The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-07-23
LIKES THE SERVICE
DEWEY LEWIS RETURNS TO THE
TRAINING STATION.
ArdmOre Boy, In Navy, Tells of Life
in Camp Near ChicagO-Has Conn
pleted His Term of Training for The
Service.

Il am just tickled to death about .he
navy" This is the way that Dewey
Lewis. son of Mr. and Mrs Lewis. of
Ardmore, who is home from the Great
Lakes Training School, for few days,
expresses his delight at belonging TO
the navy.
IAN the boys are just like l am about
it," he said. There is not a dissatis-
fled one in the whole camp and all
are eager to see active service" Lewis
has completed mis- course at the camp
and he will go directly into service as
soon as he returns. He left Sunday
and will report at the Great Lakes
Training station, near Chicago We'd
nesday.
The sailors are a busy lot, according
to Lewis The day begins with re-
veille at O'Clock in the morning and
is filled with routine work and various
activities until 9 o'clock at night. at
which time taps is blown. a sham
battle is fought every Thursday otter.
noon, in which G,OOO men take part On
Sunday everybody goes to church at
$50 and remains until 1145.
On entering the training camp for
the first time the recruit is met at Chi
cago by a man in sailor uniform and
accompanied TO the gate Of the camp
which is about thirty-three miles north
Of Chicago The new sailor is frst
placed in the detention camp. where lie
may be kept for some time to see ii he
has any contagious disease. After re-
lease from the detention camp he is
taken to the bath room and given his
first regulation" bath. Next he is
vaccinated and then taken to the gen
eral storekeeper, where he is complete
ly outfitted. He rolls his extra sailor
clothes in the manner prescribed b.
the department, and is thenceforth
known as one Of Uncle Sans sailors.
Day in Camp.
Routine work now commences. a;
the sound OF the bugle the new sailor
gets up at 5 a. m. in the morning mops
the plank floor of his tent, ties up its
sides, marches in lines and takes a bath
after which he is dismissed until 6A5,
at which time the boys form in double
| line ready to take breakfast. At
o'clock the men march past the eatinE
utensils. take knife. fork, plate and cup
from boxes and march past the cooks,
who fill the plates and cups with largs
quantities Of food. After breakfast an
| inspection is made Of the tent, clothes
and sailors quarters. The clothes must
be spotless.
At O'Clock the Stars and Stripes are
raised TO the top of a flag pole seventy
five feet high. while the band plays
"Star Spangled Banner" Every person
stands at attention until the music
stops and then gives the right-han |
salute. after which all the boys form
in line for drill, which commences at
SIS and lasts until 1890. At this hour
the mail from nome Is called out b.
the company, while the men are still
in line. II is always an interestins
time. The men form in one long line
at i1:45 for dinner. About 300 Of them
sit at one table.
Drill work. which consists Of exercise
drills. manual Of arms and practice sig
/ IullllEt NhHlliitlNf0 ~ NN4'N'NF no
work ends at 4:3O. and the mail from
home is again called out. Supper is
had at O'Clock. after which athletic
sports are had until about Z o'clock
The leisure period is from to In
the evening The last roll call for the
day is held at S:55, followed by the
final bugle. The cannon is shot at 9,
which means that all lights are TO bc
put out Immediately. The blowing Of
taps ends the days activities.
Visit Chicago Once Week.
The men IN training are allowed to
visit Chicago once week one sec
tion Is allowed 20 go on Saturday and
the other half Of the school is per.
mitted 10 go on Sunday Special trains
are run from the camp 10 Chicago every
Saturday and Sunday 10 accommodate
the sailors. three or four thousand OF
whom make the trip at one time On
special occasions the sailors form in
line and march through the Chicago
streets.
Many forms Of wholesome entertain
ment are planned for the sailors iu
training. Lewis said. On one occasion
tents were stretched and series Of
plays. musical numbers, and comedies
were given. TO which admission fees
were charged.