Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-02-24
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Hilo, Hawaii, Feb. II, 1917.
Editor Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Sir: was asked to write a paper
on our military drill and my paper
goes as follows:
II is new % minutes to II on a
Wednesday morning and we shall
soon have our military drill. Twice
q week have we drill--one ON Wednes-
day and the other on Friday. The
guns, not of iron and wood hut OF
wood alone, are delivered under each
of our desks by two gun monitors ap.
pointed for period of one term, that
we may pass out of the room one row
after the other quite readily with.
out bothering ever our guns.
We finish our lunches and breathe
the fresh air outside on the messy
ground. Then again the study hour
comes which lasts quite a while. But
therei Do you hear the bell? Ring,
ting, There IL goes, It's the signal
bell for our drill. Stand. boysn
the teacher commands. We obey her
like true soldiers. Then we march
quietly out with guns in our right
hands, keeping our steps, one, two;
one, tive. Four teachers are already
in their places down along the stairs
and quietly watch us as we pass.
The sun is bright and hot outside.
The sky is eloudless. Our comrades,
though their faces look somewhat
tired, are nevertheless not tired of
the work, for>dp you not see now and
then their sun-browned faces break
forth in smiles as they march toward
the drilling ground with the gentle
breeze sweeping their cheeks? New
er on earth are any more beautiful
than they. No matter. how hot the sun
is a nov strong the Wind, these!
worthy comrades and we never miss
our drill.
When did the soldier ever think of
the sun, rain or wind? And when a
word Of command or two is given, then
there's nothing before their eyes-no
obstacles, no danger nothing they
are afraid Of Nothing but the order
alone Is in their heads. And so will
it be with us. We are now learning
to be soldiers, and fine ones, too. We
are the future soldiers, the pride Of
the country and the guidance. If
there should ever be any one who
should try to harm our dear Uncle
SAM. or make trouble on him, then
those who should stand before the
uncle and face the rascal, and, il
need be, should lay him down, will
be we; yes, we ourselves. Like our
forefathers we shall take care of our
Red, Whites and Blue and raise its
name higher than ever. God bless
u.s.
Excuse u.s. We have branched out
quite hard We must tell you here
who our Instructor is and how we
drill. Our Instructor is Mr. Dey0. He
is kind man and teaches us kindly Z,
have the honor Of telling you that
he is the man who has sacrificed and
is still sacrificing his lunch time, twice
q week, in drilling us in military dis
cipline, and that. too. for our good
alone and net his. He has given us
dfili these one and Il half years.
At first most of us did not know
even how to handle guns. Our heads
we're much greeaer than the mango
leaves. Mr.. Deyo of that time can
be compared to Mr.. Steuben, who, dur
Ing the Revolutionary War, was sent
over by the French government to
give the raw American soldiers the
drill and the discipline of which they
were totally blind. He began to
work with a will. At first he was
almost disappointed because we were
so stupid. Nevertheless, after while
he was very proud Of his troops and
with good cause.
rs we left saying, We march to the /,
drilling ground. which is the high |
school playground. with light foot and
cheerful heart. Mr.. Deyo is not