Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1918-06-12
LETTERS FROM OUR KHAKA-CLAD WARRIORS

racks chief details the men SO that all work
at something every day and each man has
his turn at everything once week. Some of
the kids" have to be bounded in order TO
get them TO do their work properly.
/ happened TO get into bunch from Chi
cage and they are of somewhat different
class than | am used to but while there are
some few who like TO pass as hard boiled''
vet l expect TO work sgreeabiy. / am the
only college man among our bunch. We have
lots of fun most of the time. There are a
couple of comedians-rather low comedy type,
but they liyen things uP-sometimes too
much along about taps when are all TO
be in hammOcks, lights out and spiped
down" Taps are at s:l5. The guards are
on the beat all night and any noise in the
barracks after taps is liable to be rewarded
~ a day in the brig for the whole bar
hard work around the camp. / hope l don't
Save 20 shovel coal some day-but its ali in
the great Navy life. One sees here in any
branch of the service how important every
mans conduct is TO the whole organization.
One man can spoil the efforts of all the SER
iOus and earnest men in company. Our
compary commander is a splendid young fell
low who is kind and considerate in his orders
hut who commands respect for everyone.
Some of the company commanders seem TO
think the more they bark and bawl out the
new rockies the sooner they viii gold
braid. They the exception however.
We have had our vaccination and incubation
leave camp. SO far | have felt no inc0uyen-
fence. Our teeth are examined and any ne
cessary dental work done free of charge All
medical care is free and there are three sick
calls each day when we can 20 10 the hos
pital for care. That's more than any of US
ever got before. II fact when one considers
everything-the osothing. JOard and lodging,
medical care, ir suranrs, chances for advance
ment, ETC., here =. the navy, il seems TO me
most men are better off than they were in
civil life, and then there is the fact that
they will learn what is means TO respect au-
thority and to their country. Most
men will get vision of life here that
will be of inestimable value to the nation
when they once more go back into civil hfe-
The nation will be remade.
Before | close / must say something about
the uplifting things l have found here. We
all marched over TO the Y. M. c. A.
building yesterday to hear the chapiain's talk
to the rockies how to get sea-gOing. II
was fine and inspiring. The gist of his talk
was that should not forget that the things
that were wrong back in own home town
were wrong in the navy; that We should be
Christian gentlemen; that what some rockies
say about getting hard boiled" is all bunk
that navy men religious; and lastly that
we should not forget the folks back home.
| confess that my heart was very full when
he closed and l have determined that all
had planned and hoped to do in days of peace,
will do in these of war. think l can do
more.
Today we went to church in an outdoor
ampitheatre and over 3,00O tackles seated on
each side of a narrow ravine listened TO fine,
vigorous talk and Scripture reading. A band
there TO play and solOist from the Y.
Nj. {. A. 1t looked good to see those fellows
there thinking about the God in whose cause
we are getting ready TO fight, and when Uncle
Sam gets the 100000 navy men under trani-
ing which he expects TO get within the next
few months, this nations first line of de-
Tense will be equal TO anything that can raise
its head on the or conceal itself beneath
the water, the case may be.
We have, of course. the greatest band or
ganizatiOn here. in the world Sousas Marine
Bard, and we hear sections of it almost any
time of the day. Its a great thrilling ex-
perience to one MOI accustomed to the sight
TO hear the band strike lhe Star Spangled
Banner at sunset and the glorious old
Stars mad Stripes lowered for the day, when
every Jackie at the station, no matter where
he is or what he is doing, snaps his heels to-
eether and salutes until the band stops play
ing. Believe me, it's a thrill that makes
man glad to be among those who are per
mitted to serve Old Glory in the greatest days
of her history. It's like looking at vision
Just to stand there and think of what Amer
lea shall mean TO the world when victory rs
ours. I'm glad I'm here. expect to like u
better every day. / hope TO be able TO ad-
vance gradually although l shall be glad to
serve il need be as seaman, wherever the
great ships are sent Life is after all not SO
different here than / have been living. New
friends working for bigger eause-thst IS all.