Hi Roger Pommerenke,
GREAT JOB on the Argonne Rebels web page!!!
I saw your query about whether the rifles were able to fire live ammunition and/or had a firing pin. I can assure you that they did fire live ammo as one of the dummies in the corps fired a so called "blank cartridge" at me. Fortunately, it missed, but the blast was hot on my face and the "bullet" whizzed by my ear!
What the shooter didn't realize was that the "blank" had a paper bullet that would probably have penetrated my body and/or put out an eye if it had hit the target.
After I chewed the "shootist" out real good, he was apologetic, as he did not realize how dangerous a situation it was.
We were good friends so I didn't bang him up -- but it never happened again to anyone.
I don't remember where he got the cartridges, but he had more than one
-- until I confiscated them. heh heh
I've been trying to find pictures of the years that I was in the corps, 1952 - 55, but haven't had any luck.
Does anyone have any pictures during that time frame that you know about?
I have a couple of Polaroids that have lost a lot of their color but will try to restore them in Photoshop after the first of the year. They were taken in Great Bend at Main and the highway. I will be spending the next two months at MD Anderson Cancer Clinic in Houston, Texas, but if I can remember to get the pictures out, maybe I can take them to fix up. Are you interested in them for the web page?
I don't remember Jacqueline Carlene "Jackie" Johnson and her saber when I was in the corps but she was a Sophomore in 1954-55 and she was a B cheerleader along with "Punky" Ford, who I think was in the corps. I don't remember Marilynn Johnson either, but both Johnsons may have been there.
Heck, I can't remember where I was last week.
Wynette McCarter was our drum majorette.
The additional information and history of the Great Bend area you have included in the web page are great additions!
Thanks for the informative web site and your hard work!
Gary Shields - Class of '55 & Rebels '52-'55