The Benson signal., 1919-04-12
Red Cross to Award Badges
to Faithful Workers

The American Red Cross is planning to
reward the men and women who worked
faithfully during the period of the war.
Not only those who have gone overseas or
worked in camp and canteen at the army
camps, but those who made gauze dress,
ings. fashioned garments for refugees or
did any kind Of real work in the service
of the Red Cross are to be considered by
the organization as candidates for the dec
Grafton provided they can show that they
have given the required number of hours
to the task. A
But the dignity of the service must be
protected. There must be fairness in r,aks
ing awards if the distinction is to have its
full significance. No mere perfunctory att
tendance at meetings is to be countedaas
work and no recognition is granted for
service prior to the date of April E, 1917.
The local branch is therefore putting the
matter up to the individual worker. They
are to decide for themselves. according to
the schedule issued by the organization,
whether eligible to wear the service badge
or not. The women workers must feel
confident that they have spent the required
number of hours in the gauze room or
If person believes that he or she has
given the full time of service to secure the
badge, the name should be submitted to
the Benson Red Cross The names will be
presented to the executive committee at
Bisbee for action. Each applicant should
be able to show proof of service and give
the name of the head of the department
in which the work was performed as ref
erence.
The badge is attractive and should ap-
peal because of its beauty as we'll as for
what it represents. There are two service
badges for the workers at home. One
denotes that the wearer has worked 400
hours, the other shows that 800 hours
have been given. The War Department
has requested that the ribbon must not be
worn without the badge: For a certain
number of hours of work in excess of 800
a stripe is given through the substitution
of striped ribbon instead of plain color.
The additional work must have been per-
formed within a period of six months.
Women who have rendered minimum
of 400 hours service and have done ex-
ceptional work in chapters where no op-
portunity was given for longer service
may be granted a badge with a ribbon
not different color from that used on the
regular badge. However it must be real
service and great discretion will be used
in making awards.
For the knitters the following is the
be computed One pair of socks, 20 hours;
one sweater, 80 hours; one mufler, 80
hours; one helmet II hours: one pair of
wristlets. 10 hours.
Each badge given will be accompanied
by a certificate signed by President Will
son and Henry P Dawson, Chairman of
the War Council. Chapters may purchase
these badges for presentation to workers
from chapter funds but not from the war
fund.
Red Cross Workers of the district who
believe they are entitled to the service
badge should mail their names as soon as
possible to Benson Red Cross A list of
names is being held by the committee for
action, but it is advisable that each indi-
vidual worker consider the matter and
submit his or her name; if eligible. Cuts
of tbs service badge are displayed in the
Red Cross Magazine for April.