INSPECTED BY H.I.M.

In February 1968, His Imperial Majesty Haile Salassie I made his annual visit to Kagnew Station. Our Post Commander Col. Hamer decided that the Emperor should see how the US troops were billeted in northern most province (Eritrea) of his country. The Conquering Lion of Judah could probably care less but acquiesced to a tour of the billets and other Post facilities. We all knew that the main reason for his visit was to get annual Dental care and have his entourage raid the PX and the Commissary!

Three weeks before his visit I was moved into the 8 man Bay in Company A that HIM was to inspect. "This is Bullshit" I told 1SG Keener, as I was very happy with my current Bay and Baymates and didn't want to move into a new Bay. He told me that it was an honor to stand inspection for the Emperor! Again, I said, "Come on Top, that's Bullshit"! However, I really had no option in this matter as I was ordered (not asked) to move to the pre-chosen Inspection Bay! My NMSD co-worker Mike (Andy) Andersson was also told to move into the Bay for inspection purposes.

Now, I could see the justification in the move if I had been an exceptionally military adroit troop. But after all, I was a Gross Guy and Andy was as well! (In fact the entire left side of the Bay was made up of Gross Guys with Steve Popko and Rhett Fry in the last two bunks on the left)! The only thing that we could figure out was that we were both over 6 feet tall and would not be able to see HIM when he stood in front of us, or perhaps we just looked good in our Khaki uniforms! More than likely one of the NCO's wanted to screw us over. Remember the old Army theory that if the Troops were not complaining about something, they were not happy.

Actually there were some benefits involved in being the in the chosen inspection bay! Our houseboys, Tesfai and Berhane put in a double effort to make the Bay sparkling clean. My uniforms were perfectly pressed and you could see your reflection in my boots and shoes. The head Houseboy Ashe did daily inspections of the Bay for a week before the Inspection. No matter how badly we messed it up it was back to perfect the next day. Not a speck of dust could be found. Not that any of us really cared!

Another benefit was that we did not have to stand Cordon Duty in the hot afternoon sun. "A' Trick was on Eves so the rest of the trick had to stand Cordon Duty from 1100 hours to 1400 hours while waiting for HIM to complete his inspection tour of the Post. However, the best benefit was that we were given that night off from work for standing the inspection.

On the day of the inspection we were rousted out of our bunks early so that the Houseboys could put the finishing touches on the Bay. Everything was perfect. We stood around for at least an hour in our stocking feet waiting for word that the Emperor had arrived. Finally the Company Clerk ran into the Bay to tell us to get ready. It would be just a matter of minutes. The next thing I remember is someone calling attention and our CO, Lt. O'Brien speaking. I can't recall what he was saying as I was too nervous about the possibility of screwing up.

We had been told not to look down on the Emperor (a hard thing not to do, given his stature) and to address him as Your Majesty if he spoke to us. Haile with the CO in front of HIM and Col. Hamer a few steps behind HIM, walked into the Bay. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that he was standing in front of Andy about 4 feet to the right of me. The next thing I knew he was directly in front of me and all that I could see was the top of his hat. And in a proper British accent said "You are very tall, do you play Basketball?" With my knees trembling I replied "No Your Majesty, I play Baseball and Football". He then replied "I see, thank you!"

He then went on to inspect the rest of my Baymates without speaking to anyone else. When he left the room we all breathed a sigh of relief. Within ten minutes of his departure we were all out of our Uniforms and in our civvies. We were ready for a well-deserved night off from work.



A Photo by Post Photographer Gerald Hardamon "H.I.M. and Zazz - 08FEB68"