The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1944-11-23
LOVE AFFtRST FLIGHT
e. ea a1,* 5,s ssfxo'Hs Q D
OTIS CARNEY

~OUAJ~-
without much thought in the top
drawer.
During inspection Ensign Fitch
browsed around the bureau.
Opening the top drawer he came
across the kit.
'sMy God," he screamed. what
is this doing here?'
IT have my shaving things in
it, sir, and the rules
'I don't care, if you have skull
in It'll" he beloved. Call kits are
regarded as miscellaneous in the
Navy and so stored in the bottom
drawer. This is a final warn
ing"
The next day Lieutenant Sands,
USING, had the inspection.
Coming to my bottom drawer he
stepped away as if he had found
his wife at the Astor.
my God!" he shrieked. what
is this shaving kit doing in the
bottom drawer?"
"A kit is kit, sir, and the rules
state"
/ 81 don't care. It has shaving
things in it and as such should be
slowed in the top drawer. This is
your final warning"
Semper fidelis!
The only way I kept myself out
of trouble was by answering,
''Well, Ensign Fitch says g." or,
But Lieutenant Sands says :. "
The showdown came when the
men arrived together for Satur-
days grand inspection. The kit
was in the first drawer.
"My God!" shrieked Fitch.
"Again."
81 told him to put it there" said
the lieutenant.
"You did, Mr.. Sands?" Mr..
Fitch was incredulous. after all
iyour training"
"a study of Rule Is, sub-head-
ing 2, will disclose that shaving
equipment properly goes in the
first drawer" said the Marine
acidly.
I WINGED. The loser would GER
tainly salve his wounded pride al
my expense.
$50 it does" Fitch was jocular
Great fighters, the Marines. Al
ways gave a good account OF
themselves. Unquestionably, well
disciplined, but you couldn't ex-
lpect Navy insight or finesse from
such men. "A kit, old man, is q
kit" he kindly detained. III
you put your hands in your shoes
that doesn't make them gloves
does it," He drove the point
home with this mental nail. ''The
kit goes in the bottom drawer
he said imperiously.
"And if you fill a potato sack
with apples you still sell then
over the apple counter" The
Halls of Montezuma rang with the
challenge. 'The kit goes in the
first drawer" said Sands, folding
his arms and looking toward
Tripoli.
Ensign Fitch was shaken by the
last charge.
do you really think it goes il
the first drawer?" he asked, ad
hitting the need of discussion.
I'm not sure at ALL" said thu
lieutenant, giving a little groune
himself, "It's the most ticklisf
issue I've had to face in the serv
ice"
Couldn't the Skipper handle
this? Captains mast or some
sueh"-the Ensign grasped fol
! straws.
What do you think, Dowd?'
asked Fitch, remembering that al
occasional CLEAN of intelligence
shone in the ranks.
1T seems to me, sir" said
straining every muscle to stay of
the report, ''that it is neither
flesh nor fowl and should be stow
ed in the middle drawer with the
underwear"
mo compromising" snapped
!; Lieutenant Sands.
Remember Munich" added
Ensign Fitch.
Both were gallant gentlemen.
II suppose it will have to go t.
Washington" I asked.
'That's it," cried Fitch. '"The
Bureau
That's it," cried
'The Bureau!" cried MIR. Sands
| Both men swore to see thu
thing through, come hell or higl
water.
where shall I stow it for thu
next Inspection" I hoped thu
closet would do until the heat wa.