TRANSCRIBED FROM THE SHARP COUNTY RECORD NOVEMBER 29, 1918 P. 2
Editor Record:
I have just received a Sharp County Record from homefolks, and it made me feel like I was at home again to read it.
Of course everyone now knows the war is over, but civilians can enjoy that fact much more than marines, for we work steadily, as if the Hun were carrying on a great offensive on the western front. Before I left home I had an idea that a soldier had one of the softest jobs in existence, for all soldiers seem to have good times on the outside. But there is a reason for that. Soldiers in camp scarcely ever have liberty to great extent, and when they get on the outside they seem to overestimate their freedom.
Camp life is all right if you are all right, but if you fail to like it, as some do, you are out of luck. For me it is a good life, but since the war is over almost every marine had rather be at home, for he feels that he does no one any good while waiting to be mustered out of service.
The marine corps surely deserves the name it has, for the first thing they tried to teach me was to forget mercy and to kill men, It is said that a non commissioned officer in the marine corps has the power and ability of a Lieutenant in the national army. The first three things taught to a recruit are, first, obedience, second, obedience, and third, obedience. The marine discipline is more strict than in any organization of a military character in the United States. I have not seen or heard of a man in the marine corps from Arkansas, so you can imagine how familiar I am on Paris Island, South Carolina.
Religion is not strictly observed in the marine corps, but probably about as much as among many civilians.
I could write much more, but will close by wishing all Sharp county people good luck.
Simon O. Norris
Paris Island, S.C.
NOTES: Norris was from Poughkeepsie, Arkansas. He was born on October 26, 1897 and died on June 8, 1873. He is buried in the Baker Cemetery at Ozark Acres, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as Pvt. US Marine Corps. He is listed as a South Carolina soldier.
TRANSCRIBED BY KOBE HEAGERTY
Editor Record:
I have just received a Sharp County Record from homefolks, and it made me feel like I was at home again to read it.
Of course everyone now knows the war is over, but civilians can enjoy that fact much more than marines, for we work steadily, as if the Hun were carrying on a great offensive on the western front. Before I left home I had an idea that a soldier had one of the softest jobs in existence, for all soldiers seem to have good times on the outside. But there is a reason for that. Soldiers in camp scarcely ever have liberty to great extent, and when they get on the outside they seem to overestimate their freedom.
Camp life is all right if you are all right, but if you fail to like it, as some do, you are out of luck. For me it is a good life, but since the war is over almost every marine had rather be at home, for he feels that he does no one any good while waiting to be mustered out of service.
The marine corps surely deserves the name it has, for the first thing they tried to teach me was to forget mercy and to kill men, It is said that a non commissioned officer in the marine corps has the power and ability of a Lieutenant in the national army. The first three things taught to a recruit are, first, obedience, second, obedience, and third, obedience. The marine discipline is more strict than in any organization of a military character in the United States. I have not seen or heard of a man in the marine corps from Arkansas, so you can imagine how familiar I am on Paris Island, South Carolina.
Religion is not strictly observed in the marine corps, but probably about as much as among many civilians.
I could write much more, but will close by wishing all Sharp county people good luck.
Simon O. Norris
Paris Island, S.C.
NOTES: Norris was from Poughkeepsie, Arkansas. He was born on October 26, 1897 and died on June 8, 1873. He is buried in the Baker Cemetery at Ozark Acres, Arkansas. His military headstone identifies him as Pvt. US Marine Corps. He is listed as a South Carolina soldier.
TRANSCRIBED BY KOBE HEAGERTY