Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-11
Home Hospital
One of Finest


The care given the veterans is best
eXemplified in the hospital. A sur
Seon and four assistants direct this
branch of the institution Modern
appointments are in all the wards
and an efficient corps of narses min
lister to the stricken veterans There
are two groups of buildings, the main
part and annex where the greater
number are treated and d separate
building where those suffering from
tuberculosis are given special treat
ment. About $4,000 is expended
.'early for drugs and supplies.
Short and Long Leaves Absence
Like all well regulated communities
there is curfew law but at Tosus
vt is called Taps" which Is sounded
al 9.45 and all members must retire
at that hour. Leave of absence IS
granted if the member is in good
standing. This is called a pass and
is good for one to 90 days Longer
leaves of absence are termed fur.
loughs which are for 80 days with the
privilege of extension for an indef-
mite period. Many members live cut
side of the reservation and theil pen
sion checks are mailed to them. 4
Through. however, cannot be re-
newed to a foreign country.
Plenty Of Clothing
When admitted to the Home each
r:ember is Issued two suits of clothing
and these can be exchanged when
.hey became badly worn. This also
applies to shoes, hats, stockings. un.
derwear. etc. One pound Of tobacco
per month is Issued free to those who
use the weed and are non pensioners.
These same men also obtain free
one shave q week and one hair cut
per month. There are ample bathin.
facilities and company commanders
see to it that all men under his care
take a bath at least once a week.
There is a well-equipped laundry
to handle the weeks wash and a
tailor and coobler shop to repair torn
and worn clothing. The bakery is
veil appointed and modern establish
ment which is daily called upon for
great quantities of bread, rolls and
various forms of pastry.
Chapel is Maintained
A well appointed chapel is main
tanned where both Protestant and
Catholic services are held. A chan
lain is stationed at the Home and
visiting clergymen of both faiths con.
duct services. The services are at.
tended by large number of the vet
Grams as well as civilian emploves
and people from the surrounding
community.
Squirrels Everywhere
Designated for years as the "boys
in blue" this can no longer hold. as
all or the veterans are now clad in
the army olive drab. The blue Of
the Civil War period has passed and
many of the old campaigners bemoan
the fact for they loved the color and
1rowned on the Confederate gray
But as much as they disliked the
gray, they have capitulated to an
army or gray-clad invaders who hold
the camp in subsection year in,
year out. This army is yariouslv
estimated from SO to $50 of tame.
very tame gray squirrels. They are
TO be found all over the reservation
and 1t is common sight to see them
perched on the shoulders of veterans
VINO feed them nuts and other choice
morsels.
Fine Hotel Service
The Home hotel is open from June
10 october 1, and here is main
tanned a fine table where veterans
VINO care to can vary from the regu-
lar Home menu. The hotel is also
open to citizens generally and is well
patronlzed during the summer
Many War Relics
A tour of the various streets and
avenues reveals many relics of the
CIVIL Spanish and World War per-
loos. One of the most striking is
mat OF the shield of the old battle
snip kearsage. massive piece
"hlch Is set in an elaborate back
ground Of solid masonry between
nights OF stairs leading to the library
ana the main barracks. Stationed In
inherent parts Of the grounds are
prass how1tzers Of the long ago and
one OF these Is still used in firing sa-
iutes and the sunset gun. Pieces Of
great bore that were formerl, on U.
.. battleships are also mounted on.
the lawns. Down near the railroad
station there Is a giant mortar SINH
lar to those used in the World War.
The face Of this immense bulk Of steel
Is over three feet in diameter with
mouth measuring IA inches in dia-
meter.
Beautiful Cemetery
rms is the story of the living city.
10 the west of the Home. on the
prov OF a great hill is the city of the
heroic dead where some 1000 veter-
ans are bivouaced in the long, long
sleep. Here is found the same effort
toward the beautiful. Each individ-
uai piot Is kept green and the walks
and free from stones.