Veteran’s Corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

The Fargo Memorial Honor Guard and Maple Sheyenne Lutheran Church pulled off a first annual community picnic and Memorial Day celebration. Thanks everyone that made it happen, we’re looking forward to next year.

My career in the military has led to many injuries. My left foot in particular. The worst was a morton neuroma, which is a painful enlargement of the nerves. The nerve thickens causing extreme pain. Treatment for this I had for years was cortisone shots. The needle is inserted between the toes. Yes! It is as unpleasant as you are thinking. Finally surgery was performed. To this day large amounts of scar tissue and numbness exsist. The other procedure was the permanent removal of my large toenails. Yes! This was worse than the cortisone shots. I’ve had other foot issues but these two really ring the bell.

Most of these could have been prevented with very little research and monetary expense. Millions of others could’ve benefited too. You might ask how? Footwear.

The injuries I had are most commonly caused by improper fitting footwear. I was issued a pair of boots that were very tight in 1987. In typical supply sergeant fashion I was told “stop b$cthing they will stretch”. Um ok.

Modern military footwear has progressed very little since the days of the Roman soldier. Doing some research I would theorize the Roman’s placed more thought into footwear then our own military.

Caligae were cut from a thick or several pieces of leather for the sole. They look like a hybrid between a sandal and a boot. Protective leather was added to protect the foot and holes were strategically placed to allow venting. Several layers of a soft material were added for the insole. Hobnails (small nails) were added and placed smartly to aid in durability and traction. The hobnails were adapted for the terrain, ice etc. Small spikes were added in some terrain. It’s been told several foes have been finished off in grisly fashion during battles under the spikes of Roman Legionaires. A dead enemy cannot fight after all.

The psychology effect of millions of hobnails hitting a stone road while the Romans marched would’ve been very intimidating. The Caligae was custom built for each soldier. Unlike our system of not even trying on boots. Some Caligae makers were well known and respected.

The Roman’s also adapted or added unto their footwear depending on geography, weather, climate and fighting conditions.

In our even semi-recent history we only need to examine Vietnam. The original issue trainee track boot was a decent boot. Not for the wet and challenging conditions of Vietnam. The Jungle boot was hastily developed. It had canvas and small drain holes to allow moisture to escape from the foot. A spring steel piece was added to the sole to counter the prevalent use of Punji stakes. Double canvas strips around the ankle area were added additionally. The Jungle boot became of the GIs favorite.

Battle of the Bulge, and the Korean War. GIs were wearing the black trainee track boot which provides almost zero warmth.

Trillions have been spent on weapons research. Very, very little of that has gone into footwear.

Send your veteran-related items to me at 11btwk@gmail.com.