CHAPTER IX
SOMETHING SPECIAL
The period of their basic training at old Fort Des Moines was drawingto a close. Three more days and they would be scattered far and wide.Some, it is true, would remain for further training in the MotorTransport School, and Cooks’ and Bakers’ School. Some would take upofficers’ training, but out of the thousand who had been in trainingfor nearly four weeks, the greater number would be scattered to thefour winds.
“Just think,” Betty sighed as she and Norma stepped out into a gloriousspringlike morning. “To leave this lovely place for some Army camp!”
“But that’s why we came here!” Norma protested. “I’m eager to startdoing some real work.”
“Yes, and you’re just the one who is most likely to be kept here toenter officers’ training.” There was admiration in Betty’s voice, and asuggestion of envy. “Lucky girl, to have such a grand Dad.”
Then Norma made a strange remark. “I’m not sure that I want to be anofficer—at least, not yet.”
“Don’t be silly!” Betty exploded. “Who wouldn’t like to be an officer?When you arrive at your Army camp you’re right up there with the restof the officers.”
“Bill’s a buck private, and he’s good enough for me. Besides—Oh! Comeon. Let’s get our morning coffee. This is the day of the big parade.”
Yes, this was the day. And such a glorious day! For weeks it had beentoo cold for a parade. Snow had lain on the parade ground. But now thesnow was gone. The ground was frozen, but the sun was bright.
“Six thousand women!” Norma thought as a thrill ran up her spine.
Then suddenly her heart skipped a beat. She was to lead her owncompany. She was the only basic on whom such an honor had beenconferred. She would do her best. Would it be good enough? Then therewas that other—that very special thing. She shuddered afresh. And thatmorning for the first time she dropped her big handleless cup with abang and a splash on the table.
“Nerves,” suggested Betty.
“A bad omen.” Norma frowned.
“No, a good one,” Betty countered. “Shows you’re sweating them outright now. You’ll be cool as a cucumber when the time comes.”
At one-thirty that afternoon they assembled on the parade grounds.Slowly they formed into companies and took their places in line.
Since this was to be a gala occasion, a military band from an Army posthad been imported.
Each company had its flag and its leader. Norma thrilled to her fingertips as she stepped out before her “Hup! Two! Three!” Company.
“If only Dad were here!” she thought. “Why? Oh, why didn’t I ask him tocome!”
By the time they were all in their places, the reviewing stand was allaglitter with officers’ insignia and decorations.
A hush fell over the ancient parade ground.
As the band struck up _The Star-Spangled Banner_ they stood at rigidattention. When this was over, Norma glanced hastily over her company.It was perfect. Never, she was sure, had there been such a group ofgirls.
Suddenly the band struck up Sousa’s stirring march, _The Stars andStripes Forever_, and the parade began.
To Norma it was all a glorious dream. The flags, the music, the brightsunshine, great officers—some young and dashing, some subdued andgrave, standing in review.
“But this is only the beginning,” she told herself. “There is more—muchmore.”
This was true, for once as she drilled her own company at dusk on theancient grounds, having chosen a dark corner, they had put on somethingvery special. It had been great fun, and gave them a thrill as well.
They had, however, made one mistake—the red brick officer’s home facingthat corner of the parade ground was occupied by the commanding officer.
Hearing the rattle of drums, she had slipped on her fur coat and hadstepped out on the veranda.
“Thrilled and charmed,” as she expressed it, by their performance, shehad come down off the porch to congratulate their officer.
When she found a private at their head, she was amazed, for Norma wasputting her company through an intricate drill.
“My dear, it is marvelous!” she enthused, when it was over. “And thislittle—ah—specialty of yours is charming. Let us keep it a secret,shall we? Until the day of the parade?”
“You mean—” Norma stared.
“Your company shall do this as something extra after the parade isover.”
Norma gulped as she recalled the stirring words.
Without a word she saluted the commanding officer.
* * * * *
And that was why a chill sometimes ran up her spine, as the grandlittle army of WACs swept down the field. That certain “somethingextra” was yet to come.
The parade, with its marches and counter marches, in close formationand open formation, following the band down the long field and backagain, was an inspiring sight. There were those there that day whorealized as never before what war could do to a nation and her people.
Since it had been announced by megaphone that an extra feature wouldfollow the grand parade, the WACs, once their formation was broken,joined the onlookers at the side, all but Norma and her company. Thesehastened to one of the barracks.
Marching in close formation they were soon back on the field. However,three of their members had undergone a speedy transformation. Or werethey members of the company at all? The spectators were unable to tell.
Leading the trio was what appeared to be a tall, gray haired man. Inhis hand he carried a drum. Behind him marched a mannish figurecarrying a fife, and after him came a boy, also with a drum. Hatless,the man with the fife wearing a bandage on his head; and the other twolined up behind their leader, Norma, and behind them marched thekhaki-clad company.
Suddenly, at a signal from Norma, the trio snapped to attention.Instantly the roll of drums and the shrill whistle of a fife greetedthe listeners’ ears.
Then, electrified, the audience knew. The three figures represented apicture they had known from childhood, _The Spirit of Seventy-six_.
Led by these three, the khaki host marched with perfect rhythm halfwaydown the field and back again.
An awed silence followed. Then rose such a cheer as the ancientbarracks had seldom echoed back, even in the old Indian days.
Frightened—all but overcome by her sudden triumph, Norma tried to hideamong her now broken ranks, but all in vain.
She was searched out and led to the grandstand. The first person shemet was a distinguished-looking, gray-haired man with one empty sleeve.
“Dad!” she cried.
Soon she was being greeted by high-ranking officers and other honoredguests.
“I shall recommend you for officers’ training,” the commanding officerwhispered in her ear.
“Oh! But I’m not sure that I want to be an officer!” The cry escapedunbidden from Norma’s lips.
“We shall see,” was the reply.
Lieutenant Warren, her beloved Lieutenant, who was standing near, said:
“I would like to have you and your father at my house for dinnertonight. You know my house?”
Norma nodded.
“Will you come?”
Norma looked into her father’s eyes. Then she said, “Yes, thank you.That will be fine.”
As she stepped from the platform, Norma felt that she had lived a wholeweek in one short hour. But her day was not half done.
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