Private Roscoe D. Schlink Arrives At Fort Fumble

Dear Folks: Here I am at beautiful Fort Fumble, Louisiana. I sure wish I was back on the farm in Bean Blossom, Indiana. Already I've learned the army pastime of "hurry up and wait!" And that sergeants ain't very nice - they just love to berate. Sergeants met us at the train depot and herded us on a truck. They dumped us at what's called a mess for good old army chuck. I stared in disbelief at the stuff they slopped upon my tray. It was called chipped beef and gravy - it was all greasy and gray! They marched us to the supply place and issued our army suits; A gun, helmet, drawers, socks and couple of pairs of boots. I struggled with all that stuff packed upon my weary back, To a lovely new residence, a flimsy tar-papered shack. I was told how to hang my clothes and fold my boxer drawers; The proper way to roll my socks and other silly army chores. They told me how to make up my cot - the blanket must be taut. A quarter must bounce off of it or your effort is for naught. Mom, I sure need you to fix my grub and make up my cot. Pop, I miss plowing corn behind the mules on the forty-acre plot. I better get to sleep so tomorrow I can earn my meager dough. Tell Uncle Clyde it ain't like he said it'd be. Your loving son, Roscoe. Robert L. Hinshaw, CMSgt, USAF, Retired (© All Rights Reserved)