The squirrels around the reflecting pool are very tame, even today. They will actually come up and beg on their back legs for food.

Interestingly Washington DC has a sizable populations of black squirrels. This is the result of some squirrels from Toronto Ontario that were introduced into the National Zoo back at the turn of the 20th Century.

of the Tom Lehrer tune, "Poisoning Pigeons In the Park."

Those look more like high-tops like my grandfather used to wear than boondockers. Look at the shine he's got on them. As for the socks, white and rolled down were probably unauthorized.

Navy regs said shoes need only be well-blackened. Who was I to dispute the mighty Navy regs writer, so after boot camp I well-blackened a pair of dress shoes and wore them only on inspection days along with either one of two sets (white or blue) dress outfits I kept for inspection only.

Speaking of inspections, I loved it when the inspecting officer was a Lieutenant Commander or above. They breezed through with hardly a glance but those junior grades of officers, especially ones with still the smell of Annapolis on them, would treat inspections as though a pair of not well-blackened shoes would allow the enemy to scuttle the ship.

Feeding birds and squirrels on liberty? Either it was the day before payday or they thought Washington girls might have a soft spot for gobs who fed cute little animals.

When I was in the Navy boondockers were only for work, low cuts were dress shoes. Did many things on liberty but feeding birds was not on the list.

Question to (ex) US naval servicemen: Is that the regulation style to wear one's socks? Rolled down to the top of the boots?

In the West German army that was heavliy frowned upon by the Feldwebels (OR-6 and above).

Anyway, urban pigeons are a nuisance at best and an official pest at worst. Dave, I don't think those "do not feed" critters are providing all that much to feed us in turn. I'm sure I don't even want to try "colombe sautée à la mode urbaine". Not even extra well ;-)

Frank R. Hudzik, CTC (Chief Turret Captain), 306 S. Washington St., Baltimore, MD
1944 duty station: US Naval Fleet Service Schools, N.O.B. Norfolk, VA
Enlistment Date 1: 30 Dec 1918, Release Date 1: 19 Jun 1926
Enlistment Date 2: 18 Sep 1926, Release Date 2: 07 Sep 1939
Enlistment Date 3: 29 Nov 1941, Release Date 3: 26 Jul 1947
Birth: 28 Sep 1901, Death: 23 Dec 1987
[source: Fold3.com]

Harry W. Hornbrook, CFC (Chief Fire Controlman),
1939 duty station: USS Aylwin (DD-355), Muster Roll of the Crew for the quarter ending 31 March 1939, Date reported on board: 04 Aug 1938;
transferred to USS New York on 04 July 1940
Enlistment Date: 25 Sep 1914, Release Date: 31 Jan 1945
Birth: 16 May 1892, Death: 11 Feb 1976
[source: Fold3.com]

In the city where I live, Montreal, it is illegal to feed wild urban critters, with a fine of $60. I translate from the City's website: "Pigeons, squirrels, and seagulls quickly become invasive when they're fed. Think of the gatherings of seagulls around picnic tables, the droppings left by pigeons, and the ravages of which squirrels are capable in gardens, not to mention the risk of bites for little children." Signs in parks go into greater detail about the imbalance to animal populations in the city when people feed them.

[I wonder how the critters feel about feeding us. -Dave]