The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-01-28
WILL BUILD NOME
FOR CHILDREN Of
FORMER SOL DIERS
Michigan Department of the
American Legion viii Care
for Families of Those
Who Fought

DETROIT, Jan. 27.-Maintaining
the slogan of doing something diff
ferent every year" the Michigan de-
partment of the American Legion is
about to establish on a six-acre tract
about 20 miles northeast of Flint
home for the children of former serv-
ice men of the state who either died
in the war or who, through war in
ijuries, 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.
Welfare Department
The first year saw creation of
welfare department that is regarded
by national legion chiefs as unique.
The second year saw establishment
at Camp Custer. near Battle Creek,
of the Roosevelt Memorial hospital.
where tubercular former service men
receive care. The institution is op-
Grated entirely by the legion for for
mer service men. Every employe of
the institution srved during the war.
is the only hospital of its kind in
the world.
The new venture is regarded by
Michigan DICTIONARIES 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 viii be placed in charge CT a
mother These women will be
chosen from among the windows of
former service men and they will re-
ceive 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 Amer
lean Leg on BILLET ntil they are 16
years old. They are to be educated
in nearby Upgrade school.
VIII Use Cottage PIaT
A large building formerly used as
a sanitarium stands on the six-aere
tract, which is located on the shores
of rather large lake. This build
ing will be used until cottage bun
galows can be built. Eventually each
IHotneT ana ner 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 summer months
and thus provide much of the food
for the various families. The legion
Will defray all necessary expenses.
Paul A Martin, Battle Creek. Mich.
newspaperman, and until recently
commander of the legion in this
state. is credited by his fellow le-
sionnaires with being the originator
of the children's colony idea.
When he first preached the sub
ject to other legion officials Former
Commander Martin said:
Such a home would not be a gift
to the orphans of service men who
have given their lives to their coun-
try. 1t merely would be the paw
ment of part of the debt we owe
them"
The Billet will be in operation hv
early spring, it is announced. The
site was donated by the counties Of
Genesee, Lapeer and Tuscola, it being
located at the spot where the three
counties join.