Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1923-11-23
RED CROSS HELPS
WARS SUFFERERS
Aids 100000 Veterans and
Their FamiIieS-27,OO0 Dis
abIed Still in Hospitals.
SPENDS S5,e66,255 IN YEAR
Individual Attention Assured to
All Physically Ailing or
in Distress.

Washington. - War service I'VE
years after the armistice, which on
November II the American Red Cross
marks with the opening of the annual
membership canvass, shows that dur
ing the past year assistance was ex.
tended by the Red Cross to some 200;
900 ex-service men or their fami.
lies. To 1870 hospitals throughout the
country approximately $4,000 ex-serv-
ice men were admitted for treatment,
and to 1926 of these men definite and
specialized service was extended, the
Red Cross annual report discloses. In
all hospitals under government opera
ton total of nearly $4,000 disabled
veterans were reported by the Sur
geon General of the Army.
These facts of the aftermath of
physical and metal disability five years
after the World War, and the burden
resting upon the relatives and de-
pendents of the ex-service men, show
Red Cross to act as a supplementary
arm of the government in service to
these many thousands of men who
wore the uniform of the United States.
It should be emphasized that govern
ment assistance Is necessarily stand
ardized along specified lines affecting
them as a whole. The Red Cross serv-
ice Is to the individual man and the
solution of his problems. This the
Red Cross designates home service"
for its aims to give the loving care
and interest Of the home TO these men
undergoing physical reconstruction
far from their actual home influences.
Years Expenditures 1885, 55
In the year ended last June 80 the
Red Cross reports $3,920,0OO spent by
its Chapters in extending individual
attention to the ex-service men and
$1,946,255 spent by National Head.
quarters of the Red Cross, a total OF
S5,866,25j In behalf Of the men called
to duty in the World War the Red
Cross since July 1, 1917, has spent
nearly $164,00O,00Q. Today there are
2,60S Chapters in as many localities
carrying on this work, aiding the IN
dividual veteran, assisting his family,
furnishing creature comforts and
funds to tide over troublesome periods
The strong connecting link between
the Red Cross and the United States
Veterans Bureau takes the compiled
tons out of difficult cases Of claims.
The Red Cross in this work requiring
personal representation OF the ex-serv-
ice man has acted in appeal cases, in
surance matters, personal and family
problems, camp and hospital activi-
ties. and in cases of death. This serv-
ice handled nearly 1900 compensa-
ton and insurance claims, and 2,225
allotment and other claims.
Solves Serious Problem
The financial problem OF the ex-serv.
ice man when travelling to and from
hospitals is a serious one, and in meet
ing this constant demand the Red
Cross expended S138,33417 during the
year For extra recreationaI equip
ment In Veterans Bureau training
centers S14, 3O6 was spent, and for the
blinded veterans in the government
school funds were supplied to enable
some of these unfortunate men to en-
ter business as storekeepers and poul-
Try raisers.
In Veterans Bureau hospitals the
record of a single month illustrates
the large service rendered by the Red
Cross. For example, 1854 new cases
required attention, and a total Of 26,-
007 cases were acted upon; 49,368 let.
ters and 1868 telegraph messages
written. and more than 1900 enter
tainments given in recreation houses
for the benefit Of the patients.
Authorities declare that the pres
ent is critical time in the lives Of
many Of the disabled ex-service men
who during the five years since the
armistice have developed misgivings
of recovery.
Work Among the REGULARS"
Service to the enlisted men OF the
Army Navy and Marine Corps is a
charter obligation of the Red Cross,
which in the last year recorded over
9p1 oa0 oasas of assistance extended