More from: "My Time In Service:"
The Thousand Yard Stare. I had seen it among my relatives after World War II. I saw it on my favorite Brother in Law, after Korea. I saw it in my brother Mike when he came home from Nam. And I saw it in photo's and the Movies.
What I did not see...is how it leaves a mark on everyone who saw Combat. And the folks who treated the Wounded ...day after day.
I didn't really know what it meant. Until I saw one of the deepest conversations between two Vietnam Vets...with the fewest words in it, in a Subway Sandwich Shop in 1975 in Hawaii.
I went down to Waikiki with one of my Buddies. He was in Nam for all of 1967, . He had a few stories, but basically kept to himself. He taught me more about deploying mortars, and what they really are good for, than a thousand classes would have.
We are in Civilian Clothes. Hawaiian Shirts, shorts, and slippers (flip flops). The guy making our sandwiches is maybe 28, 29 years old. Local Guy. So he makes our sandwiches. I pay for mine.
My buddy goes to pay for his. The Guy behind the counter shakes his head.
And says:
"What Year?
"67."
The guy behind the counter says:
"68."
They just looked at each other...like nobody else was in the room.
My buddy says:
"Shit."
The guy behind the counter says:
"Yeah."
Another short silence.
The guy behind the counter says:
"No charge."
My buddy says:
"Gotcha. Thanks."
They nod at each other.
We go outside and eat our sandwiches. My Buddy was real quiet.
A few doors down, is an ABC Store. (If you have ever been to Hawaii, that is where they sell liquor and beer (and, of course, Hawaiian Shirts) and they are everywhere.
He says:
"Hey Kev, I got to go to the ABC Store and buy a beer. I will be right back."
I was surprised because that buddy never drank during the day. He used to joke that if he drank during the day...he wouldn't stop.
So he goes into the ABC Store. Comes out with one beer.
I watch as he goes back in the Subway. I held the door for him to go in.
He walks up to the guy behind the counter, hands him the beer, and says:
"Welcome Home."
The guys face lights up.His eyes get shiny. They shake hands, and just look at each other.
"Thanks, Brah."
And we leave. Never talked about. Just went down to the beach, took off our slippers and walked in the water.
It was, the most powerful example I had ever seen, of what they went through. They both saw it in the other guy.
"Shit."
"Yeah."
And that said more than a thousand words.
I was humbled to witness it. And lucky enough to see it.
Welcome Home.