The guardian., 1941-08-16
BR0CKTON
Brockton News will be printed
next week.
FORT BENNIING
ON
PARADE
BROCKTON
By Chaplain Luther Marion Fuller
PARADE

FORT BENNIING, Fla, Office of
the Chaplain, Aug. Last week we
promised our readers a further insight
on activities here at Fort Benning, par
ticularly the hospital. The Army Chap
lain and the Civilian Minister have
many things in common as touching
activities and duties among the persons
whom they serve. They both carry the
responsibility of arranging for their
religious activities, caring for their
pastoral, educational, and recreational
needs, as well as lend assistance to
personal problems which arise from
time to time among the membership of
the organization.
Without doubt, the most touching
task of the Chaplain's pastoral duties
is that of visiting the sick. The Chap
lain at the recreation center, Fort
Benning, Georgia, visits the Post hos
pltal three days out of every week
where hundreds of men are confined
many of whom are very sick, others
are not seriously i'll, while still others
are able and permitted to lounge about
on the lawn. The Government is very
careful to give thorough attention to
every patient, regardless of the case.
The Post hospital, Fort Benning,
Georgia, is truly one place where race
prejudice is invisible In every Ward
it is obvious that attention of the most
careful sort is given every patient, re-
gardless of Race, Color, or Creed. No
Ward, or bed distinction is evident, to
any particular Race or Greed. AS the
patients are registered in the hospital,
they are assigned to their wards and
beds in rotation as they come: no
matter whether white, .colored, Indian,
Protestant, Catholic, or Jewish. There
seems to exist very tender spirit of
brotherliness, and sympathy, one patti
ent for the other; and all are, ap-
parently, so deeply appreciative for
the actual genuine democracy and the
real spirit of Christ.
The Chaplain at reception center has
two very interesting Bible classes
organized in the Post hospital. 1t is
interesting indeed to note the eager
ness and enthusiasm with which both
white and colored patients participate
in the Bible study. At this time they
are studying Bible characters of the
New Testament
COlored Army-Navy Y.M.C.A.
Dedication
On Sunday afternoon, July 81, in an
atmosphere of perfect reverence and
solemnity, the Army Navy Y.M.C.A.
for colored soldiers was dedicated. A
splendid spirit of inter-racial coopera-
tion significantly marked the occasion
in a way that had not previously exhi-
bited itself in the State of Georgia.
Leaders of both races gathered to-
gether for the dedication.
The building is fine, modernly
equipped two-story brick structure
which, in itself, is a monument to the
spirit Of Interracial goodwill that is
beginning to put in its appearance,
thus marking the liberalizing of the
new South.
Prominent speakers on the occasion
were: Hon. ]. D. Kirvin, President of
the Columbus City Y.M.C.A. and the
white Army Navy Y.M.C.A. He said
in part, II have learned something
here today that will aid me in my work
all over this section. 1t is a wonderful
spirit Of inter-racial cooperation that
is being manifested here" DR.. B. e.
Mays, President of Morehouse College,
Atlanta, Georgia, spoke in very praise
worthy terms of the new adventure.
He said, "Colored people are too often
on the receiving end ! am indeed
pleased to see that here, you are on the
giving end, and that is something to
be proud Of" Dir. Mays praised Mrs.
Elizabeth Lunsford, wealthy colored
business woman Of Columbus, who
gave $4,000 for the erection of the
beautiful building. Lt.-Colonel Frank
Lockhead, commanding officer Of the
colored reception center, and Major G.
A. Sossoman post morale officer, Fort
Benning, Georgia, spoke in congratu-
latory terms Of the movement. A very
important feature of the program was
the reading of telegram from Mrs.
Franklin d. Roosevelt which brought
about prolonged applause from the
audience. The telegram read as fol-
lows: "My greetings and congratula-
tsons to all of you taking part in the
dedication today. Regret | cannot be
present" The Reception Center Cho.
RUS, and the oath Infantry Band fur
nished music for the affair. The
Chaplain of Reception Center, Fort
Benning, Georgia, conveyed group
of seventy soldiers TO Columbus to
attend the celebration.
This celebration marked one Of the
grand and memorable days in the
events Of Columbus, Georgia, and Fort