Enlisted Men

It was 15 days before Christmas and all through the Jefferson Club rang merry tunes and the clinking of friendly beer mugs. The occasion was in celebration of the following events: (1) Johnny Craig (the little Corporal) taking that sad, but seemingly inevitable step . . . marriage. (2) Carl Helgard Hartwig, (the yooman-in-charge), moving from 1st class to Chief. (3) Johnny Carey, more commonly known as "Sandy," moving up into the rate of 1st class storekeeper, and the Christmas season in general. However, as the evening progressed the components of the group found new and interesting things to celebrate.

There was a sufficiency of food and in certain cases, almost an over sufficiency of liquid refreshment. I was sincerely surprised at the abundance of talent that sprang up that evening of December 10. It was generally said that in comparison to our Hubert Hufferd that "The Voice" Sinatra is in the bush-leagues. He has not only the proper treble and volumes, but our boy has ENDURANCE. There are very few people who can stand at the "mike" and sing for a period of an hour or so without stopping for a breath.

Also, a real impersonation that was as good as the real thing, was portrayed by our inevitable "Reggie" (for Regimental) Colvin. Sally Keith heard about the act and sent her resignation immediately to her agent saying that she wanted to quit while she was still famous.

The closest thing to professional entertainment was given by "Irish Puss" Gibbons with his priceless solos of old Irish songs accompanied by the inimitable pianist Howie Locke. I could honestly listen to this combination for hours, but this duet hasn't got the endurance of the aforementioned Hubert I could ramble on and on about the new-found talent, but it would run into somebody else's column.

The overseers and honored guests of the party were the staff officers who attended. Yours truly was selected from a group of two to act as a poor imitation of master-of-ceremonies. (The other delegate did not attend.) The guests that were introduced were Lt. (jg) E. A. Juhl who gave us an interesting and humorous poem, Lt. (jg) A. E. Kenison who gave us a professional version of night-club entertainment, also our Oklahoma disbursing Officer, Lt. (jg) L. F. Worley, who drawls so slow that we heard his speech five minutes after he left the platform.

One of the hits of the evening was Lient. E. O. Elmer. His performance was rather complicated and somewhat unexplainable, but if you should perchance see him in the near future ask him to give you the story on Archibald S. Holbrook--really something. Also introduced was Lt. (jg) H. M. Hansen who gave an interesting talk to the amusement of all present--And so a good time was had by all.