Underneath this "official" memo from Komrade Kommisionar, may well have been a somewhat less publicized suggestion to if not knock this tactic off completely and immediately (the one and only intelligent directive, wouldn't you say?), then (rather more likely) to excersize considerably more discretion and subtlty in the course of their indoctrinational missions. They done got caught; don't let it ever happen again!
(At least not the "caught" part.)
By the way, has anyone here dropped in over at Camp Keyes lately to check up on Corporal Mosher and Private/Chaplain's Assistant Gibson lately?
I figure that they probably finished peeling that deuce-and-a-half load of potatoes sometime yesterday afternoon, and the good Corporal should be well along in scouring the grease-trap outside the Mess Hall (bring back fond memories, anyone?)with a toothbrush. He should have it knocked off by, oh, about 0245 hours tomorrow Morning.
And the good Chaplain's Assistant; ah yes, I can picture the Dear Saint now, on his knees...
Spitshining a toilet bowl in the latrine.
Old man Tinkham was NOOOOOOT amused, was he, Gentlemen?
Somehow I don't think that either of these brave Soldiers will be available for comment any time soon.
Or any time later, for that matter.
But if this ever manages to get through to either of you, Gentlemen; at least one United States Army Veteran salutes you!
As an old PFC (Proud, FReeping Civilian)now, I might speculate that someone (or a few) higher up on the Chain of MNG Command may be deserving of a somewhat more "Lunar" salutation, if you catch my drift.
What you have done for the heroic Men and Women under your Command, as well as for their precious Families and Children, and for all Mainers who still somehow manage to Love our Country, cherish American LIBERTY, and respect our President has not gone without due notice; nor shall it pass without our sincere gratitude!
We regret that all too soon, Troops under your (former?) Command as well as many others will, in all probablility, be enduring conditions which would make that grease-trap and latrine a health - spa by comparison, and make that truckload of spuds seem like a recreational activity. They surely might stink to High Heaven, but not nearly as bad as VX nerve agent, ricin, or mustard gas we suppose.
War isn't always as simple as it used to be, is it?
Now it can be quite a challenge to discern just where the lines of Battle are drawn, and who the Enemy might be - before or behind, or perhaps even within them.
Old Thor demands many more forms of sacrifice than just his traditional tribute of seas of blood, and rivers of tears, doesn't he?
Some of us know that all too well, don't we Fellows?
I agree this is the thrust of the Kommisar's memo. Just letting them know to polish it up a little bit. "Hey, they're just kids, even you dolts should be able to trick them."
Your posts are very touching, Uncle Jaque.
For what it's worth, WVOM-FM, 103.9 ran the story for the second day in a row in its news.