Comments on: Five Thousand Miles for a Camel http://www.ncobrief.com/index.php/archives/five-thousand-miles-for-a-camel/ Military Musings and Thoughts Less Filtered Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:43:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sgt. Mom http://www.ncobrief.com/index.php/archives/five-thousand-miles-for-a-camel/#comment-254213 Sgt. Mom Sat, 13 Jan 2007 12:28:08 +0000 http://www.ncobrief.com/index.php/archives/five-thousand-miles-for-a-camel/#comment-254213 Yes, it was the Americanization of "Hadji Ali". He was very well known locally, by the time that he died in Quartzite, AZ. They put a pyramid-shaped monument over his grave, topped by a representation of a camel. And I'll look back at some of the articles I pulled up, as there is (of course!) a small re-enactors group, dedicated to the Camel Corps. With camels and everything. Yes, it was the Americanization of “Hadji Ali”.
He was very well known locally, by the time that he died in Quartzite, AZ. They put a pyramid-shaped monument over his grave, topped by a representation of a camel.

And I’ll look back at some of the articles I pulled up, as there is (of course!) a small re-enactors group, dedicated to the Camel Corps.
With camels and everything.

]]> By: steveH http://www.ncobrief.com/index.php/archives/five-thousand-miles-for-a-camel/#comment-254158 steveH Sat, 13 Jan 2007 03:56:23 +0000 http://www.ncobrief.com/index.php/archives/five-thousand-miles-for-a-camel/#comment-254158 The camel drover being called Hi Jolly actually makes sense; it seems that the name was a corruption of "Hadji Ali", at least part of his real name. Or so the story goes. The camel drover being called Hi Jolly actually makes sense; it seems that the name was a corruption of “Hadji Ali”, at least part of his real name.

Or so the story goes.

]]> By: E.K. http://www.ncobrief.com/index.php/archives/five-thousand-miles-for-a-camel/#comment-254055 E.K. Fri, 12 Jan 2007 18:38:20 +0000 http://www.ncobrief.com/index.php/archives/five-thousand-miles-for-a-camel/#comment-254055 I have always thought that the "Ruminant Procurement Department" featured in the movie "Pentagon Wars" was pure fiction. At no point did I know that it had a basis in fact. Yet I should have known: most U.S. Army supply offices still have this piece of writing, quoted below, hanging up in a little GI frame: <blockquote>THE QUARTERMASTER CREED I am Quartermaster My story is enfolded in the history of this nation. Sustainer of Armies... My forges burned at Valley Forge. Down frozen, rutted roads my oxen hauled the meager foods a bankrupt Congress sent me... Scant rations for the cold and starving troops, Gunpowder, salt, and lead. In 1812 we sailed to war in ships my boatwrights built. I fought beside you in the deserts of our great Southwest. My pack mules perished seeking water holes, And I went on with camels. I gave flags to serve. The medals and crest you wear are my design. Since 1862, I have sought our fallen brothers from Private to President. In war or peace I bring them home And lay them gently down in fields of honor. Provisioner, transporter. In 1898 I took you to Havana Harbor and the Philippines. I brought you tents, your khaki cloth for uniforms. When yellow fever struck, I brought the mattresses you lay upon. In 1918, soldier... like you. Pearl harbor, too. Mine was the first blood spilled that day. I jumped in darkness into Normandy, D-Day plus 1. Bataan, North Africa, Sicily. I was there. The 'chutes that filled the gray Korean skies were mine; I lead the endless trains across the beach in Vietnam. By air and sea I supported the fight for Grenada. Helicopters above the jungles of Panama carried my supplies. In Desert Storm, I was there when we crossed the border into Iraq...sustaining combat and paying the ultimate sacrifice as we liberated Kuwait. I AM QUARTERMASTER. I can shape the course of combat, Change the outcome of battle. Look to me: Sustainer of Armies...Since 1775. I AM QUARTERMASTER. I AM PROUD.</blockquote> I have always thought that the “Ruminant Procurement Department” featured in the movie “Pentagon Wars” was pure fiction. At no point did I know that it had a basis in fact. Yet I should have known: most U.S. Army supply offices still have this piece of writing, quoted below, hanging up in a little GI frame:

THE QUARTERMASTER CREED
I am Quartermaster
My story is enfolded in the history of this nation.
Sustainer of Armies…

My forges burned at Valley Forge.
Down frozen, rutted roads my oxen hauled
the meager foods a bankrupt Congress sent me…
Scant rations for the cold and starving troops,
Gunpowder, salt, and lead.

In 1812 we sailed to war in ships my boatwrights built.
I fought beside you in the deserts of our great Southwest.
My pack mules perished seeking water holes,
And I went on with camels.
I gave flags to serve.
The medals and crest you wear are my design.

Since 1862, I have sought our fallen brothers
from Private to President.
In war or peace I bring them home
And lay them gently down in fields of honor.

Provisioner, transporter.
In 1898 I took you to Havana Harbor and the Philippines.
I brought you tents, your khaki cloth for uniforms.
When yellow fever struck, I brought the mattresses you lay upon.

In 1918, soldier… like you.
Pearl harbor, too. Mine was the first blood spilled that day.
I jumped in darkness into Normandy, D-Day plus 1.
Bataan, North Africa, Sicily. I was there.
The ‘chutes that filled the gray Korean skies were mine;
I lead the endless trains across the beach in Vietnam.

By air and sea I supported the fight for Grenada.
Helicopters above the jungles of Panama carried my supplies.
In Desert Storm, I was there when we crossed the border into
Iraq…sustaining combat and paying the ultimate sacrifice as we liberated Kuwait.

I AM QUARTERMASTER.
I can shape the course of combat,
Change the outcome of battle.
Look to me: Sustainer of Armies…Since 1775.

I AM QUARTERMASTER. I AM PROUD.

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