The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1921-08-17
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Lee99'l!ooen,

County Legionaire asked DR.. a.. Al.
Van Dyke of st. Paul, new Legion
State Commander, to outline his pro-
gram for the Legion during the COM
ing year, Commander Van Dyke re-
piled as follows:
AS | see it, our work for the next
year has three phases. First Tor
carry on and complete our work in be-
half of our disabled. Second To |
secure justice, equity, and equality for
the ex-serviee man, both from the |
standpoint of our relation with the
government and our relation with
civilian bodies. Third-To take our
place in every community, coordinat-
ing and bringing back that wonderful
spirit which existed throughout the
war, all working for the best interests
of our country and forgetting petty
jealousies which have crept in during
the last two years.
Under the first phase, we must CO.
ordinate our units and devise ways
and means of eliminating existing red
tape SO as to bring the men in need
of help closer to that branch of the
government which administers aid, so
that it may be done quickly and eff
GENTLY, thereby relieving in the great
est measure possible, trouble and pain.
We must also devise some way of OBJ
tanning more adequate treatment of
those borderline mental cases; those
men of whom there are many, who,
due to the terrific strain to which
they have been subjected, have reach
ed that twilight zone of mental dis
order in which they would remain but
temporarily if given proper treatment
and restored to normaity, whereas, If
placed in existing hospitals, they will
not only fail to improve as quickly as
they should, but will go the other way.
Under the second phase, first comes
adjusted compensation, which must be
accomplished through proving our
case not only to the bodies of Con-
gress, but to the great American peo-
pie, who are just, not from the stand
point of patriotism alone, but from the
standpoint Of the justice and merit of
our claim. Also, we must secure a
better enforcement of the Soldiers
Preference Act, locally, from the
standpoint of the state, and from
national standpoint. For the second
part of the second phase laid out for
us, we must put our organization on
more permanent basis of coopera-
ton with all employers of labor, so
that service men shall not suffer for
having served their country during its
time of need.
"Under the third phase of the work
ahead of us, there comes to me the
thought that possibly this phase in
years to come will mean our greatest
task. During the war, there were two
great armies, that army which fought
at the front, and the army which
fought at home. We of the American
Legion have now joined that great
army at home, and it is time for us
to take our place in community life,
carrying our share of the burden and
the duty of making this country a
better place for all of us to live in, SO
that future generations may look back
upon this epoch in history and realize
that we of the American Legion did
our Gshare not only in winning the
CREST war, but also in the gigantic.
task Of reconstruction with which we
are now battling and which, please
God, shall be brought to successful
conclusion"
The final touches are being given
the big tent city formerly known as
Camp Dodge, where so many Mime.
sofa members of the 88th Division
marched and liked in IT and s1s~be-
fore they crossed the Atlantic. on
August 26th, 9th and 18th the big
88th Division Reunion will be held
there, at which every man who train
ed at Camp Dodge will be welcome
A big Minnesota delegation is expect
ed. Des Moines committees have ar
ranged free transportation between
the city and camp. Reduced railway
rates from points in Minnesota to Des
MONIES and return, have been offered
by all the railroads concerned. Mai
or General William Weigel will be
there.
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