veteran’s corner

Tom Krabbenhoft

Several events took place this August. A fellow military retiree (Tom also) and I took a motorcycle trip across country. Our first day we drove through NW, SD It seemed like we drove for hundreds of miles with only seeing the great plains.

A small town with a couple buildings appeared. We stopped for gas and water. Inside I noticed a very large gentleman in a cowboy hat with his family. The cashier was a male, also a large guy. We milled about a bit picking out our items and went to pay. I’m telling you, anyone that wears a leather motorcycle vest with patches gets profiled.  I noticed a sign that said Purple Heart business owner. I asked about the sign and he told us about his grandfather starting the business and being in the war. Noticing our veterans patches the awkward silence was lifted. The former silent large cowboy clad gentleman asked where we were going. He recommended a scenic route. We loosely chit chatted for minutes with the now-warm group.

We had several other encounters like this on our ride across country. One thing about being a veteran is the immediate bond that takes place among complete strangers. Shared experiences and meeting either 25 years younger or older than yourself veterans is always a pleasure. Painting rocks at Ft. Bliss TX has always been a thing. The red clay of Ft. Benning or the Chiggers one can get at certain places down south. Sharing these cups of suck are timeless, the old guys tell as vivid stories as the guys that were just there.

One place that will linger with my riding companion and myself is Cody Wyoming. Cody is a town that serves slices of Americana almost everyplace you visit. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West with its historic content and everything old west to Old Town trail where Jeremiah Johnson of the 1972 movie is buried now. He was moved from Los Angeles in the 70’s, Robert Redford was one of his pallbearers. 6th graders in Cody are responsible for getting him moved. So many great things in Cody worthy of a story.

Cody Steakhouse which lies in the heart of Cody. It was very busy, but we were seated quickly. Our waiter taking note of our veterans patches stated they had a military discount and the owner Frank was a veteran. We are very well traveled and have eaten all over the planet. We both agreed our meal was of the best we ever had.  Coupled with the unique drinks they had it was a phenomenal dining experience.

After we ate a gentleman appeared at our table “Hi I’m Frank the owner, thanks for your service.” Frank told us he was in years ago, then pulled up a chair with us and “chewed the military fat”. Even though the place was packed.

We were pretty full of food and humbled he would take the time to stop and connect with us.

We both agreed after that meal and visit we would be coming back to Cody Wyoming and the Cody Steakhouse.

Thanks again Frank!