This was the first Column I wrote while I was in Afghanistan. It was published in several newspapers in TN. and VA. I have received several emails and letters requesting new articles from me. I thought this was the best way for me to start. I will try and post a new Blog at least once a week. Let's see how this works.
Many of you may be reading this over that first fresh brewed cup of high end coffee. Some of you may be relaxing at the local gourmet coffee shop, having a nice latte’ or mocha caramel triple espresso. I and my brethren envy you more than you can imagine. There are a few veterans out there that can commiserate with me on this topic. Those of you who have never spent vast amounts of time in a lonely land drinking down gallons of Army coffee will just have to take my word on the subject.
Soldiers miss a great many things about home when stationed in a place such as Afghanistan. Undoubtedly, we miss our families and friends more than anyone can imagine. We constantly share pictures and stories about our loved ones. Finally, there is a point where the stories and pictures have been passed around too many times. One soldier can begin a tale and four others can finish it. It is at these times that we begin to compare notes about those “little” things that we crave so much.
The one thing that is in the “top ten,” for everyone over the age of twenty-four, is coffee. You ask, “Why coffee?” Let me explain. You are out on the road for anywhere from twenty-four to seventy-two hours trying to keep the roads open and safe for both the military and civilian populaces. During this whole time you have to stay alert and awake. There are a multitude of people out there that just don’t like you. They will do anything to make sure you have a very bad day.
So, you do everything in your power to stay awake. You pour water on yourself, or have your buddy do it. You sing songs; Gilligan’s Island is a favorite. Many even resort to continuously playing practical jokes on one another. Eventually, it all fails and you start feeling the sleep monster on your shoulder. That’s when you want that hot cup of coffee. I still haven’t found a military vehicle yet that had a receptacle for a coffee pot. You would think that it would come standard considering that most of us drink our body weight in it.
That’s when you remember the instant coffee packet left in your MRE. It may take an hour or longer before you finally give, but you get the nerve up to pull out the small disgusting packet. Your buddy looks at you and shakes his head and smiles. This is far worse a fate than any joke he ever pulled on you. He turns and looks away. No human being should be forced to watch what you are about to do.
There are only two choices at this point. First, you can mix it with water in the convenient plastic bag provided. This gives you a luke-warm soupy liquid filled with grounds that never settle to the bottom. Secondly, the preferred method, tear open the package. You tilt your head back and swallow the coarse powder as quickly as you can. The body shudders and shakes in revulsion. There’s no stopping it. However, in just a few moments, you have a caffeine buzz in full swing. Unless, you opened one of those meals with decaf in it.
I know some of you may be disgusted by the thought. Others may think it is hilarious. Some of you might even feel sorry for us. That isn’t important. While you drink that nice rich flavored three dollar coffee, know one thing. I’d give you twenty dollars for that cup right now.
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