The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-22
MICHIGAN
BUDDIES WILL
BUILD HOME
Purchase Six-Acre Tract
Near Flint for Children's
Institution
AID ALL UNFORTUNATE
Families of ex-Service Men
Will Find Shelter in
New Center
AID ALL UNFORTUNATE

Detroit, Jan. o. Maintaining the
slogan of doing something different
every year." the Michigan depart
ment Of the American Legion is
about to establish on a slx-acre
tract about 20 miles northeast Of
Flint home for-the children Of
former service men of the state who
either died in the war or who,
through war injuries, are unable to
provide for the youngsters.
When the Michigan department
was organized,/ about three years
ago the leaders resolved that each
year the organization in this state
should do something that would set
it apart from similar Legion groups
in other parts of the country.
The first year saw creation of
welfare department that is regarded
by National Legion chiefs as unique.
The second year saw establishment
Of Camp Custer, near Battle Creek,
of the Roosevelt Memorial hospital,
where tubercular former service men
receive care. The institution is OPP
Grated entirely by the Legion for
former service men. Every employee
of the institution served during the
war. 1t is the only hospital of it's
kind in the world.
The new venture is regarded by
Michigan Legionnaires as the most
important undertaking so far. Sew
eral hundred orphaned or dependent
children are to be cared for. The
children are to be divided into groups
of from SIX to ten each and every
group will be placed in charge Of
a mother" These women will be
chosen from among the widows Of
former service men and they will
receive their clothing, food and shell
ter in exchange for caring for the
children placed under their Charge.
The boys and girls will be kept at
the home, to be known as The Am
erican Legion Billet, until they are
16 years old. They are to be educat-
ed in nearby Upgrade school.
A large building formerly used as
d sanitarium stands on the six acre
tract, which is located on the shores
of a rather large lake. This building
will be used until cottage bungalows
can be built Eventually each "mo- j.
Their" and her family Of children
Will occupy separate cottage. Each
mother will work out her own ideas
as to the best means of rearing her
adopted brood. In no way will the
home be permitted to take on the
complexion of an institution. Larger
boys, in the colony will tend garden
patches during the Sumner months
and thus provide much of the food
for the various families. The Le-
gion will defray all necessary ex-
penses.
Paul A. Martin, Battle Creek,
Mich, newspaperman and until re-
Gently commander of the Legiof1 in
this state, lis credited by his fellow
Leglonnares with being the origina-
tor of the children's colony idea.
When he first preached the sub
ject to other Legion officials For
mer Commander Martin said:
"Such home would not be q gift
to the orphans of service men who
have given their lives to their coun-
try. 1t merely would be the payment
Of part of the debt we owe them"
The Billet will be in operation by
early spring, it is announced The
site was donated by the counties of
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola, it be-
ing located at the spot where the
three counties join.