The Ely miner., 1943-08-26

ouA Nk "osCA anu swap ~ W
the French for wine."
fixed right, too. Looks right dis
tinguished, doesn't it?"
looked at the modernistic clock
on Ward Beecher's parlor table. I
took my eyes off it quickly, lest he
tell me again about how he won it
at the firemen's convention.
'Well, Ward" I said, jumping des-
perately into gap in the conver-
sation. "I've enjoyed talking to you
about my life in the Army, but I
have to get along uptown again.
I've got"
"Sure thing, fellow" said the man
of letters; sit certainly is interest
ing to hear from a soldier in this
army. I could listen to you for
hours"
Hey, Hargrove," he yelled as
started up the street, "next time
you come, remind me to tell you
about my job as pilot in the old
war!"
When sergeant tells you that it's
the little things in life that are i'm
portant, he's not just saying it. A
sergeant who impresses that one
corny slice Of homely philosophy
upon rockies mind is giving him
one of the most important lessons of
his Army life.
The soldier has a thousand and
one small things to remember in
his everyday life. Most of these he
forgets at least once before a nom
com etches them vividly on his mind
with kitchen duty.
One of these small things is the
Identification disk, or 'dog tag" of
which each man wears a pair. Dog
tags are supposed to be worn at all
times. A soldier will wear his tag
all through the day, taking it off
only for shower. After he takes
his shower, he probably will forget
to put the tag back on-at least,
if he has memory like mine. He
never misses it until the next morn
ing when he's taking calisthenics.
Then he doesn't know that he doesn't
have it until he sees the sergeant
come over to him, look for the tag
and write his name down in the lit
tie black book.
At retreat, the afternoon inspec-
ton of the soldiers, I always check
everything before I fall out for the
uncover. Are my shoes shined? Is
my rifle cleaned and oiled? Is my
name plate pinned straight over my
left shirt pocket? Can I get by with
this mornings shave? Do I need
haircut? Are all my pockets but
toned? When I make sure that ev-
erything is as it should be, I sigh
with satisfaction and fall out.
The battery assemblies in a neat.
precise picture of mass formation.
The battery commander orders the
top kick to Prepare the battery for
inspection!" The top kick opens the
ranks and the lines straighten out
to perfection. From where I stand,
everything looks perfect.
The battery commander begins his
inspection. Until he gets almost to
me, I feel almost SNUG to think
that for once I've stood retreat and
not fallen short somewhere. To
bask in my own perfection, I sneak
forbidden peek at my gun and
uniform.
Then, to my horror, I see two
shiny strands of stainless steel lust
below my belt-the chain on that
dadblasted dollar watch! Your whole
day can be spoiled by doodads such
as that marring the neatness and
simplicity of your uniform. Back to
the kitchens, Dulcy!
There's one good thing, however.
about forgetting to take off your
nonkosher watch chain for retreat.
or to put on your leggins for reveille.
or to straighten the shoes under your
bunk! After the first time, you re-
member them!
(TO BE CONTNUEDl