I have many memories of my Basic Training at Ft. Leonard Wood. Some good, some not so good, and some humorous.

One that has always stayed with me is my several weeks spent with Fred and Irving. Early on in my training I was constantly being dropped for push ups by one of my Drill Sergeants for not cupping my hands while marching. Sgt Shell was his name, and although I have never been good with names I do remember his along with the two temporary companions he introduced me to in an attempt to break me of my had habit.

Fred and Irving were two distinctly shaped rocks. I remember Fred being larger than Irving was and they became my constant companions. I was instructed by Sgt Shell that I was to "always" have Fred and Irving with me and he meant "always"! It did not matter where I was, I was at any time subject to being told by Sgt Shell to let him see Fred and Irving and they had better be in my hands when I showed them to him. I even remember him standing in front of me when I was seated on the commode and demanding to see them. He also on more than one occasion, awoke me from a sound sleep to show them to him.

One day out of the blue, he told me to surrender Fred and Irving and I never saw them again.

To this day, I walk with my hands cupped and I look at others while they walk and if I see theirs hands cupped also, it tells me that chances are, they too are Veterans.