After some reasoning I made it to the military camp-site. The
lieutenant was very hostile everyone in base. Emmanuel, a guy I met while I was
walking there was threatened gun point and order inside. I know France was rude
but this was ridiculous.  

As soon I got inside headquarters, I was quickly stripped down to
my underwear. I'm so glad I wore a clean pair this week. I felt weird walking
along with strange uniform men striped boxer shorts and a tank top. Luckily, I
wasn't the only one. Up ahead I can the pride of the French army.

Liberté

Egalité

Fraternité

That was
plastered all over the wall. I ordered to wait among the undress men until
orders were given. The process went rather quickly and the lieutenant, the same
one who yell at Emmanuel, order me out of the room (still in my underwear) to
be uniformed and ready to train.

I have to say…the uniform didn’t quite fit me as well as I
thought.

As I walk toward the back, lieutenant ordered me back inside and
wait for the trumpeted signal. I’m not sure why. Even before I step back inside
the signal was called and all the men before me ran out of the door.

I think I have it good with the lieutenant. He gave me a thumbs up
and escorted me to the training ground.

First task was climbing walls. I had no trouble with that since I
used to hang on the roof of my barn lots of time. Next was to initiate attack.
The hanging straw dummy sway as I hit them with my riffle. This was so bad I
thought to myself. I kept swinging until its limbs fells of and broke into
pieces. Next was grenade throwing. The angle was a little rusty but I still got
the job done. Following by attacking more straw dummies, and more grenade
throwing. This time over a wall. I couldn’t see my mark at this point but the
lieutenant told me I hit the mark perfectly.

After quite a while, I was done with my training. The lieutenant
honoured me with a salute and we are ready for war. To mark this glorious
moment, me….I was to raise the flag. The Tricolore of the French Imperial
Guard. The crowd stood straight as I turn the wheel and raise the flag.

Letter to Emily:

My dear Emily, we are on our way to Paris. The atmosphere here is
strangely cheerful. I hope the harvest goes well. Rely on our neighbours for
help. They’ve always been gracious and charitable people. I’ll write again soon
as I get my assignment. Please kiss my little grandson for me.