Soldiers' days were often long and dull, with brief periods of terror. They battled boredom with various forms of entertainment, such as reading, writing letters, playing cards, and playing soccer. These game sticks and hoops belonged to Norman Claussen and were used by soldiers as they traveled on ships to Europe. The journey across the Atlantic Ocean took about five or six days.

The sticks are almost two feet long, and the hoops are eight inches, a bit longer than an unsharpened pencil. Both are wrapped in velvet and canvas ribbons. What types of games might soldiers have played with these?