Notes from an unknown soldier

I was shelving used books at the Soroptimist Thrift Haus in Whitefish last week when I came across a soldier's handbook. The well-worn book - more than 2 inches thick but designed to be pocket-sized - immediately caught my attention.

This manual, officially called the IET (initial-entry training) Soldier's Handbook, published in April 2001 by the U.S. Army, had been carried closely by some unknown soldier. Pages are smudged with dirt and dog-eared. And it's obvious the entire book has been wet at some point. Was it sweat from a soldier baking in the extreme heat of Iraq or Afghanistan that withered the pages?

I was curious what the Army includes in its 365-page paperback.

There's a section on the history of the Army, its heritage and tradition. An entire chapter on Army values explains the importance of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor and integrity. The soldier owner had scrawled two stars beside this chapter, noting its utmost importance.

Chapter 3 deals with standards of conduct, explaining things such as forms of punishment, the Whistleblower Protection Act, suicide prevention and ethical decision-making.

Beyond the philosophical stuff and basic soldier skills, the handbook becomes more detailed, with vital information about how to decontaminate your skin and how to react to a nuclear hazard.

At the end of the manual there's an appendix with famous war-related quotations, starting with Gen. Douglas MacArthur's "In war, there is no substitute for victory."

The Pledge of Allegiance is printed at the back of the book, along with the words to a time-honored military tune: "The Army Goes Rolling Along."

It's the very end of the handbook that's the most revealing, in the pages dedicated to "Soldier's Notes." That's where each soldier jots down what's important to him or her.

This particular soldier wrote three items on the first blank page, starring each one:

i "I will guard everything within the limits of my post, and quit my post only when properly relieved.

i "I will obey my special orders and perform all of my duties in a military manner.

i "I will report violations of my special orders, emergencies and anything not covered in my instructions to the commander of the relief."

Some notes are difficult to read because the ink has bled through the pages due to previous wetness or dampness. Again I wonder under what circumstances this vital handbook was carried.

I'll never know who tossed this worn-out handbook into a bin destined for a secondhand store. I'm guessing and hoping that this soldier safely returned from duty, and that now back in civilian life no longer has need of the Army's detailed instruction.

To this unknown solider, I say thank you. Thank you for serving your country. Thank you for caring enough to make notes and star explanations about honor and integrity.

You and your comrades make us proud to be Americans.

Features editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at lhintze@dailyinterlake.com