Evening star., 1944-07-25
antilles Guided
On Treatment
OF Veterans
Prolonged Display
Of Emotion Must
Be Avoided

The rehabilitation program laid
down for returning servicemen will
fail If veterans families and the
public fail to receive the veterans
with the proper psychological ap-
proach. This was the statement
made today by Capt. Frederick A.
Jostes of the Navy Medical Corps
before a conference of representa-
tives of Is Protestant denominations
and Army and Navy Protestant
chaplains in the District area at
Walter Reed Hospital.
The conference was sponsored by
the Defense Commission of the
Washington Federation of. Churches
with Coleman Jennings, chairman
presiding.
Capt. Jostes said families should
greet returning veterans with open
arms, but not with too prolonged or
repeated demonstrations of emotion.
In cases of Disagreement the family
should act as though nothing has
happened. They should be aware of
the physical changes, but should not
pet or pamper the men.
Families Should Listen.
He further said the family should
listen to the men when they discuss
their experiences, but should not
ask questions. Another point he
emphasized was that the men be al
lowed to choose their company and
also to have privacy when it is de-
sired.
Capt. Jostes pointed out that the
men may have had great changes in
their thought of government, re-
ligion or human relationships and
should not be pressed to discuss
them.
For the general public. Capt
Jostes advised that the needs of the
servicemen are Psychological, as well
as physical, and that, while they
should be treated with every con-
slderatlon and kindness In going
about their ordinary days affairs,
they should not be the subject of
embarrassing sentimentality.' He
also said that pleasure and amuse-
ment to the men mean more than
merely wine. women and song.
that amusement may consist of SIM
PIE things without intrusion by out
siders.
Veterans Plans Listed.
Charies K. Morse of the Vocation
al Henaollltatlon and Education
Service of the Veterans Administra- :
tlon listed ways in which the Gov
ernment is planning for returning
service personnel. He said pension
ana retirement pay, medical and
hospital care, burial and funeral ex-
penses, insurance. vocational re-
habllitation and educational oppor-
tunltles are among the benefits tn
eligible veterans.
Mr.. Morse pointed out that under
the G1 Bill of Rights servicemen
VIII have educational and voca-
tional training opportunities after
they return home. He said most Of
.ne men are expected, particularly
those under Is, to take advantage
OF the educational program offered
70 them. Mr.. Morse empha sized
that these men will have the ad-
Vantages of a natural maturity
travel, and with very few exceptions
the completion of courses while in
service. He further said that the
hospital plan to increase bed space
10 10000 in two years is now Under
way.
Listing three ways whereby the
american Red Cross is helping re-
turning servicemen, Miss Elizabeth
LoWery. field director at the Walter
Reed Hospital, said they were most
eHectlve in social. recreation and
odd jobs. Social workers have
helped the patient in solution of his
personal problems. These workers
nave acted as link between the
patient and his home. advising him
when distressing questions concern
ing home conditions arise. Recrea-
uonal workers have provided sery-
icemep who are convalescing with
much needed diversion. While most
recreation. she said, deals with large
groups, the personal angle is no,
forgotten. Volunteers trained by
the District Red Cross chapter have
helped by doing such work as
nurses aid jobs, clerical tasks ano
other small but essential iohs