New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-02
The Society Of 1917"
Veterans for a Union of All Who
Help the Soldiers

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: As we are now preparing for another war
it is well to consider the experiences of the
past and if possible to improve upon them
So far as our government is concerned it has
taken hold of the official situation in sys-
tematic way and is providing its material
needs. The Red Cross is official branch
that is supervised by the government.
But there is yet need of the civil move
ment that will care for the personal interests
of the man who is compelled to go to the
front. and who needs the hand and the heart
of the community from which he departs.
man who has the friendship and interests OF
those with whom he is acquainted Will be
better soldier ana will be more likely to steer
clear of the immoral dangers which environ
him. which are greater than is generally i'm
agined.
Then il is a duty incumbent on those who
stav at home to befrend the man who goes
and battles for both and TO bear part OF the
burdens. This sharing of the man who stays
with the man who goes, | take it, would bring
willing volunteers if proper, feasible plan
was set forth ard due recognition OF his
labors was provided.
The Sanitariar Commission of the Civil
War did an excellent work, but that society
and like organizations were loosely organized
both as TO work and as TO the funds col
ected. But the greater part OF that work
will be carried on by the Red Cross in this
war -.
What seemed to the soldiers Of l86l-'65'
when they returned, to have been an over
sight was that there was no way that those
who befriended them while absent could make
known to them that they were the soldiers
friends The soldiers went into an organiza-
ton called the Grand Army of the RepuoH1
and wore an emblem, but those who were
loval to them at home, and did so much for
their comfort at the front. were mingled with
the "Copperheads," and unless the soldier re-
turned to live in the community from whlcn
he had departed all the people were alike 10
him. 90 far as the history of the war related
10 that community. The friends at home are
entitled to the recognition OF their efforts al
ter the war, and the soldier is also deserving
Of the fraternal impulses such mutual recog-
milton would engender
With this experience in memory | would
offer the following propositions: To form
society in every community from waich SOL
diers are enrolled, to be composed OF men
and women who pledge themselves to DO the
duties assigned by its officers. The object
shall be to befrend the soldier.
The initiation fee, the dues and the con-
tributions shall be expended for the soldiers
comfort, particularly to furnish literature,
10 care for those he leaves behind, and should
he be in hospital or die, that he should have
the proper remembrances.
The society should be incorporated and its
funds handled on business principles. An
insurance feature might be incorporated by
which its members would have the beneht
when drafted whereby they would have
certain amount guaranteed to their families
in their absence, or an accumulation to be
drawn at the end of the war, and, If killed,
spent in defraying funeral expenses. II the
funds warranted it this benefit might be ex-
tended to all filling the quota of their city
or district.
The principle at the foundation Of such
n move is that which aetuates every patriotic
citizen, which is to share the burden Of the
cause as much as possible and show appre-
citation of the sacrifice the man makes In
going into active service.
, A member of such society should have an
emblem to wear during the war and after
ward. so that he may be known TO the COM
munty as one who is loyal, and particularly
to the soldier.
For name would suggest 1.-THE Society
OF 1917" in imitation of the Society OF
1889, founded by Lafayette. The emblem
might be button, with the national colors.
and surrounding this the name Of the society.
f. II. H.,
Veteran of ls6l-'65
Oakland, Cal, June %, 1917.