MY BROTHER'S IN THE SERVICE
He just got there & he's not an officer, so he's termed E-1, the "E" standing for this
enlisted
In 1837 the House banned the wearing of these in the chamber; they'd become so tall they obstructed both view & hearing
hats
Spanish for "little war" gives us this word for one engaged in irregular warfare
guerrilla
Around 1908 tea merchant Thomas Sullivan hit upon this innovation that avoids the mess of straining leaves
a teabag
The 3 wise men
the Magi
His letter mentioned "Reveille"; the dictionary says it comes from the French for this verb
to awaken
Like incoming students, since 1921 new House members have gone through this welcome & get-your-bearings program
orientation
"Giving aid and comfort" to America's enemies is part of the Constitution's definition of this crime of betrayal
treason
According to one legend, this spiritual leader born in 563 B.C. was the first to discover tea
Buddha
To practice boxing with light blows
spar
I saw a picture of his dog tag, listing his name, social security number, religion & this "type"
his blood type
Members vie for coveted assignments on these, like Appropriations or Energy & Commerce
committees
This rhyming term for an important person comes from the high hairpieces men of distinction once wore
a bigwig
One of the first U.S. millionaires, this patriarch of the Astor family traded furs for tea from China
John Jacob (Astor)
Military flute
a fife
This 10-week army "training" period that turns civilians into soldiers was no picnic
boot camp (or basic training)
Representatives introduce bills by placing them in a wooden box called this, after the bin in which grain goes in a mill
a hopper
An elver isn't a little elf but the young of this fish
an eel
The last Dutch governor of New Netherland, he introduced tea to America around 1647
Peter Stuyvesant
Left, at sea
port
My brother's cool with this big change to the rules about combat troops announced Jan. 24, 2013
the inclusion of women in the military
Score! As a new representative, you'll get this privilege of sending postage-free mail to constituents
franking
The Latin for "to come together" gives us this word for the building where a religious community lives
a convent
This spicy, milky tea comes from India
chai
Name between Thomas & Edison
Alva