Another “raised hand”

June 1954, first week of basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, the Sgt. called an informal meeting where he asked if anyone played a musical instrument of any kind. As people spoke up around the room, some played guitar, piano, trumpet, saxophone, etc. When he got to me I mentioned that I had played snare drum in the high school marching band. Wrong!! I spent the remainder of my eight weeks providing the cadence for all of our marches. That meant I carried my usual backpack, rifle, canteen etc. PLUS that infernal drum. Note: I was the skinniest, undersized individual in the entire company! That was the last time I volunteered without knowing the consequences!

Robert S. Stockslager, Hanover, Pennsylvania

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