The lighter side of our veterans

Veterans Day is almost here again. To honor those that have served is saddened by the dark side of so many losses of our country's finest. But there is a lighter side in serving, and I choose to address this here for it will bring a much-appreciated smile from those that went through this journey with me.

The siege of Khe Sanh, during the Vietnam Conflict made me an instant regular. I won’t bore you with details, for those that were there with me are aware of its uniqueness. Hollywood has remarkably filled in the rest of the vision.

One of my closest friends was a chaplain who served with me with the 26th Marines. After a time, our battalion pulled to the rear for refitting and recreation. This was called “in country R and R.” Are you kidding? There were no hotels, but at least we had a shower to use. Most will remember the adjacent artillery pieces that barked so loudly as an intermittent chorus of “H and I” which is short for harassment and interdiction. The intent was to interrupt a possible nearby enemy position. But we didn’t hear it! Call it conditioning, tuning out, or self-protection. The brain is amazing.

So there we stood chatting in friendly boredom. The chaplain and myself, amid armored vehicles, trucks and, of course, tanks. And remember that we heard only our own spoken words. We soon were joined by a brand-spanking-newbie wearing CONUS (continental United States) polished boots. The only Jewish chaplain in our area of operation, from Da Nang to the DMZ. The bars on his collar were still shiny and on display. Not grimy and purposely hidden on the undersurface of our collars where we placed ours. Why advertise our rank to a potential front-line sniper?

The newly arrived in-country Rabbi tried to fit-in with us “older-timers.” We all talked and he smiled, and then suddenly and with fright he dropped to his knees. He cowered and his head looked around from side to side. He really appeared to be frightened. He blurted to us “we are being shelled.” A nearby rumbling tank perfectly completed the picture.

I turned and said, “no Rabbi, that is just ‘H and I’ going out. It is not incoming.” By then, the smell of cordite had reached the area, which enhanced the experience.

“How do you know it is going out and not coming in?” the Rabbi asked, still appearing quite shaken. It was then that my friend and seasoned veteran chaplain started to laugh, and said to him in a most reassuring and comforting fashion, “God will tell you.” That caused me to laugh, and we both helped the newbie to his feet. A job well done.

To all that have served, I am keenly aware that you appreciate your own stories such as I presented this one. They help to make it bearable. And they undoubtedly became better as your time went on. Mine did.

A short two weeks before I was scheduled to leave the service, and on the grounds of Los Alamitos Naval Air Station, I was told that I had to stand a formal high-level inspection. Of course I protested, but to no avail. The base commander, who was also a personal friend, said to me firmly and with no chance of escape, “Win, you are my highest ranking and decorated officer and I need you. The big brass will all be here.”

I knew that it meant wearing my formal dress uniform, complete with a sword. I didn’t even own a sword, and I was not about to buy this expensive and never-used weapon. And then my inner cunning took over when I remembered that I had treated his personal pilot a day or so ago for a minor malady. I then placed his pilot into the infirmary the day of the inspection, and borrowed his sword. He didn’t mind, for he didn’t want to attend the inspection either. He was released immediately after the event concluded. Problem solved! I still laugh to this day.

To my fellow veterans. I hope that you enjoyed a marvelous Veterans Day. It is our day. How sad that those who gave up so much are not able to celebrate with us. But to all of you let me say with the utmost of sincerity, thank you for your service!

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Irwin Steiger, M.D., is a proud veteran and resident of Coeur d’Alene.