ROTC Training Center - Sand Yearbook (Camp Custer, MI)

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Casey's Picnic ARTICLE WINNING FIRST PRIZE XYrittcn by Arnold llarcy Friedman, Co. 2, R. O. 'l'. C., Camp Custer, Michigan. Stn- dcnt Arnold ID. l ricdman's home is SIS NN. Sixth St., Little Rock, Ark. llefore coming to Custer for the summer camp he attended school at the University of lllinois, Cham- paign, Ill. The rakishly tilted electric leered at us from behind the lonely little station and the few girls that we saw caused us to have the painful recollection that there wcre seven hundred famished R. 0. T. C. youths to be fed. VVe fell into ranks from the force of habit, then shouldering our packs, trudged in the sand past the line of refreshment booths, the chugging motor boats and festooned cottages. XVe had almost arrived at the deep-rooted conviction that the shores of Gull Lake were simply a continuation of the Desert of Sahara, when we stumbled out of the woods into the weedy clearing which had been prepared for our camp. A long wrangling now ensued under the blazing sun as the front rank men absolutely refused to show the least particle of intelligence in lining up for the pitching of shelter tents. There were no ropes in packs where ropes ought to have been, the tent pegs driven in the ground just as resolutely came out again. And our hunger was in direct ratio to the heat, for it had been a good six hours since breakfast, and when one is accustomed to three army squares a day, a meal becomes noticeable by its absence. But still we didn't lose faith. Casey had said there would be .a great time for us and we knew that Casey never broke a promise. But just as our confidence was being tested to the utmost, the eats came upon us in all force. Wfhat matter if at first that gang ahead lounged along futilly attempting to grab everything in sight. One finally came to the three ladies from Kalamazoo, of the VVar Camp Community who we1'e dressed in pink, blue and yellow and who were dishing forth everything from veal loaf and pimento cheese to chocolate cake and mayonnaise dressing, handed out smiles and grub in equal profusion. In order to facilitate the handling of the immediate business in hand, we stretched ourselves out on the ground, keeping one eye on our food, and the other on the lookout for new provender. ln a few minutes, the cry went out that Casey was slinging lemonade and to a man the regiment made a rush attack in mass formation upon the stand, one-half of our eatables stuffed in copious mouths and the other half zigzagging around the edges of the meat cans. Gallon after gallon of lemon elixir went down, and there was little doubt that the gait would drink the entire lake dry if there was a sufficient supply of lemons and sugar to go with it. A fortunate huzza from the right Hank to the effect that peanuts and or- anges were being surrendered mercilessly by Casey, turned the tide of the at- tack in that direction. The rest of the day was just a glorious mix-up of fun and eats and eats and fun. Ifach man had already gotten away with enough picnic delicacies to fur- 20

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nish a day's supply for a corporal's guard, yet the quantities of oranges and peanuts and ice cream that were consumed caused the native population of Gull Lake to gather around in awe-stricken circles. Get ready for the boats, was Casey's new exhortation and the most active, holding' on to peanuts-stuffed pockets made a flying tackle on the tirst boats. The most of us hied ourselves over to the dance, where we joyfully tripped or stumbled along with three or four hundred girls from Kalamazoo. Meanwhile boatload after hoatload of R. O. T. C. and newly acquired female friends from the dance, were contin- ually leaving for the lake trip. Everywhere the cheerful Casey was in evidence. Lost your boat ticket? sure here's another one. Everybody hurry up for the pie-eating contest, Hang around for the races, called out Casey time and time agam. VVe held our sides from laughing at the frantic endeavors of the pie-eaters to destroy their portions, not caring whether the most of the pie went into ears and nose rather than their mouthsf Although we had not yet ceased to marvel at Casey's generosity in throwing this thing on such a large scale, we drew in another gasp as we saw him gleefully handing out greenback after greenback to the winners of the various contests. Then back to the dance, and the refreshments, and the boats. And, oh, that boatride, when it tinally came one's turn to go. The fair damsel from Kala- mazoo very attentively listened to the account of how one was permanent stu- dent captain of Company 2, and how the folks had just bought another Packard in addition to the two already at home, and so on for the entire blissful four- teen miles. , 'I Now the water of the lake took on all the colors of the rainbow from the setting sun, the cooks rattled away the few barely-touched mess outfits, and the cloud of dust from her departing car was all that remained of the one girl. The Fourth of .luly was over. Off with the old shirt, a kick to the snoring hunkie, and we were ready for the night. The ground was hard and lumpy, and the mosquitoes tlitting in and out through the ill-titting net kept one awake for what seemed eternity. llut finally. the little star twinkling brightly through the flap of the tent grew fainter and fainter, until at last assuming the distinct shape of Casey's good red emblem, it faded from view. 22