Loyola University Maryland - Evergreen / Green and Gray Yearbook (Baltimore, MD)

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EIGHT EUYOLA HOYS IN GAMP Standing. left to right — STAN. COOK. NEIL GOKGORAN, YILLIAM KEATING, .TEUOME WALSH. Sitting, left to right — EKED. DEWP.EKKY, THOMAS AKTHUR, STE YART EENAYICK. HUGH McLOUGHLIN with the other, joys, sorrows, and planning what we would do upon our arrival “Over There.” We had renewed our former strong friendships, and were quite contented, until one day a large number of men were called to go away. All of these boys, whom I had grown to know even better than before, and to look for each evening, left us bright and early the following A. M. It was indeed hard to lose them, and the incvitalile lump was in my throat as I hade them good-bye, but we soon became accustomed to this happening, and now when troops are leaving there is just a cheery good-bye and good luck, and with a wave of the hand they are off. You probably recall our jiarade in Baltimore, in October, I think it was. We all looked anxiously forward to that day, and when, during the storm and rain, it seemed as though we would not go, we were surely disheartened, but it cleared later in the day, and our jog of two miles or so to the trains tlirough the mud was as nothing to us. We rode to tlie city in dark coaches, singing during the entire trip, and were glad we were on our way. Arriving in Baltimore we formed for parade, and I know many hearts were swelled with pride among us as we marched 29

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tired, we plod wearily home eaeh evening, hul never diseouraged or with daini)ened si)irits, for we all know that it is all work towards the one end, that of defeating the areh enemy of eivilization in his mad and monstrous ambition. My stay in eamp here has been very agreeable. Many aecjiiaintanees of years’ standing were renewed. There is Hoyle and Keelan and many of the others of Loyola, whom I have met sinee eoming here, and it eertainly was good to meet them and talk over bygone days and of Loyola. No doubt you at home wonder how we utilize our idle hours; that is to say, our former idle hours. I will endeavor to relate a few of our many methods of enjoying ourselves. Before eoming to the Training Camj) for Officers, which opened January 5, I was attached to Company “C,” of the 313th. I luul been j)romoted to sergeant and acted as 1st sergeant on numerous occasions and, therefore, was kept quite busy; hut despite the manifold duties of these positions I had plenty of opportunities for relaxation and pleasure. Our chief sport in the first months here was, of course, baseball ; then came football, and later came the gathering around our big fires here, singing and relating experiences of our young lives. Then later on the “Y ' s” and K. of C. Buildings were opened. Music, motion pictures, box- ing contests, hasketbalt and entertainments of all dcscrijitions vere suiijilied in these buildings, and the efforts of these organizations, to disjiel gloom and break the monotony of canij) life, arc indeed successful. Their work is wonderful. In the early months, Wednesday and Sat- urday afternoons and all day Sunday, the camp was open to visitors, who thronged here in great numbers, and it is a sight worth seeing to view mothers, wives, sweethearts, brothers and sisters strolling about the camp. Many times I had visitors and many times I did not; on (he latter occasions I busied myself with reading until I would fall asleej), which usually was not long after I had begun to read. You know sleej)- ing, or “hunk fatigue,” is one of our chief occupations when not engaged otherwise, and soldiers surely can sleep despite the fact that snores are as loud as big guns. We have a great variety of snoring. During the cold winter months, things were not c[uitc as comfortable as they would have been at home, and there were ([uite a few hardships to he borne, which were new to us; hut we soon became accustomed to them and grumbling and discontent vanished as we did. One of the distinct happenings that will ever remain with me is the dci)arture of many of my friends from our Com])any. Shortly, or rather a jnonth or so after we arrived, all the boys whom I had known in childhood and my early youth were sent away, and it was a ])arting that I will never forget. On our trip down to caini) we had renewed ac([uaintanceshi])s, and were all together in barracks as one ha])py family, each sharing 28

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])ast our honu ' folks vho braved tlie cold weather lo see us. 1 was ))roud and ha|)i)y to be wearing good old Uncle Sam ' s uniform, and |)arading in his cause. It was (jiiile a hike, that in Ballimore, to us rookies, and we needed very little rocking to go lo sleej) on our return that night, after i)artaking of Ihe “mess” our Mess Sergeant liad j)re- j)ared for us during our aljsenee. At tile Training Seliool for Oflieers we liave lieen working quite strenuously the past three months, hut it has been for a great goal, and one worthy of our best efforts. Those of us who are successful or fortunate in being eommissioned can proudly say they have earned it, while those who are less fortunate can say “work well done,” and need not he discouraged or disheartened, though of course, we will feel keenly the disaj)])ointment. I am hoping and praying that I shall he successful, for nothing would jilease me better in this life than to he an otticer in charge of good American lads to lead against the Kaiser and his brutal hordes. I met Keating and Corcoran shortly before they left for the South, and had quite a little chat with them. I also accidentally met J. Joyce some time ago in Baltimore. He had just received his commission. I had a very enjoyable chat with him, and before we had finished, it became a miniature reunion, for D. Lodcn came upon the scene and the buzzing then became equivalent to any women’s meeting. I want to say a word or two with reference to the good, dear women folks at home; the hajijiiness they have given to the many hoys in the various camps is inestimahle. Their work and efforts for our comfort encourage us, and will he the means of inciting us to our best efforts in every branch of this great game of war. God grant them strength, health and courage to continue their nohle work and sacrifices! And now with every good wish for the welfare of Loyola and its faculty, and my sincere good wishes to you, 1 hid you vale. John J. Stevenson. P. S. — 1 have heen awarded a ing School. Certificate of Eligibility at the Train- Camp McClellan, Ala. Your very thoughtful rememhrance of me on this Christmas is a])iircciated more than 1 can begin to tell you. 1 also received a card from Father Ennis, from Washington, for which 1 wish you would thank him for me. Harry Gallighcr has heen commissioned a second lieutenant, and Edgar Curran and Jerry Joyce have jiassed successfully the examination for a second lieutenancy for the regular Army and have left for Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. 30