Clell is very much interested in training young soldiers of the Infantry School of the United States Army in Georgia. He is however sent to the Old Guard in Virginia against his wish. The Old Guard watches over the tomb of a very important fallen soldier at Arlington Cemetery and also does ceremonial honors to soldiers who die while in active service.

Clell does not like his new job and really hates the fact that innocent soldiers fight and get killed in such a war. One day he finds out that Jackie, who is the son of his friend and former colleague, has been sent to work alongside him and he vows to protect the young man so he can go back home alive to his father. Clell first of all welcomes Jackie to his new post and proceeds to caution him about the dangers that await him in Vietnam. However, Jackie being a young soldier and very excited tells Clell he is ready to face whatever situation that comes his way and is ready to fight and defend his country.

Not long after, Jackie meets and marries a lady called Rachel. Clell decides to take care of Jackie after his father Nelson suddenly dies of a heart attack. He takes him like a son and teaches him everything he needs to know as a soldier.

Jackie performs very well and his superiors become impressed and promote him to the post of a Sergeant, after which he goes to school and graduates as a Lieutenant. Immediately after his graduation they send him to Vietnam to head a unit there on the war front. He sends a letter to Clell telling him about his experiences there but shortly after Clell finds out Jackie is dead. He returns to Vietnam to take part in his ceremonial honors.