The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1945-12-14
Christmas for the Wounded

In millions of American homes, this Christ
mas is going to be the first really happy
one in e.eral wears. Men are home with their
families who have been absent Tor a long
time, some of them in great danger every
moment. The turkey dinner and the festivl-
tjes-Asuch os they were-Were often grim
and forced in those years. No wife, no par
tnt could really enjoy them when that ter
rible dread of the War Department tele-
gram was hanging over their heads at every
moment, and while their inner Thoughts new
er really left the possibility that at any Civ
en- moment there might be a battle under
way, or a patrol cut off or an airship spin
ning down in flames. For the millions OF
families who were spared that telegram, in
this country and in the nations that are our
allies, things will be different this year. And
even in those homes where someone is now
missing, there will at least be the sense of
certainty and acceptance.
II will be a different Christmas for the
tbree million or so service men who have been
released. Some Of them Of course will not
ind the civilian world the dream land that
il had become in their thoughts. 1t never
has been a dream land. The paths of reality
have been hard in every age. But for most
of the men Christmas at home this year will
be so much better than Christmas on a God
fcrsaken island or in a raging battle that
they will nave no complaints. If we remem-
Der correctly, the Battle of the Bulge began
just about Christmas time last year. The
men who are still in the occupation forces
and outposts at least will not have that haz-
ard TINS year.
There is one group of veterans, however,
for whom thing are still tough. They are the
wounded and disabled who still fill our hos
pitfalls, where many of them will stay for
years, or for the rest of their lives. In some
cases these are the men who pay the stiffest
price.
Down at Keesler Field there are hundreds
# these men. Most of them were combat
veterans, heroes in the deepest and saddest
sense of the word, They must not be for
gotten. And especially SO during this first
postwar Christmas II is not the matter OF
a trifling gift. for they are not in want, but
it is the monetary pleasure and excitement
ri iinwrapping packages, of feeling the ex-
citement and warmth of the Yuletide spirit.
What matters is that these men should know
that they are not forgotten.
jackson county has been asked to furnish
$50 Christmas gifts for hospitalized service
men al keesler Field, and to date the re-
Spouse has been disappointing. Perhaps it is
only because not enough people have known
about it. Mrs. Henry Gautier, chairman OF
the camp and hospital service for the county
Red Cross, reported this week that of the
$50 gifts asked, only 100 had been promised
by TUESDAY. TUESDAY OF next week Is the
headline for fulfilling the pledges.
The response OF Jackso mountains to this
plea should be overwhelming Christmas
at best can be pretty lonely without family
and friends. Take your gift to Red Cross
headquarters. A news story in this issue of
The Chronicle-Sta details many things that
are desired. Cash, too, from so cents to ST so,
may be contributed in lieu of a present but
il should be at Red Cross headquarters be-
fore Tuesday so that presents may be pur-
chased by the deadline.
1t is not a question of doing a favor. 1t
is a question of gratitude. We are in the debt
of these men. for all time. Let us never for
get it.