The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-03-20
To the Editor
 HUatnrh,,V.,, YNaVnaannk,


 Waterbury Democrat;
 wish to thank you for the editorial appearing in your paper on March 18th. After reading 1t I gather there are some who ques- ton why the veterans of this war have formed a group of their own. should, therefore, enlighten you before speculation runs rampant.
 You mention that the specula- ton centerS on the reason prompting Worl dWar II veterans to "dissaSsociate" themselves with the long established veterans or- ganlZations. It is unfortunate that such speculation should arise. For If there is one thing that all vet- erans need, 1t Is unity.
 The Waterbury Veterans of World War II was decided upon for the purpose of mutual benefit for the men returning to civilian life. There are no dues required for membership so, therefore, when the need ceases to exist, no doubt, the organization will, too.
 We do not feel we are in coYn- petition with any other organiZa- tion. Our members are free to join any of the older organized veteran groups, in fact, they are advised to. But we do feel that we can do much good for each other by our weekly meetings.
 These weekly meetings will en- able an exchange of experiences in re-establishing ourselves to civilian life. Information gained by one can be passed on to many at these meetings. Our problems are much alike in many ways, and together We feel freer in the dis- cusSlon of them.
 Our main effort now is centered on convincing the younger veter- ans to continue with their educa- ton. We try to point out to them the importance of an education to offset the disabilities they have in- cured in service.
 To cite one case, Q veteran just passed twenty-one years old was discharged with disability. He was attracted to the high wages now paid and went to work iin- mediately upon his return. He worked long hours and received big wages. We tried to get him to apply for some government voca- tional service but he wouldn't listen.
 He had gone with the National Guard after his graduation from Crosby over three years ago. It was hard to get him to think of school again after what he had gone through in those three. years.
 Then one day he collapsed on the job and wa Staken to the vet- eranS hospital at Newington. When the doctors learned the work he had been doing they or- dered him not to return to 1t.
 When next We saw him he was more receptive to our advice to apply for vocational training. His experience also served as @ warn ing to others who likewise at first wouldn't listen to the advice that they must now prepare for their future security. If the returning young veterans has the company of other veterans the return to studies won't be so hard.
 Waterbury veterans of World War II, as a group, have no irl- tention to duplicate any existing service now being furnished the returning veteran. On the con- trary, at our meetings men who have neglected to avail themselves of the services being offered by the City, State, Nation. or other organization can be directed to the one or more which can best fill their needs.
 There are many small things that 8 veteran should do upon his return to civilian life that he may not know about. They are not im- portant to anyone but the veteran himself. These matters may be neglected now to the distress of himself or his family in the years ahead.
 At our last meeting a discus sion of the importance of having photo-static copies made of dis charge papers was started. It brought ou Q story, from one O. the boys recently discharged, of how he had photograph taken of his discharge. A regular photo of only the front of his discharge and not the reverse side. This cost him three dollars. He felt this was all that was needed.
 Of course, this boy was in1- mediately advised that the most needed information on a dis charge is on the reverse side and that Q photo-static copy of both
 sides should cost less than one dollar.
 A small thing you might say, but anyone who ever lost Q dis- charge will tell you the import ance of having copies. Many Q widow of 6 veteran, or his chill dren, have suffered through the neglect in safeguarding Q dis- onax0e fyom sagviaa.