Mount Vernon signal. (Mt. Vernon, Ky.) 18??-current, 1919-07-18

~ lean Red Cross has been
the comfort and welfare
OF the American boys in service.
The Red Cross as an organization
has been growing with the growing
needs of the soldiers, sailors and ma.
rines since the first transport started
overseas.
Under the Department of Military
Relief of the Red Cross plan was
formed and Is being carried out which
brings every possible comfort and
help to the fighting men-out OF lines
or in-sick, well, convalescent.
manned or "whole!"
Having taken them comfortably all
the way over the Red Cross will con.
tinue to provide for their welfare un-
I'll the last man steps of the gang
plank of the last transport or leaves
the doorway Of the last hospital.
Care Of the returning soldier falls
into three branches: Miscellaneous
Service for the Comfort and Welfare
of Soldiers-Home Service In the
Camp-and Recreation. It is difficult
to say which of these Is the most i'm
portant, so greatly does each depend
on the other. weaving an all-covering
mantle OF comfort and relief that
spreads over each and every soldier.
How the Red Cross Helps
The soldier is not discouraged. but
he can't help thinking. as he lies
th9re In the base hospital, with bic
stump Of an arm or his twisted knee.
and waits for the transport that will
take him home.
When the day comes at last. he 10
carried aboard on stretchcr. Be
side him are pair of new pajamas, a
Red Cross comfort kit and plenty of
smokes" Aboard there is a Red
Cross man with his hands always
filed with extras" On the way to
the debarkation hospital. there is the
anne old Red Cross smile ard the sue
ession Of sandwiches. pies and Golfer
Vt night, while the train speeds
towards the army hospital near hit
pwn town, there are the canteep won
IN at the stopping places. II
When the soldier reaches the con
ialescent stage. there is, the Rec
ross house with its home The fea
ares. easy chairs. rugs. music. Aames.
ooks. newspapers and nfdga,fnes-
ie. fireplace the sun paiior~ thta
orch, according to the season. On
ne days ther< Is the Motor Corps
hat takes the soldiers for delightful
ountry spins. II is by these man!
mall attentions, that mean so much
nat the Red Cross endeavors to make
getting well" easy. sick or wound
d soldier does not get well soon il
lis mind is not happily attuned and
is personal troubles at rest.
Sick, convalescent or well, a soldier
nay have recourse to Home Service,
me phase of Red Cross work. Anxiety
over home affairs-uncertainty over
ne safety and welfare of loved ones
I've done more to weaken the morale
# the men than most grievous wounds
eceived in battle, or even the endur
nee of short rations, or trying days
I'D nights under fire. Red Cross
lone Service endeGvors to bridge the
ap between the soldier and his home.
nd to act as the intervening agent &c
Jhom all petitions may be trusted
nd all cares consigned. Five hundred
ed Cross Home Service representa-
yes are working in the camps of this
| ountry and in the army hospitals,
With their $4,000 patients.
Among the latest innovations arr
| ne banking agencies, established In
| twenty-five rehabilitation camps, I'M
| or the author ty Of some nearb.
| tearing house or bank, enabling dis
harged soldier to deposit part OF his
discharge money for transmission to
ny bank he may designate, in ex
hange for a non-negotiable receipt.
| Vt Camp Taylor alone, $l52.2lo was
deposited in this way within the space
" eleven days.
The breadth and scope of the Red
ross peace program. as II concerns
The returning soldier. is readil!
appreciated. lie cannot feel neglected
or forlorn as long as the Red Cross Il
with him. and surely no possible com
fort. no possible need has been over
'ooked The three great arms worl
together amicably. smoothly, iointl5
each performing the tasks that fall
within its immediate field. yet extend
ing its activity 10 doyetail happil!
with the ether branches.
In the field, in the camp, in tn
home. the Red Cross is omnipresent
wherever the soldier goes or wherever
his interests lie, II knows no arms
,ice in its fight against sickness,
worry despair or trouble.