Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-10-31
MEDICAL OFFICER SPEAKS
Y. M. C. A. indispensable Ad-
junCt to the Army-0uiets
Mc+ners' Fears

Meters Fears
My point of view and observations are
those of q member of the Medical De
partment, serving in the capacity of
Dental Surgeon | therefore believe l.
can give you an unbiased opinion of the
great work the Y M G. A. is accom-
plishing in this camp.
The secretaries who are scattered
about in the various Y NJ c. A. build
ings doing their bit are the best obtain
able because they are volunteers and
have offered their services in interest
of the soldiers, regardless of tn sacrifices
they are making because they are also
men of broad vision who saw their duty
and were glad for the opportunity to rem
der a great service to their felloWmen in
arms.
They are particularly qualified to en-
ter into this work because they are men
of mature age, men who have lived and
therefore know how to handle the prob
lens of men and minister to their needs.
They have not been attracted to this
work for mercenary reasons Many OF
these men have left excellent positions
and various professions to enter into TINS
work for the good they can do and are
meeting all their own expenses out of
their personal savings. They are whole
souled. self sacrificing Christian men who
have needed the Macedonian call, and
who are now doing great work in
worthy cause.
Any organization with such a person
and | am pleased to inform you that the
7. NJ. G. A. here is rendering such yalu-
able service to the boys of Pennsylvania
that it has become one of the necessary
auxliarieS to the army.
II would take great deal of time and
space for me to tell you all the Y. M.
C. A. is doing here for they are doing
so much, but | shall state briefly some Of
the things being done and how nicely
this organization fits into the army.
Each brigade in the division is blessed
with one capacious Y NJ. G. A. building
which provides an assembly room for
the soldiers and place for the various
activities
Stationery. pen and ink, and a con-
venient place for the boys to write their
many letters to the folks at home are
provided free of charge In addition to
the above there is something doing every
night, such as religious services, enter
tainmentS Of various kinds, concerts,
boxing bouts, moving picture and in fact
everything is provided for the uplift of
mind, soul and body and for the making
of better men and therefore better sol
dierS.
I want to make special mention of the
religious ministration of the Y. M. G. A.
for in this respect / am confident they
are the greatest factor that exists in
the army today for providing religious
or spiritual inspiration to the men.
There are now two regiments in a
brigade, each regiment numbering about
four thousand men, To each regiment
u chaplain is assigned VINO looks AFTER
the religious welfare of the men in his
organization, The chaplain, being a
commissioned officer, is necessarily linn
tied in his activities for he is under
military orders and has other duties as
signed to him other than religious work
and as a result he can only go so far
The Y. M, c. A. religious workers not
only take up the work where the chap
lain is forced to leave off Sut they also
cooperate with him in every respect,
working hand in hand with him and
thereby. not only reinforceS the excellent
work Of the chaplain but also follows it
up with further Y M. C. A. work The
association workers have freedom of ac-
ton not enjoyed by the chaplain which
personal way and many a hard problem
is solved for the soldier by the ever will
ing and tireless Y NJ. G. A. worker.
To sum up, | would say that the x.
moral, spiritual physical, mental and
social problems of the soldier. TO the
folks at home who are, worried about
you you that if her boy GETS in touch s with
the Y M. G. A. workers all his problems
will be taken care of.
| understand that campaign for rais-
ing thirty-five million dollars for the Y
M. C. A. work is now in progress. If
GiAis amount were just doubled it would
mean that your brother in arms or per-
haps your son would be just twice bet
ter off, morally. spiritually, physically,
mentally and socially while he is serving
his country. 1t is most worthy cause,
to which all can contribute for the sake
of humanity and humanity's God. You
can buy Liberty Bonds for an investment
and thereby help the government equip
these men so they can fight, but if you
would like to see these boys enjoy COM
forts of mind and body after they have
fought, a contribution to the r M. c.. A.
will fulfill your desire. / therefore wish
this campaign for money for this great
work the success it merits.
Yours very truly,
o. G. WALLACE,
First Lieutenant Dental COrns