It was the second day of basic after Reception station at Fort Leonard Wood in the fall of 1974. Two of my new friends and myself had some down time when the "Roach Coach" lunch wagon stopped by. Well, we decided to indulge ourselves with chili dogs, coffee rolls and Cokes. As we were enjoying our treat our drill sergeant came by and locked our heels. He then asked us who gave us permission to visit the "coach," and I replied at the top of my lungs that no one said that we couldn't. Then our Drill Sergeant thought for a second and said, yes, he never mentioned it in all of our info. He then ordered us to inhale our treats and the next time we would be allowed to partake would be after our final PT test, if we passed. All of us did in mid-December and when the "Wagon" came by we got our treats.
As we were enjoying our prizes, a buck sergeant drill came by and ordered us into the front leaning rest, and told us to push Missouri back into the Mississippi.
While we were doing as told, our own drill sergeant came by and asked us what happened and we told him what he told us on the second day of training. He put us at ease and said to enjoy our goods since we all passed with flying colors.
He then found the buck, locked his heels and commenced to give him a severe case of take care of yours and I'll take care of mine.
SFC Gravely, if you're still on this earth, thank you for instilling in me a great sense of fairness and compassion.

SSG Engr (ret.) Thomas Ancas, Wilkes-Barre,Pa.