The Sergeant said, ‘Merry Christmas’

It was Christmas time and I was at Fort Riley, Kan., training to be a radio operator. I was 18 years old and this would be my first Christmas away from home. Because Christmas fell on the weekend there were going to be weekend passes for the soldiers not on duty for guard or mess hall. I had no way of getting to Missouri Valley so I did not apply for a pass.

One of the non-coms home was in Sioux City. He told me that he was driving to Sioux City and I could ride to Missouri Valley and he would pick me up Sunday afternoon but it would cost me $4. He also had a solider from Omaha and another from Blair, Neb., who would be riding with us. The big problem, and there were two of them, was the time had lapsed to file for a pass and second, I did not have $4. My good friend Sam had $2 which he quickly loaned to me. I figured that I could get the other $2 somehow and told him I would be glad to get home for Christmas. I still had to go see 1st Sergeant Smith to get a weekend pass. Then I would fine someone to loan me the other $2.

Why was I broke, you are wondering? This was the time most soldiers were broke. The Army paid at the end of the month by cash and I was usually broke by the middle of the month. We were paid $50 a month by my actual take-home pay was $27. You could earn that in three hours in many jobs today.

It took all the nerve I could muster to approach 1st Sergeant Smith and ask for a pass when the time had expired for asking.

Sergeant Smith was a huge man about 45 years old and a war hero from WWI. He had won several decorations and was a battlefield promoted officer. After WWI was over he lost his Captain’s bars and was made 1st Sergeant. He still held his rank of Captain in the reserves.

I walked up to his desk and asked for a weekend pass. He said, “Solider, the time lapsed three hours ago to apply. This is the Army, not a fraternity, that your are in.” I said, “Yes sir, but I had no way of getting home but I’ve found out that Sergeant Metree is going to Sioux City and will give me a ride both ways for $4.” He said, “We can’t run this outfit to suit every soldier here.” I said, “Thank you sir,” and started to leave. He said, “I’m not done, solider.” I thought, “Uh, oh, I’m on K-P for the weekend.”

He said, “Do you have the $4 to give to Sergeant Metree?” I said, “Well, I’ve got $2 and I’m sure one of my buddies will loan me the other $2.” He stood up, all six feet five of him, reached into his pocket and brought out a money clip. He said, “Here,” and handed me $2. Somehow he didn’t look near so tough. I said, “I can’t pay this back until our next pay day.” He smiled and said, “Merry Christmas solider.” To which I said, “The same to you sir!”

And a Merry Christmas to everyone from the “Cracker Barrel.”

For nearly 25 years, until his death in 2015, retired grocer Don Behm wrote a column for The Storm Lake Times, “Cracker Barrel.” Don’s everyman view of everyday life was a favorite of Times readers.  This was first published on Dec. 21, 1994.