The Hay Run was a special event for the whole Battalion one year. There was a bad drought for the farmers and they needed a lot of help quick. The 181st hauled hay for three weeks loading our trucks to the maximum and unloading them in small barns where the trucks could barely fit. The farmers were very appreciative and constantly offered us food, beer, wine and more beer. Our orders were to accept whatever they offered as to not offend them. No problem and thank you Sarge. After a successful Hay Run the commanders rewarded the drivers and farmers with a Hay Run Fest. They bussed us at sundown to the fest and the farmers and their families were there along with a lot of German military truck drivers. We didn't know they had helped also. At first it was awkward, kind of like sizing each other up. After some food and BEER and lots of wine things got going. Talking slow with a lot of hand gestures and pictures helped. Farmers looking for husbands for their daughters, arm wrestling the German drivers and more food and wine. Then it was time to go back to Turley. Most of the drivers had exchanged fatigue shirts and some the trousers too. So after a peaceful evening of celebrating we were unloading just inside the front gate when the drunk 590th, 51st and 41st decided to have a free-for-all. There goes all the souvenirs. Oh ya, good times and of course each company thought they had won but no one can remember much and we really don't care.