VETERANS PRESS: Indivisible … with liberty and coffee for all

My first recollection of a good cup of coffee was at the chow hall in Fort Myer, Va. Yep. Army coffee. I'm a Navy gal and I love Navy coffee but there was no base for WAVES in the MDW (Military District of Washington). So, I was housed at Fort Myer. That coffee was good. This was around 1971. These days it's: Can I get a double shot tall skinny sugar-free no whip dry white chocolate mocha? With a straw and a sleeve? The Fort Myer coffee came from an enormous stainless-steel urn. Hefty white mugs. No cream or sugar for me. Straight up black coffee. And it was good.

Coffee has always played a major part in military life. It was in 1832 that President Andrew Jackson added coffee to the official military food ration. Troops developed a love of coffee for warmth, fuel and morale. Union soldiers were issued 36 pounds of coffee each year. In the field, they would roast, grind or crush the beans with their rifle butts or the handles for their bayonets. In his book "Gettysburg: The Pivotal Battle of the Civil War," author Captain Robert K. Beecham wrote about soldiers and coffee. "The power of the soldiers to endure the fatigue of the march and keep their places in the ranks was greatly enhanced by an opportunity to brew a cup of coffee by the wayside." 

In the Navy, sailors used steam vents to heat their coffee. Or their cup of Joe. Ever wonder why it's called a cup of Joe? There are many theories, but I like this one: In 1914, Secretary of Navy Josephus Daniels banned alcohol consumption on all U.S. Navy ships. Since coffee was the next strongest substitute, sailors sarcastically would refer to it as "a cup of Josephus," which was shortened to "a cup of Joe."  

In Vietnam, troops made coffee in the field using C-4 explosives as a heat source, as they did with all their c-ration cooking. Perhaps coffee played a more important role in the late 1960s and early '70s as soldiers returned home, pressured by Americans that questioned the U.S. role in the war. Coffeehouses sprung up in military towns outside bases across the country. These coffeehouses provided a vital gathering place where GIs could get away and say what they really felt; gather and talk openly about their worries and frustrations without judgment or fear.   

The same applies today. Sitting with a group of buddies and sharing coffee is a normal social interaction. It's a way to talk and listen and support one another which can improve physical and mental health. An invitation for a cup of coffee can eliminate isolation. Coffee has always been a ritual of war. And now coffee can be a cup of hope.  

So, if you will excuse me, it's time for a break. Maybe I'll check the Crazy for Coffee Facebook site (with 276,000 followers) while I enjoy a cup. How do you like yours? My sister Lori likes to hover a bean over the steam of a boiling kettle and call it coffee. My sister Carla prefers an Italian roast. I like mine fresh roasted. Strong, solid, faithful and bold. I call it America blend.