Inspection today. Everyone cleans up – himself and quarters. Then the company lines up and the captain examines each for neatness of uniform. Then comes inspection of quarters. Our row of tents was especially complimented.
They’re so darned paternal in the army. Tomorrow is Mothers’ Day. They ask every man to write a letter to his mother and lest there be some “alibis”, announce that paper and envelope may be had in the office. Two or three fellows had bloodshot eyes last week, not pink-eye, just colds. But today they examined all eyes.
At first you resent this business of the army assuming the powers of providence, your conscience, all responsibility and even your free will. But in time you get used to it, and sometimes even take some pride in it.
Except for the island part of it, this is a fine place to be stationed. There are not too many or too few men, and those in charge are regular chaps.
Letters from Sidney Friend During The Great War 