One of t he more , int er
esting occupations the
Marine Corps has today
is the Field Music Always
a colorful and diversif
ied job,the music started
out as a ’‘fifer** that
played commands during
attacks and for drilland
ceremony.The fife didn‘t
make enough noise so the
bugler cane into the picture in 1881*
Today, the Field Music . has . many
jobs—sounding all calls such as
Reveille, Mail Call,Physical Train
ing, Inspection Chll, etc. He might
be in a Drum and Bugle Corps, Color
Detail, ceremony or parade, or one
of a dozen other things. During war
time, a music man is as much a Mar
ine as anybody; being a rifleman,
giving assitance to the Medics or
Chaplain, a Commander*s runner, be
sides keeping morale high with his
playing> A famous story that came
out of the Chosin Rese.rv3.or with the
First Marine Division was about the
bugler that grenaded a Chinese Comm
ander and his aide, stole the aide* s
bugle and started blowing such
wierd sounds, the Chinese were com
pletely confused as to what commands
to follow., This, of course, defec
ted the Chinese attack. and they
;were thrown back with little or no
damage to the Allied troops. Admit
ted, the music man doesn*t sound
like the latest thing in clock
radios at 05^0 each morning, but we
think nail-call is sweet sounding
music and give him credit for doing
a good job* The Field Music is as
much a part of the Marine Corps org
anization as any rifleman.doing any
The ferine running around the Bar
racks here with the long, sad look on
his face is the one in charge of our
Toys for Tots drive and that's the rea
son for the sad look. He reports that
contributions have come to am all-time
LOW in the last ten days. And Just
when things were looking good too,with
heavy contributing the first part of
the drive. Marines have paint and
brush, hammer and nails, and Just ab
out any other fix-it item needed,wait
ing for soiiie old toys to come in. Or
how about some children's books that
your kids are through with,maybe even
a good comic book. You are reminded
that a new toy is even better, Next
time you stop by Toyland, pick up a
box of crayons, coloring book, some
baloons, or bubble gum, a ball or a
stuffed toy. They're inexpensive and
it gives that big ol' heart of yours
an opportunity to swell up with that
’’good Joe’* feeling we all like to have*
It doesn't take much to make a child
happy.
i
Marine Barracks will "be in compet
ition hot and heavy in the next Capt~
ainfs Trophy Bawling League, We have
three teams entered and some pretty
high averages have /been boastedaround.
The test of the cake is in the eating,
hut we111 he behind our teams and
think they’ll make a good showing*
jot for which he is called. upon.
All Marines and any other interested servicemen are reminded that the Stat
ion Library holds some outstanding hooks-' on ferine action during the World Wars,
Chances are, your favorite military leader*s war memoirs can he found at the
library also. It is exciting and suspenseful reading-.~following the plans of
these men. Books about military and political organization of other count ries
(Including Russia) are available and which are factually informing as well.