The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-11-25
THE NAVY'S TURKEY.
HOW THE JAcKlEs ENJOY THEIR
DAY OF THANKS.

How They "Guy'' the Officers During
the Novel Annual Parade and Re-
view Aboard Ship Chasing the
Creased Pig.
copyright 1898. by F. A. verdu.l
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ESSS@N 9SSWN7 I is undoubtedly
QANA N true that Jacky,
$HSS EViffs5NEWl and that means the
IgIaA WIIM sailorman of I'm
;Fsss1N N ,ElSlWAl Gle SANS navy, is
Gs4f ANN J MINI moro thankful this
III iFNkfI\lEMl year than ever be-
I Ian \ fore-he is thank
N VIZ \ full he's alive.
Spanish shells have
come his way by thousands, but he still
lives. Jacky is fond of holiday, and
one of the things that go to complete
a perfectly spent holiday with Jaclzy is
a good "square meals with "vittles"
of a different kind than the commissary
supplies. Soft bread and shore food''
are the main parts of this repast, and
there must be lots of them. While Jacky
enjoys every holiday that comes along
the one in which he finds the most
pleasure is Thanksgiving day. This is
especially true when the ships are in
some home port or in the navy yard.
Then Jaclsy is sure he can have what
ever he wishes for.
The regular routine work of the ships
as far as possible is suspended for the
day, and after Quarters" the men are
allowed the freedom of the ship. The
mess quarters are decorated with the
ensigns and signal flags, while the long
rows of tables are ahundantly supplied
with all the delicacies of the season
from the turkey which the men call
"the buzzard, 4" with it's cranberry sauce
and other furnishings, to the choicest
fruits the market affords. Usually an
outside cook is called in to prepare the
meal, for every man in the ship is going
to enjoy the holiday, and no one works.
There are other things that occupy
! Jacky's miEd besides the "grub, "as he
calls it, for the day is long, and there
are lots of things that can be DONE AS
soon as "quarters" are over the amuse-
ment usually begins with a parade and
review, at which all the officers of the
ship are asked to be present. 1t is not a
dress parade, where the men have to
wear their regulation uniforms, nor do
the tactics as prescribed by the govern
ment carry any weight. The uniforms
and tactics are of the mems own get up,
and each participant does about as he
likes when the commands are given.
The uniforms are remarkable, there be-
ing no two alike. Every color in the
rainbow goes to make up some part of
the grotesque costumes Worn by the
men. This is one opportunity the men
have Of showing their like or dislike
! for some of the officers in mild way.
During the drill. which lasts about half
an hour, the commands are given to
mimic some of the officers, while the
men themselves perform all kinds of
queer antics.
After the drill few athletic sports
are INDUCED in before the little red
pennant is run up to the signal arm
and "mess gear'' is sounded. They find
desirable spot for the purpose. Then
football, baseball and other games are
enjoyed. Jacky's speciality is "pig chas-
ing" and, without u good healthy
porker we'll creased, to give him run
about the grounds the DAY would be lost.
Often the pig is too lively for the boys,
and many Of them get a good tumble
before he is finally captured.
! Suddenly the familiar sound of the
bugle comes over the water to the place
where the men have Been enjoying
themselves. They do not wait for the
second call. One seems enough, and
they drop everything they have been
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