So, the next letter won't arrive until the 30th. Rather than allow the blog to remain inactive in the intervening time, I'm going to use my spare hours to research a little bit more and share my findings with my many, many followers (are we up to 3 now?).
In June 2nd's letter, Sgt. Diehl mentioned his experience of Memorial Day in the south, remarking on the lack of fanfare (compared to the typical celebration in Pennsylvania).
Currently, Memorial Day is dedicated to the remembrance of fallen US soldiers. It seems to have begun in the late 1800s as a day meant to honor those soldiers who died during the Civil War. There are conflicting opinions, however, as to which soldiers the day originally honored. According to Wikipedia, the day was meant for remembering fallen Union soldiers. According to usmemorialday.org, the day officially began with flowers being laid on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers in Arlington Cemetery. As authoritative as usmemorialday.org appears to be, I'm inclined to believe Wikipedia's version, due to one comment in the letter of June 2nd: "But you know this is the South and May 30th is a Northern Holiday. I think some of the Southern States have a Memorial Day some time in April." I suspect that our desire to believe in the unity of the US then and now may have caused some slight revision of history. It's difficult to say for sure.
That's my tidbit for tonight... I'll try to find other interesting bits to research and share.
June 10, 2010
June 2, 2010
Park Field, Tenn. June 2, 1918
The interesting part of this letter is its account of Memorial Day in the South through the eyes of a northerner. Roy also provides a detailed description of the camp's schedule and references to the educational system in America at the time.
Dear Friend:
This evening I am going to try the paper you were so kind to send me and for which I sincerely thank you. But I must ask your pardon for always using a pencil. To tell the truth I am a poor hand at writing with a pen and always hate to use one.
I received your very welcome letter of the 29th and enjoyed it very much. It was longer than most of your letters and those are the kind I like. I may be selfish in this matter but nevertheless it is the truth. My own letters, perhaps, are not as long as they might be and I know not half as interesting as they might be, but if I do my best surely they have some cause to be excused.
I suppose Memorial Day was observed in your town in a fitting manner, was it not? All the parades and suitable homage to the departed veterans? They gave us a holiday here at the Field and most of the boys went to Memphis. I among them, but there was no holiday there. The only places closed being the Banks. Stores were open and business as usual. But you know this is the South and May 30th is a Northern Holiday. I think some of the Southern States have a Memorial Day some time in April. I am not sure.
I was in Memphis but a short time and while there saw a small show. Last night I was in with my truck and on the way back was caught in a rain and got wet through and through, getting back to camp at 10:30.
They started a new schedule here last week. We now get up at 4 A.M. go to work at 5:30 work till 10:30 have a lunch at 11 and drill from 11:15 to 12 M then we rest till 1:45 when we have dinner then we go to work at 2:30 and work till 8:00 stand Retreat at 8:30 and have supper immediately after so that we are all through by about 9:15 when we can go to bed (if we want to.) It makes long days. I do not know just what the idea is but no other camp in the country does it. Saturdays, of course, are not so long as we are through by 5 oclock. I worked last Sunday and worked today but should have next Sunday off.
Our roses, lilacs and snowballs here have been over long ago and it seems to me that it should be August or September instead of June. Most of our boys here are "Huskies" now alright but if the warm weather keeps up I am afraid we shall lose some of our weight. I am already losing a little, but I really did weigh a little too much. Two weeks ago I weighed 171 but have fallen to 165.
I am glad to know you like School but those questions you mentioned, I fear, are too much for me. I remember them though for I went to Normal School several months. You would not believe it would you? Ha, Ha! Anyway, I hope you got your Chickens and Dutchmen straightened out.
