Letter From a Farm Kid

Dear Ma and Pa: I'm now a proud United States Marine! I've found it purty easy to slip into their tough routine. Some of them city fellers think things is really rough, But growin' up on the farm has really made me tough! Why, they even let us sleep-in 'til almost five o'clock, Then, sergeants rant and rave to awaken us hapless flock! You make your bunk and shine your shoes, if time will allow, And then march to the dinin' mess for some hearty chow! On the firin' range I've got three medals for aimin' true, And though I'm only a hundred pounds and am but five foot two, I can out-run and out-jump anyone on the obstacle course, And flip them macho guys to the ground with but little force! Pa, this shore beats sloppin' hogs and shuckin' corn, And gazin' at mules' rumps a-plowin' at the break of morn, Or milkin' cows, tendin' goats or hoein' rows of taters, Or sweatin' under the Hoosier sun pickin' pecks of maters! There's even an indoor outhouse and all the hot water you crave. This shore does make it handy when the fellers need to shave! Shucks, I'm a-thinkin' about makin' a career as a Marine. That's all for now, as ever, your lovin' daughter, Darlene. Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired © All Rights Reserved