At last, it is announced at Monday Morning Training formation that, starting this Saturday morning, there will be an Inspection every Saturday morning which will include; personal, weapon and barracks after which for those who pass, a weekend pass all the way to 0500 hours the next Monday morning.
OK, the Field First Sgt. tells us, this means every "Friday night G.I. party" everyone restricted on Friday night to preparing which includes scrubbing clean, the walls and floors and all personal belongings including ones self, to be ready for Saturday Morning.
I couldn't help but notice Leroy who always was ahead of everyone else in well organized foot and wall locker layouts, well starched uniforms, shined shoes, brass and clean rifle and too, was always helping
the others who lagged behind in their preparation, shining their brass and shoes all
with a smile on his face. That was Leroy was always helping someone or picking up
trash throughout our area of responsibility.
And on Saturday morning, of course, everyone passes, we'd kill anyone who didn't,
because if one failed, the whole squad would be restricted and "no pass" too.
Thanks Leroy, you are quite a guy. After every Friday night barracks clean-up,
Leroy would walk through out the whole place cleaning little spaces that was missed
or or overlooked, never complaining or critisizing any one, just picking up and
looking after the rest of us, always with a smile on his face, that was Leroy.
1949 Cadillac
Friday G.I. Party
As darkness was approaching we were ordered to dig in and after placing my squad on the perimeter I noticed a figure approaching my hole position from the forward side and since I am behind a couple of hole positions and he is inside my perimeter I expect a G.I. so say, "What's up", then all of a sudden I realize this guy is a "Chink" and immediately grabbing his rifle from his shoulder where he carried it slung over and gestured him to drop to his knees. He seemed disoriented and in a daze so I assumed he was lost and ventured into our camp thinking it was their positions. Any way word quickly got to our LT. and he was there ordering me to "take the prisoner to Battalion. I didn't say a word except, "yes sir" and thought to myself, "where is Battalion? and after stripping the prisoner of all he's gear made him sit with his hands on top of he's head while I got my gear ready for the trip back to Battalion. It was then that I notice another figure approaching my position and I said to myself, "Not again, now what?' but it turned out to be Joe from Company A. Joe was my buddy from our Hawaiian group was the Runner for his C.O. and would travel between the Companies with information and or just to make contact so he could report back to his C.O. Anyway, Joe asks for directions to our C.P. and C.O. and after giving him that asked, "how do I get to Battalion and he explains, I gotta go there next so, if you wait, I can take your prisoner there, I've already delivered a couple earlier today so I know exactly where.
What a blessing, I loved this guy Joe, He played the Uke and sang with Leroy on our get togethers when we were in Reserve. And now this, "I owe you Joe my man", I told him.
