Buttons are for Buttoning (Cont.)
Screen 2 of 2"Cadet Travelstead," he continued, "the second button on your blouse is not buttoned. Don't you know buttons are for buttoning?"
When I looked down at my blouse, he reminded me again-- this time in no uncertain terms--that I was to look only straight ahead when at attention.
"Well, button it:" he commanded. I did so without looking down. "That's better; you'll learn." His voice was now less harsh, but still not at all tender in tone.
As he turned away from me, I was somehow reminded of Napoleon Bonapart. Both those men were life-time soldiers, short, bellicose, and apparently obsessed with their own authority and power. The comparison came to a sudden halt, however, when I thought about Sergeant Quade trying to speak French. It just didn't fit. I almost broke out with laughter, but I held it back.
The sergeant was now in front of Harry Schacter, looking down at this new cadet's black shoes.
"Those shoes don't stand inspection," he observed caustically. "When did you last shine them? Don't answer that; it makes no difference." Quade was still on the attack. "I'm giving you only one demerit this time, but next time it'll be two."
Barney Jones, my other roommate, also still at one pace forward, now received the sergeant's attention.
"Cadet Jones, your tie looks like a ball of yarn. Do you have a pet kitten in your room that helped you tie it?" Quade was still in high gear. "One demerit for that."
After a moment of silence, we heard Quade's command, "Cadets Jones, Schacter, and Travelstead, one step backward, march." The chastising was over, but we would not forget.
Company roll-call, routine announcements, calisthenics and flag-raising. Then the regiment was dismissed.
********** That first week I received too many demerits. This meant I could not leave the grounds the following Monday to spend the day in Louisville with the other cadets. Instead, I had to "walk the bull ring" for three hours with a rifle on my shoulder and a full pack on my back.
I learned my lesson. I never had to walk the bull ring again during that whole year.
Chester C. Travelstead
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