Roberta Writes – Reblog “The Soldier and the Radium Girl Part 1: The Bloom of Youth, Chapter 1: Enlist in haste, repent at leisure (cont. 4)” by Roberta Eaton Cheadle on Chewers by Masticadores

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Thank you to Nolcha Fox for sharing Part 4 of this series.

Jake Tanner

5 August 1917

“We train six days a week. The mornings comprise of drills. It was fun in the beginning, but the marching, saluting, presenting arms, and right and left about turns have become a bit repetitive after over three weeks. 

“Sarge says drills are important to teach us discipline, teamwork, alertness, and attention to detail, so we do it willingly enough. He’s a good man, a good teacher.”

Jake’s voice was lighthearted, reassuring them that everything was going well.

“You looked great out there, Jake,” Ma’s voice was soft. “The skirmish drill you boys conducted after the parade was well done.”

“I’m glad you thought so, Ma.”

“Go on, Jake,” Kate said. “What else are you learning?”

“At noon, we do an hour of calisthenics. We enjoy that hour. After lunch, it’s field training until 5 p.m. The field training’s not bad. There are dummies for bayonet practice and mock trenches like the ones in France.”

Kate’s blue eyes danced with interest, enticing him to say more about the training, but Ma’s face had an odd, pinched, white look, so he didn’t.

Jake also didn’t mention the choking dust that hung in a cloud over the fields and tents. It was better not to talk about this unpleasant and constant companion, which settled on all the men’s skins and uniforms, irritating their eyes, and scratching their throats, which were always dry, no matter how much water they drank.

Instead, he regaled them with an interesting tidbit: “The camp is fully electrified, isn’t that amazing? Sarge enforces the strict light-out at 10.30 p.m. policy, and you should hear Mike complain. You know what a night-owl he is!”

They both laughed.

Continue reading here: https://chewersmasticadores.wordpress.com/2025/11/07/the-soldier-and-the-radium-girl-part-1-the-bloom-of-youth-chapter-1-enlist-in-haste-repent-at-leisure-cont-4-by-roberta-eaton-cheadle/

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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