Evening star., 1945-10-21
Disabled Veterans Get Special Training Directing Handicapped Budde
BY CaSnar Names

at typewriter, his left hand lying along
the table edge.
Il noticed it was an unusual color
and supposed it had been injured"
Lindley explained. IT told Hasler he'd
do good work when the hand got better"
Does 81 Words Minute
Hasler grinned. Hell, Mr.. Lindley,"
he said, that hand isn't going to get
better. It's cork job" and he banged
the hand on the table. After 10 weeks
Hasler could insert paper into the type
writer, throw back the carriage with his
false arm, and do 80 words a minute
with five errors in 10 minutes.
The students are anxious to help their
fellow veterans. They feel deeply that
"the returning disabled soldier doesn't
want sympathy. He wants chance to
work and live as normal civilian" But
as Infantry Corpsman Kenneth Bucklin
said, Il know this, too-often the only
man able to reach the disabled veteran
Is another disabled veteran"
The idea of training wounded service
men to advise other wounded veterans
originated with William E. Tate, ma
tional director of claims for the Dis
abled American Veterans, in June, 1914.
1t came to him as he got into the
elevator of the Veterans Administration
Building in Washington. He immedi-
ately proposed the project to Maj. o. w.
Clark, assistant in charge of veterans
compensation, education and vocational
rehabilitation, and with the Veterans
Administration backing went ahead.
Washington Is Proving Ground
Washington, with its Government
officials and agencies, was chosen as
the site and American University as
the school to give the ground breaking
course. DR.. Paul F. Douglass, president
of American University, signed the con-
tract on September /, 1914. The program
is sponsored by the Veterans Admin
istration, the Disabled American Vete-
rams and other veteran organizations.
Men taking the course must have a
"service-connection disability so def
nitely established as to leave no room"
for doubt of its origin; los above the
average, an educational background fit
ting them to handle intricate problems
and a strong interest in the welfare of
their returning buddies.
One hour after the contract was
signed, Pvt. Patrick Mcdonald of Long
Island, N. Y, enrolled as the first stu
dent. He was in the DAV Washington
office seeking information on benefits
for disabled veterans when the news was
announced. He asked for further de-
tails, liked the plan and signed up on
the spot
Expert Courses
With the exception of the class in typ
ing, all the classes are held in one room
at American University. The professors
come to the students, so those with arti-
fetal legs or other handicaps need not
dash to other buildings to meet schedules.
Recognized experts teach the veterans
American Government, legislation, ad-
judication of veterans claims, counseling
and occupational advisement, physiology,
medical presentation, parliamentary
procedure and social form, conference
methods, principles of administration
and organization and management.
Courses in analytical reading, effective
writing and oral presentation are also
studied. Seminars bringing the differ
ent courses into proper relationships are
held during the two 12-week terms re-
quired to complete the work.
After graduation the veterans take a
one-week indoctrination course at DAV