Veteran’s Corner

Jason Hicks | Commander United Patriotic bodies
Fargo Memorial Honor Guard

Roy Hamer was a regular at the Fargo VFW; there at 4 o’clock every day, you could set your watch by it. I met Roy at a Veteran function, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, can’t recall. I happened to be in uniform and he noticed my 3rd Infantry division patch, he immediately called me a dog-faced soldier, it’s a compliment, it’s what all 3rd division soldiers are called. (Research the famous 3rd Infantry sometime). We began talking and as it turns out we were both in the 7th Infantry regiment “The cotton balers” the nickname comes from the war of 1812 and the battle of New Orleans where the 7th regiment fought behind bales of cotton against the British. The battle of New Orleans is part of the War of 1812 but actually happened on January 8th 1815, our soldiers and the British weren’t aware the war was over. The distinctive unit insignia is a bale of cotton. When greeting a fellow member of the 7th the greeting goes as follows “Cotton balers by god” and the response is “Damn fine soldiers”. That is how Roy and I greeted each other every time we saw each other.
One of the coolest things about being a Veteran is that age bears no meaning when speaking to fellow soldiers or Veterans for that matter. Roy was the last Korean War Combat Vet I knew, but we were brothers. He was old enough to be my grandfather, but he always treated me as a fellow soldier. Roy and I also were both awarded the coveted Combat Infantryman Badge (It is an award the is only awarded to Infantry soldiers who have engaged the enemy) We talked about everything, and it is quite amazing how some things just never change in the military. The food, lack of sleep, some of the “leadership” your fellow soldiers etc.…. We make fun of other services but know at the end of the day we are all Veterans regardless of branch or rank.
On Monday the 17th we will put my friend Roy to rest at the Fargo National Cemetery. Rest in peace you “Damn fine soldier.”