Dining In An Army Mess

I became familiar with intriguing chow in the army mess, Tho' I savored their chipped beef and gravy I must confess! But some of their culinary efforts left in my mind some doubt, That my wily recruiter didn't know what he was talking about! Invariably for lunch and supper much to my dismay, They plopped a dollop of fruit cocktail upon my battered tray. The sergeant grinned as he slopped some on my mashed pertaters. Have you ever eaten fruit coctail mixed with stewed termaters! The army must've had a surplus of orange marmalade, And the meatballs would've made a formidable hand grenade! One never asked about the ingredients in the vegetable stew. On rare occasions steak was served, but it was tough to chew! Troopers sat around a picnic table affair and elbows really flew! Such atrocious language! At Mother's table that would never do! Signs read, "Take all you want but eat what you took!" Food dumped in the garbage can could easily upset the cook! For Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners they put on a spread. Those I savored but anticipated future meals with dread! But in todays army "dining rooms", silver and chinaware prevails. Why! I've heard they serve cordon bleu and even lobster tails! Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved) This poem pretty accurately describes "mess hall" conditions when I first entered the Air Force in 1948. As years progressed, things really improved for the better. They are called "dining facilities" today and to dine in one is a special treat which I have done several times since my retirement from the Air Force. It is true "dining" and lobster tail, cordon bleu, steamboat round and such delicacies are de rigueur! If those foods are not your thing, there is a soup and salad bar, pasta bar, ice cream bar, hamburger bar and on and on. The decor compares to any fine restaurant. But I don't begrudge our men and women in uniform one bit - they deserve the best!!