Josh Udy

Brady Bergeson

ENGL 322

5 December 2017

Steady

The year was 1944 and World War II was raging across the Atlantic Ocean in Europe.

Germany, led by Adolf Hitler, was taking the continent by storm. The war was all anyone could

talk about in town. I suppose that made sense. Ever since the start of the war there had been

rumors of the United States getting dragged into the war. Many people believed that the U.S.

should just stay out of the conflict, however, there were also those that believed America stood

for something greater than itself and should do the right thing and join in and stomp out the axis

powers.

I lived just outside of a small town on a farm near the coast in North Carolina. I was 19

years old and had just finished high school due to having to repeat my junior year. I wasnt all

that smart, but I didnt really have to be. It was decided the day I was born I would be the one to

take over my fathers farm when he became too old to run it. I tried my best to just accept my

role in life, but I knew I had a different calling. Ever since I was young Ive always loved to

draw. I would spend most of my free time in my room drawing and over the years I became quite

good at it. My father thought that it was just a waste of time and would get upset when he would

catch me in the shed doodling when I was supposed to be out mowing the lawn. My mother,

however, supported my drawing and always had nice things to say. You have such a steady

hand! She would always say, It really is something special.

 I was in my room drawing and could hear the hum of the radio on in the kitchen. My

father was always hovering around that radio or reading the weekly newspaper whenever he

wasnt busy in the field. He always liked to keep himself updated on the current events of the

war. I was just finishing up a sketch of our house when I heard heavy footsteps heading towards

my door. I quickly stashed the notebook I was sketching on in the drawer of my desk just as the

knob to my door started to turn. Hey Mark, my dad started, entering my room, Give me a

hand herding the cows back into the barn. Theyre being stubborn. His gaze moved to my desk

where my pencil was still sitting, and he pursed his lips.

Oh uh Yeah, sure. Lets head out now. I replied quickly. He sighed and turned

around and made his way back into the kitchen. I slipped my pencil into the drawer with my

sketch and headed for the kitchen. I was an only child, so it was always pretty quiet around the

house besides the occasional clanging of dishes and the constant droning of the radio.

deploy ground forces in Europe. Roosevelt made the decision this morning in a

meeting with congress. Men are now being selected- I clicked off the radio as I entered the

kitchen.

Hello honey, My mother said with a smile. She was knitting together a blanket at the

kitchen table. Suddenly there was knocking on the front door. Ill get it, My mother said rising

from her chair in the living room. I went in the kitchen, grabbed an apple off the counter, and

took a bite. After a few moments I heard my name called from the front door. Curious, I made

my way to the front door. I saw my mother and my father standing with a man in an army

uniform on the front porch. As I approached I noticed suppressed tears in my mothers eyes.
 Ahh, this must be the young man, The man said cheerfully. I am Sergeant Charles

Humphrey. Its a pleasure to meet you. He stuck out his hand to me. I shook his hand while I

met his gaze.

Likewise. I said still wondering what was going on.

I am here to inform you that you have been drafted by the U.S. Military. The convoy

will be leaving for our base in South Carolina in an hour. I am here to bring you to meet up with

the convoy. All the necessities will be provided to you at the base so just bring a small bag of

anything you might want to bring. I swallowed and nodded.

Alright, I said, Let me just grab some stuff.

Of course. Just dont take too long. We have a schedule to follow. I knew that the draft

was active because of the war, but the realization that I was selected was hard to swallow. I went

back inside and grabbed my old backpack from high school. I pulled my notebook out of my

desk along with a few pencils and put it in the bag. After I gave one final look throughout my

room I decided there was not much else I wanted to bring, so I headed back outside. My mom

cried as we said goodbye, but my dad was just quiet for the most part. After I said my goodbyes I

started for the car.

Are you ready now? The sergeant asked.

Yeah, I think so, I responded.

Alright lets get going then, he said. He swung open the door to the vehicle and I

followed suit. I waved to my parents as we drove down the dusty driveway. The sergeant was
quiet as we turned onto the main road. I had so many questions I wanted to ask but I knew better

than to interrupt the silence in the air. A few minutes later he broke the silence himself.

I know this is probably a lot for you, but youre doing your country a great service.

Once we get to camp youll go through basic training with the rest of the draftees. We arent

going to send you anywhere until you are ready, he said. I just nodded and turned to look out

the window. I was definitely scared, but I knew I had to suck it up and help out the best I could.

We finally pulled up at the edge of town to see a convoy of about 12 large army vehicles used to

transport people. Our vehicle screeched to a stop and Sergeant Humphrey hopped out and I

grabbed my bag and followed behind him.

Your transport vehicle is the third one from the front. Ill be driving up separately. Go

ahead and check in. I hope to see you at base, Humphrey said with a nod. I nodded back and

turned my attention to the convoy. I swung my bag over my shoulder and went over to my

transport. I came up to the back of the truck to a man holding a clipboard.

Name? He asked without looking up from his clipboard.

Uh... Mark. Mark Wright. I responded. He made a check mark on his clipboard and

waved me in to the back of the vehicle. I stepped up onto the back of the vehicle and ducked

through the canvas covering. Inside there were 6 other men. It looked as if I was the youngest of

them all. I took a seat in the back corner where there was a little more room.

Tough luck kid. You must barely be 18. Hope the military isnt too rough on ya, said a

man that looked to be in his early 30s. I gave him the acknowledgement he was looking for and

then kept my head down to avoid any further interactions. A few minutes later the flap to the

back of the truck opened to reveal a familiar face. He was a boy named Tom that was a year
above me in high school. We never really talked to each other in high school, but it was still

relieving to at least someone I recognized. He must have recognized me as well because he

moved my way and sat next to me in the transport.

