SOS

5 oz. dried chipped beef

2 sticks butter or margarine

1 cup flour

6 - 8 cups milk

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Pepper to taste

Rinse beef under warm running water to remove excess salt.  Cut into bite size pieces.  In large sauce pan, melt butter or margarine.  Stir in flour thoroughly.  Cook over medium heat 5 minutes, stirring frequently.  Do not brown.  Add 6 cups milk and Worcestershire sauce.  Cook gently until thickened.  Add dried beef and more milk, if necessary to make sauce the consistency of gravy.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.   If you wish, add a can of drained green peas and/or a can of drained mushroom pieces.  Serve on toast, biscuits, or baked, boiled, or mashed potatoes. Makes a LOT.

This is the ultimate quick supper.  All the kids loved it.  Even Donald, who was usually less than enthused about "Navy" food, liked it.  Our daughter-in-law Shannon's brother Mel, who was in the first grade with Adam, remembers Adam as a quiet little boy who usually didn't volunteer when the teacher asked questions.  However, Mel says when she asked one day what SOS meant, Adam immediately raised his hand and said, "S--- on a shingle!"