The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1940-10-19
EDITORIAL PAGE As ss~s:s'ss IS
BACK IN 1917
Continued from page u


ing. and enough salty tears were
shed 10 float battle ship. The boys
were going over ito settle up the
fuss because II was left up to us.
Boys. how you could march 10 the
strains OF that ditty.
But the day soon arrived. The
notice came in the mail TO report,
and Immediately we began giving
away everything We possessed
clothes. shoes. bags. and other
things. We were positive that we
would not come back-and II We
did. we wouldn't need them
anyway. SO what the hell!
We assembled at the Michigan
Central Station, boarded the train
after getting our instructions from
a top sergeant and a shave-tail. and
then began our trip TO Camp Gus
ter While there were a few gloomy
faces on the train. the majority of
the young fellows felt as though
they were going on lark. They
sang, yelled and cursed until the
train arrived at Camp Custer. Then
II was different
The hardboiled sergeant who met
the train quickly informed the
young rowdies that they were "in
the army now and there would be
no more foolishness.
Hey youl | mean the second
guy from the end. Pull that chin
In and poke out your chest. That
fourth guy. Don't you know how TO
stand erect. Get this into your
head now. you're here to obey or
ders." We soon learned that he
was right.
oh. he was tough baby, Almost
as hard as old Captain Lock, the
lean and why commander Of Com
pany A. There was guy who SEEM
ed 10 delight in getting YOU out at
fiye o'clock in the morning for
good dressing down" He possess
ed a wealth of curse words and us
ed them effectively.
We were sleeping in tents. and
when October rolled around II was
cold as old blazes. | think | was
Jimmy Johnson who conceived the
bright idea OF building a fire in one
OF the tents. II might have been |
Walter Gray, now detective lieu
tenant in Grand Rapids. Any way,
some gink started one and almos
burned down the entire row OF
tents.
There was the old building used
for a bath house. No hot wafer. and
three or four big huskies just grab
bed us and tossed us under the
powerful stream OF cold water. You
could hear the yells for miles. as
the water hit the flesh. Especially
on days when the weather was
down around freezing.
We were not given uniforms i'm
Those first few days
were spent in getting acquainted
with the surroundings. and playing |
football. boxing. and wrestling. SO
when time arrived TO get the uni
forms. many Of the boys were with
out the seats OF their breechcs.
This part Of the apparel had been
left in the hands of would-be
tackler on the football field.
The drills on the spacious field |
drills until you heard squads /
right and squads left" in your
sleep. The hours spent on the firms
range and how thrilled we were
when the first command. was given !
to Are" or course the kick from
the rifle almost took the shoulder
off. but II was fun rying TO hit the
bulls eye.
Finally came the order for the
transfer OF a large detachment OF
soldiers to Camp Sherman. near
Chillicothe. Ohio. we left early In
the morning. and every time the
train would stop women we're al
each and every window with food
and hot coffee for the boys. We ar
rived at Camp Sherman late at
night. and awoke the next morning
TO see all preparations for the over
sea trip. But the signing Of the
Armistice kept us on this side.