Hey, youre Mark, right? He asked. We went to high school together.

Yeah, I replied, It looks like theres a lot of peoples being drafted at once all of a

sudden. Its sort of strange.

Oh, you didnt hear? He asked. The U.S. is sending ground troops to Europe to stop

the Nazi invasion. We are the reinforcements. The decision was made today in response to the

attack on Pearl Harbor. The man with the clipboard then opened the door to the drivers side

and climbed in. Looks like were about to get going, Tom said. At that, the engine roared to

life and the driver shifted the car into gear and we were off. Along the way Tom and I talked

more about the war and whether we would be in combat or not. I certainly hoped that I wouldnt

be.

In the field is where all the fun is at, The man across from us said. Whats the fun in

being in the back lines. The front lines are where all the action is at.

I dont know. Dying just doesnt seem all that appealing to me, Tom said. The man

gave a little laugh and for the rest of the time it was relatively quiet. I pulled out my notebook

after the first hour of driving and continued to work on the drawing of my home I was doing by

memory the best I could. After about 3 total hours of stops and driving we finally made it to the

base in South Carolina called Fort Sumter. We all piled out of the vehicle and were all ordered to

different bunkers where we would be staying during training.

 Get to rest boys, A man in a large hat was saying, We are going to be up bright and

early at 6 am tomorrow to work on some conditioning. There were multiple groans around the

room. There was a neatly folded uniform at the end of the bed I was assigned to along with

boots and a tag. I pulled my notebook out of my bag again and sat down with it in bed. After 10

minutes of drawing I completed the sketch of my home I was working on. I held the picture out

in front of me and sighed. Then before I knew it the picture was ripped from my hand.

Oh, come on. We just got here and youre homesick already, the man said looking at

my paper.

Its just a drawing. Im fine, I replied reaching for my paper. He yanked it away from

me again.

We better hope so, He started, Because if we have some no good, homesick kid

watching our back in Europe none of are gonna last very long.

He said hes fine, Tom stepped in from the bunk next to mine.

Now you have someone else fighting your battles for ya? Listen kid, you better perform

in basic tomorrow or Im gonna make sure youre not gonna make it to the beaches. One way or

another, The man dropped my sketch on the ground and stormed off across the bunker. I let out

the breath I didnt realize I had been holding.

Dont worry about him. Everyones kinda just off because of the war. Hes just full of

hot air, Tom said handing my paper to me. It certainly didnt seem like that was just hot air to

me.

Yeah, I know. Im gonna get to bed. Its been a long day, I replied.
 Yeah definitely. Goodnight. Tom said getting into bed. I slid my notebook under my

pillow and rolled over. Uneasy thoughts crossed my mind as I slowly drifted to sleep.

Conditioning the next morning was awful. Our Drill Sergeant ran behind us threatening

bathroom duties to anyone he caught up to on our 4-mile run. I managed to stick with Tom

throughout the training. The years on the farm heaving hay bales and chasing down stray animals

mustve paid off. I noticed the man from last night keeping his eyes on me and that was really

making me nervous. After the 3 hours of conditioning we all moved to the mess hall to eat. All

they had for us was porridge that was thicker than it was thin. Tom stuck with me and sat by me

during breakfast which I was extremely grateful for. This would all have been much more

difficult alone. After about 20 minutes we were all called to come outside and were led to the

North side of camp away from the bunkers. Sure enough, waiting for us there was everyones

favorite Drill Sergeant.

Alright boys. Its time for some target practice, The Drill Sergeant said. Around 50

rifles were on racks outside. This is an M1 Garand, the standard issued weapon for combat we

will be using. For those of you that are familiar with guns please grab a weapon and a box of

ammunition and go with Sergeant Humphrey over here. If you have no previous practice with a

firearm then please stay with me over here. Ive been hunting since I was 12 so I considered

myself to be handy with a firearm. Plus, I would rather work with Humphrey, who I was familiar

with, than the drill officer. Tom and I moved towards Humphreys line. I stood patiently in line

waiting for my weapon. When I finally received my weapon, it felt unnaturally cold against my

hands.

Alright now come with me this way, Sergeant Humphrey said to our groups. He turned,

and we followed him to the far side of the camp where there was a firing range already setup.
The man from last night was in my group and he eyed me coldly as he walked passed me to the

first station.

Lets see what you can do kid, he said.

Line yourself up with a target. Since youre saying you are familiar with firearms I

assume there wont be a problem with loading your weapon, Humphrey said. Tom and I moved

to the targets at the end and began preparing our weapon. The rifle was fairly similar to the

hunting rifle I used. I was able to load it fairly easily as I inspected the weapon. There was no

scope on the weapon which was different then what I was used to, but the iron sights seemed

easy to line up. Ive always had a pretty good shot, even better than my fathers.

Once you are ready go ahead and line up your shot, but dont shoot until I tell you

otherwise, Humphrey ordered.

Hows your shot? Tom whispered while peering down his sights.

Its alright I suppose. I said fairly confident.

Well I guess well find out, He replied. I braced my weapon up against my shoulder

and peered down my sights. The target was only about 30 yards out, so it wasnt too difficult of a

shot.

Alright, shoot when you are ready, Humphrey said. A few shots farther down the line

went off right away. After a few more seconds Toms weapon went off. Ill show them what I

can do. I closed my left eye, and lined up the end of the barrel with the little notch of the iron

sights. I held the bullseye in the sights with my aim unwavering. Inhale. You have such a steady

hand! It really is something special. My mothers words rung in the back of my head. Exhale.