Who could ever forget the voice of Hosea Smith ‘57 calling the battalion to attention? Hosea was a college cadet, Battalion Commander, a big guy, and so was his voice. He started out with a low tone and eventually raised his voice as if he were singing calling us to attention, drawing it out for (what seemed like forever) as the company commanders joined in followed by the platoon leaders and then he bellowed out the command “tenshut”!

Years later I had the opportunity to become the Battalion Adjutant at the Sunday Parades under the tutelage of James Headman. Saturday nites before the parade he would take me out on the parade field and run me through the commands……

Morning Formation Report… “Band Company absent 2 men sir” …Downs and Benjamin headed for the Fort Lauderdale Spring Break.

Back to the “Sounds” you can’t forget.
“Beat Halt” after you had just hidden in the corner of the quad or upstairs hall to skip one round of walking.

“Out of your holes!”

The sound of Captain “Deadweight” Taylor’s fraternity paddle finding its mark on my backside. (while not dropping the ashes from his cigarette).
The sound of the drumbeat to and from Sunday Night’s Church Services.
The happy sounds of promotions being read and the unhappy sound of them being taken away.

The sound of the revile band playing “jingle bells” instead of the required tunes. The sound of demerits for doing the same.
The sound of the Bugler playing “call to quarters” and all the time watching to make sure everyone was in their room by the last note.
“Sounds “If you don’t like my apples, don’t shake my tree” ---WJM
“Every year about this time” WJM
“I’ve called your mother to come get you” WJM
Sounds from Col Rawl “I’ve called your mother and you are staying”

Silver Taps played at Christmas time, myself in the quad and John Benjamin in “D” Company Hall.

Major Keene’s remarks about your speech as he tore his glasses off in disgust, (mumbled “huurrumff”) and gave his own rendition of your talk.

Sounds from the piano played by Col Richardson after the key were adjusted by a cadet the nite before. The sounds of Col. Richardson jogging down the front formation court on his way to work.

The soft well-spoken voice of col Turley speaking to us at morning chapel the issuing demerits that nite.

Sounds coming from a new cadet being introduced to the GI shower committee dressed in their back rain jacket , rain caps covers, flip lops, brushes and all-purpose cleanser.

The Battalion singing the Recessional at graduation ceremony

Waiting in JoAnn’s office and hearing her say that Col John was not in a good mood. The sound that followed was of Chevrons being torn off your shirt sleeve.

Sounds of the faculty giving me a standing applause as I walked across the stage to receive my diploma from WJM.

And finally, the last sounds at graduations.
“Company commanders take charge of your companies for the last time”
“Company attention….. Fall out!”

Hope these brought back some of your own memories…. LEST WE FORGET!

BINK WILSON 56-61