New Britain herald., 1919-06-14
AID IS RENDERED
 CANADIAN HERO
ElkS' War Relief Association to Re-EduCate Sergeant MCMahon

New York, June 14-When the war broke out Leo Charles McMahon was husky, upstanding red-blooded American of 23 years who had lived for several years in states bordering g on Canada and had formed intimate friendships with many young Cana , dians about his own age. With some of them he had been associated Tn hospital work in Cleveland, o. In July, 1915, after meditating for two months over the sinking of the Lusitania, during which time he was in constant touch with his Canadian pals, he went across the border and enlisted for the war with the Cana dian forces. His physique and men, tality were such that he was readily accepted as first aide in the medical division of the famous Princess Pats.'
 After fl months spent the vari- ous fighting fronts and in numerous hospitals in France, England and New York, Leo Charles McMahon groped his way into the office of the National Elks war relief commission in New York one day last week to make in quiry about vocational training. His eyes were badly affected from being
  total blindness his sight had been partially recovered, whereupon the temporary" pension of s30 a month he had been receiving from the Brit ish government had been discontin- ued
 Having fought with the armies of the allies, instead of with the United States forces, he was entitled to nelth- CT pension nor vocational training from the government of this country, under the law passed by congress.
 When McMahon entered the office of the Ellls war relief commission he wore the uniform of a Canadian ser geant major, he used a stout cane for support as well as for feeling his way, and it was at once apparent that he could scarcely distinguish the person he was talking with across the room. But he had a smile on his face.
 Talks With Tencr.
 John K. Tener, chairman of the Elks war relief commission, sat down by the side of Sergeant McMahon and asked him to tell his story. It was very brief. He had been blinded by gas, he said and had later partly re- covered his sight but would not be able to continue the medical work he was engaged in when he enlisted. He had an honorable discharge and wore stripes showing three years service at the front.
 Sergeant McMahon was taken to the office of the federal board for Vo- cational education, where it was de- cided that a thorough examination of his eyes should be made. This ex- animation was made by a specialist hoe at q of the government.
 The report of tn especialist was not encouraging. It was then decided that 1 he should go to Philadelphia for ex- animation by one of the most noted eye specialists of the country. His young wife accompanied him to Phila delphia. She sat in the room where the examination was being made of his eyes but did not even suspect the gravity of his condition until the spe- cialist finally stood up and gave his verdict. There was scarcely one chance in a hundred that the ser geant's eyesight could be saved.
 The young wife sWooned away. It was several hours before she recover ed. But with the recovery she re- alized more than ever that she must do her part. Within A hours she was even almost smiling with her husband over their future prospects.
 Sergeant Major McMahon is to be placed in vocational training imme- diateIy by the federal board for voca- tional education, at the expense of the Eks war relief commission. He is to be given a thorough course as a mas seur, and when he has finished his trainin" " be started in bus<less by the federal board and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. And steps are already being take by me N- bcrs of the Ell1s' lodges of New York and Brooklyn to see that the sergeant ma jor will not he without business in his line when he opens up for him. self.
 WOJInIoI Often