The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-07-04
RED CROSS NOTES
HOW WOULD YOU AMUSE
SICK AND WOUNDED

ILL W. AVH
SICK AND WOUNDED
If you were suddenly confronted
with the necessity for providing
amusement and recreation for 1900
sick and wounded men, what type of
"fancy work" would you provide?
This was the question put up to
members of the American Red Cross
at Fort Smelling when it was desig-
mated as General hospital No. 20.
The great majority of these men
could get around without assistance
but there were a large number who
were bedridden. The men who could
amble around with some degree of
success were not so much of a problem
as the entertainment could be center
ed and they attend.
But the problem of the bed patient
was something different. Here it was
necessary to take the amusement to
the audience, and not only that, but re-
peat it in each ward so that the men
in n ward would not think they were
neglected.
This meant amusements that were
mobile.
Of course almost anyone could send
out a call for amusements and have
a large number of responses, but it
was necessary that someone be ap-
pointed to care for this phase who
would be enabled to separate the chaff
from the grain and not permit any
form Of amusement" that would tend
to lower the morale rather than raise
it.
R. c. Buckley, director of military
relief at the fort, saw the necessity
for some n who could cleverly and
suavely evade the pitfalls Of "goody-
goody" entertainment, and so F. C.
Waters and Cary Meyers were ap-
pointed to take charge Of recreation.
Waters was placed in charge with
Meyers to assist, and from criticism
by patients they have won themselves
a deep place in the hearts Of all they
hace come into contact with.
Waters nickname with the boys is
"Captain Smiles" and Meyers is af-
fectionately known as "Dutch." To
those who know the psychology of the
soldier, this is one of the best rec
concentrations that a man can have.
To be nichnamed aff%ectionately is to
be admitted into that charming inner
circle Of fellowship.
These two men have, come closer
to the individual soldier, perhaps, than
any other men on the reservation. In
to their receptive ears are poured the
little trouble that only a wounded or
sick soldier could possible tell, and
If necessary these two will go to the
highest authority to help the luckless
soldier out.
But it is in real reconstruction that
they shine. The work of reconstruc-
ton as regards the body and mind
are ably taken care of by the army
personnel, but the reconstruction of
that desire to be as other men must
come either to the chaplain or the
amusement directors.
In addition to the amusement work
there is another important feature to
the man who is either too sick or
lacks the ambition to care for his in
surance, Liberty bonds, or any of the
many other "side lines" or write let
tiers home. The name of the man who
handles these details for the soldier
patients is E. C. Moeckel, associate
director in charge of home service.
Each day his little office is filled
with soldiers desiring aid of such a
personal nature that only a man of
infinite tact and patience would be
of any value.
Getting the men into the open air
and seeing that they regain as much
of their former agility by exercise is
another important item.
Boxing teams are instructed and
trained by Brown and Knudtson and
bouts are staged each week. No man
is permitted to take any part in any
form of athletic activity until he has
obtained permission from the surgeon
in charge of his ward. By this means
all chance for a man OVERRIDING him
self is eliminated and only the form
- ..1s-l -
is permitted.
1t is the boast of Brown and Knudt-
son and the men under their care are