US Naval Reserve Midshipmens School - Capstan Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

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ESPITE the burdening weight of his academic programg aching, tired musclesg tremendous homework assignments due on the morrow and apprehensions about imminent watch duties, the Blidshipman always reserved some time for the daily ritual of writing letters home. He knew well that continued correspondence re- quired mutual cooperation and, unless he had built a permanent nest in the Htreew, he enjoyed these few minutes of relaxation from his rigid routine. Mail delivery was an anxiously anticipated morn- ing feature and if that lWate of the Deck passed without leaving anything, the Middie's spirits dropped like a wallflower7s heart at ajunior Prom. Nostalgia crept around villainously and when- ever the pace slackened enough, providing time to reminisce, it struck its deadening claw. Nothing transformed gloom into gayety quicker than a heartening word from home .... I191l

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dxf, 4-, ,f 1 V 4' 9 , 51901 HERE are many vivid little memories of our hectic and happy days at Notre Dame that will live with us forever. Thus, whenever we chance to see a little black mutt, Spangled with dirty white markings, we will always think of Demerit,,' the true Yankee Doodle Dandy of the canine world. Affectionate toward all, but cautiously true to no one, he had a bold mien defiant of authority, regardless of the number of stripes it carried on its sleeve. Demerit,,' considering the miserable con- notations of the word, was not the most Hattering name to be given to anyone, but in this case, with- out a doubt, it was the most appropriate. Always alert to muster signals, he cut classes but was in our midst at almost every other time. He attended lectures in the Field House, wandered over for his chow when he felt the urge, followed the color guard out of step, had his picture taken at the swearing-in exercises, slept in the aisle during Happy Hour, Cdespite the vitality of the humorj and could always be seen in a crowd of blue uniforms. To him every Midshipman was a hero. But there were times when his Navy pride and patriotic zeal blotted out whatever inclinations he may have had to be courteous. His resentful barking and growling made many a civilian retrace his course and the khaki-clad Western Union boy can tell you about his predilection for blue. Then one day he was missing from the scene. They said he was sick. g'Who? 'Demerit' Sick lu It was as incredible as a menu substitute for potatoes. But it was true. Demerit was ill and they carted him away to the hospital. The veterinarian discovered that 'fDemerit's constitution needed some-ahAmending, and agreed, after hours of bargaining, to cure him for twelve dollars. No greater monument to his popularity can be had than the spirit of the Midshipmen in donating toward the fee. In no time at all he was back on the quadrangle wrestling and frisking with any middy who could spare a few minutes. During his absence there were countless substi- tutes, anxious to take over in the hearts of the Midshipmen, and there was one in particular, dis- tinguished by his consistently outrageous behaviour who was called Two-point-fourf' But there wasn't a Middie on the station who wouldn't say, Yeh, he's good. But he ain't 'Demeriti H

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r ,U QS OMEHOW we never could keep in step with the fellow in front of us, or the platoon leader at our side with his hup, two, three, four, hup-hup ..... H Maybe it was because the man behind us was always stepping on the heels of our newly polished shoes or maybe it was because we were accustomed to asserting our individuality. Then, one day, we got a drummer to assure a more even cadence. lt was a swell idea-except each suc- cessive drummer had his own notions about the correct beat and several of them thought they were Gene Krupas at the skins and pounded out cannabalistic tempos. Somehow we'd manage to hold an even pace for a few minutes but then we'd see the platoon ahead keeping a different one and the CPO would bark, 'iGet in step with the platoon aheadln YVe hadnlt varied one bit, but there we were, out of step again. Someday someone will take time out to analyze this thing and ascertain how 25 men can get out of step as a unit, and proffer a remedy. But until then, we,ll just have to keep changin, step or get stepped on . . . L1921 rf 'va ff' K ,. . V mg-rf, Y ,,:gi,g V E QNQY' K M M FT, , ua. K, rv. N 'Y -.w