The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-12-04
THE RED CROSS

The Red Cross is fighting tor the
fighters who fought for you 1t is
fighting for the heroes who have
been incapacitated while giving their
all for cause which they believed
demanded their presence in what
proved to be little less than hell
ITSELF. The fighting days OF these
heroes are over, their physical abil-
itv is at an end, and they are now
patiently awaiting their just deserts
"a fighting chance to beat back to
health. Private disqualification un-
fortunately is available to but q
few, for the greater number OF
those who need immediate medical
attention are without funds.
Thoughts OF money were not IN
their minds when they shouldere |
their guns, they went for what they
believed was a humane cause, and
we're Just in their belief that they
would be taken care OF when they
returned. They expected nothing
at the hands OF the American pee
pie il they returned physically fit
for they did not go into battle io:I
glory. You cheered them with
plaudits when they departed, and
il is up to you to cheer them with
comfort now that they have RETURN
ed. battle-scarred and weak. They
desire no profit nor reward, but
what is righteously theirS-that
fighting chance TO come back.
The war is not over 1t is in
deed unfortunate that the majority
of American citizens are trying 10
forget it. We dare not forget i.
lest we be marked as an ungratefu .
nation. The real aftermath OF war
the most regrettable phase OF it.
Is now at its height. Thousands
OF unfortunate men in the prime
OF their lie wrecked in health are
wandering aimlessly over the coun
try, bereft OF memory OF their loved
ones. their families and sweethearts,
leading the lives OF derelicts, living
no. existing is the more prope:
term-by mere pittances given them
by charitable inclined persons.
Should these martyrs he permitted
10 remain beggars and driit-wool
upon American soil; II there lives
man in these United States who
believes they should, he should ba
shipped as far away from the Shor,
OF America as is possible-and even
at that. as degraded as that iar-ofi
land may be, IL would be an impo-
sition on that land to ship him
there.
During the past year. government
disqualification has been taking o.
some definite form and as a resul.
there are now hospitals in which
these disabled heroes may find
refuge and feel that they are re-
ceiving, not a charitable gilt, hut
the most humane treatment which
can be afforded them in a desery-
ing manner But the chief diff
Guilty at the present time is ac-
quainting the veterans with the
existence OF the medical institutions
in order that they might be taken
20 them. Hundreds Of the boys are
unaware OF what has been done in
this respect and It is the Red Cross
which is throwing out liie-lines
and rescuing them from the Jaws
OF overhanging death aud placing
them on the path to recupera,ion
BY taking their cases in hand and
performing the necessary work for
their admittance to the sauitariums.
The government requires strict
proof OF the disability ct veterans
before admitting them for medical
treatment. II must have records.
afiidavits. and countless other forms
to be presented by the applicant.
In the majority OF cases. were Il
not for the Red Cross services. the
disabled veteran would he called
to the Great Beyond before he
could qualify for admii,anee. In
short. the Red Cross is rescuing
the lives OF the men to whom,
American owes It's greatest debt
II the slogan: "Give Until I.
Hurts" Is to be put into practice
Il should be during a Red Cross
drive. The disabled veterans ssw