Perhaps you will not understand Reville, Retreat, etc., when you read of the new schedule. You see they have a different bugle call for every formation and general orders. Four of us know all the calls but by watching the time of day we can tell what call it is. "First Call" precedes every formation. First Call at 4 A.M. means get up the next is Assembly which means get outside at 4:10 at Reville the Flag is hoisted. Of course the Mess call is the call to go to work. Then there is a Recall from Fatigue, Officers Call, First Sergeants Call, Sick Call etc. Retreat is sounded just before the flag is taken down and the Call to the Colors is sounded as the flag comes down. Then there is Tattoo at 9 P.M. Call to Quarters at 10:45 and Taps at 11 P.M. I think the prettiest sounding call of all is tattoo, but as it sounds at 9 P.M. most likely it sounds better than calls that are sounded at 4 or 5 A.M. To the men it would seem so anyway. Ha Ha!
Two or three of the boys have started an argument now and I can not write very well, so I'll close. I think this letter is long enough anyway. You may think I am getting extravagant with my new paper too So, I am,
Most Sincerely,
Roy D.
Dear Friend:
This evening I am going to try the paper you were so kind to send me and for which I sincerely thank you. But I must ask your pardon for always using a pencil. To tell the truth I am a poor hand at writing with a pen and always hate to use one.
I received your very welcome letter of the 29th and enjoyed it very much. It was longer than most of your letters and those are the kind I like. I may be selfish in this matter but nevertheless it is the truth. My own letters, perhaps, are not as long as they might be and I know not half as interesting as they might be, but if I do my best surely they have some cause to be excused.
I suppose Memorial Day was observed in your town in a fitting manner, was it not? All the parades and suitable homage to the departed veterans? They gave us a holiday here at the Field and most of the boys went to Memphis. I among them, but there was no holiday there. The only places closed being the Banks. Stores were open and business as usual. But you know this is the South and May 30th is a Northern Holiday. I think some of the Southern States have a Memorial Day some time in April. I am not sure.
I was in Memphis but a short time and while there saw a small show. Last night I was in with my truck and on the way back was caught in a rain and got wet through and through, getting back to camp at 10:30.
They started a new schedule here last week. We now get up at 4 A.M. go to work at 5:30 work till 10:30 have a lunch at 11 and drill from 11:15 to 12 M then we rest till 1:45 when we have dinner then we go to work at 2:30 and work till 8:00 stand Retreat at 8:30 and have supper immediately after so that we are all through by about 9:15 when we can go to bed (if we want to.) It makes long days. I do not know just what the idea is but no other camp in the country does it. Saturdays, of course, are not so long as we are through by 5 oclock. I worked last Sunday and worked today but should have next Sunday off.
Our roses, lilacs and snowballs here have been over long ago and it seems to me that it should be August or September instead of June. Most of our boys here are "Huskies" now alright but if the warm weather keeps up I am afraid we shall lose some of our weight. I am already losing a little, but I really did weigh a little too much. Two weeks ago I weighed 171 but have fallen to 165.
I am glad to know you like School but those questions you mentioned, I fear, are too much for me. I remember them though for I went to Normal School several months. You would not believe it would you? Ha, Ha! Anyway, I hope you got your Chickens and Dutchmen straightened out.
Perhaps you will not understand Reville, Retreat, etc., when you read of the new schedule. You see they have a different bugle call for every formation and general orders. Four of us know all the calls but by watching the time of day we can tell what call it is. "First Call" precedes every formation. First Call at 4 A.M. means get up the next is Assembly which means get outside at 4:10 at Reville the Flag is hoisted. Of course the Mess call is the call to go to work. Then there is a Recall from Fatigue, Officers Call, First Sergeants Call, Sick Call etc. Retreat is sounded just before the flag is taken down and the Call to the Colors is sounded as the flag comes down. Then there is Tattoo at 9 P.M. Call to Quarters at 10:45 and Taps at 11 P.M. I think the prettiest sounding call of all is tattoo, but as it sounds at 9 P.M. most likely it sounds better than calls that are sounded at 4 or 5 A.M. To the men it would seem so anyway. Ha Ha!
Two or three of the boys have started an argument now and I can not write very well, so I'll close. I think this letter is long enough anyway. You may think I am getting extravagant with my new paper too So, I am,
Most Sincerely,
Roy D.
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