Mountain advocate. (Barbourville, Ky.) 1904-1935, 1919-07-25

Vie CSIEtECEL ana WShGIC
OF the American boys in service.
The Red Cross rs 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 a 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, convalcrcent,
MANNED or whole"
Having taken them comfortably all
the way over the Red Cross will con
tinue to provide for their welfare I'M
III the last man steps off 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. 1t is difficult
to say which Of these is she most i'm
Dortant so greatly does each depend
On the other, weaving an all-coyering
mantle of comfort and relief that
spreads over each and every soldier.
How the Red Cross Helps
The soldier is not discouraged, bat
he cant help thinking, as he lies
there in the base hospital with his
stump of an arm or his twisted knee.
and waits for the transport that will
lake him home.
When the day comes at last, he ig
carried aboard on q stretcher. Be-
side him are pair of new pajamas, .
Red Cross comfort kit and plenty Of
Smokes" Aboard there is a Red
Cross man with his hands always
filled with extras" On the way to
the debarkation hospital, there IS the
same old Red Cross smile ana the sue
cession Of sandwiches, pies and coffee.
At night, while the train speeds
towards the army hospital near his
own town, there are the canteen wcm-
en- at the stopping places,
When the soldier reaches the con-
valescent stage, there is the Red
Cross house with its home-like rea.
lures, easy chairs, rugs, music, games,
books, newspapers and magazines !
The fireplace, the sun parlor or the !
porch, according to the season. On |
tine days there is the Motor Corps |
that takes the soldiers for delightful !
country spins. 1t is b. these many !
small attentions, that mean so much. !
that the Red Cross cndCayOrs to make |
getting welW easy. \ sick or wound /
ed soldier does not get well soon if |
his mind is not happily attuned and
mis- personal troubles az rest.
Sick, convalescent or well, a soldier
may have recourse to Home Service,
one phase OF Red Cross work Anxiety
over home rs-uuccrtanty over
the safety and elfare of loved uncS--
have done more to weaken the morale
Of the men than most grieYOus wounds
received in battle, or even the Cutur.
ance of short rations, or trying days
and nights uadCr fire. Red Cross
Home Service endcayors to bridge the
gap between the soldier and his home,
and to act as the Intervening agent TO
whom all petitions may be trusted
and all cares consigned. Five hundred
Red Cross Home Service representa-
tiyes are working in the camps of this
country and in the army hospitals,
with their $4,000 patients.
Among the latest innovations are
the banking agencies, established in
twenty-five rehabilitation camps, un-
der the authority of some nearby |,
clearing house or bank, enabling a dis.
charged soldier to deposit part of his
discharge money for transmission to
any bank he may designate, in ex.
change for non.negotiable receipt.
At Camp Taylor alone, S152,2l5 was
deposited in this way within the space
OF eleven days.
The breadth and scope of the Red
Cross peace program, as it concerns
the returning soldier, is readily
appreciated. He cannot feel neglected
or fOrlorn as long as the Red Cross is
with him, and surely no possible com
fort, no possible need has been over
looked The three great arms work
together amicably, smoothly, Jointly, :
each performing the tasks that fall
within its immediate field, yet extend
ing its activity to dovetail happily |
with the other branches
In the field, in the camp, in the
home, the Red Cross is omnipre5ent
wherever the soldier goes or wherever
his interests lie. II knows no armis-
tice in its fight against sickness,