The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-07-23
RETURNING VETS
 UNCERTAIN AS TO HOME JOBS
BY MILTON l.. CARR United Press Staff Correspondent

Atkinson Field, British Guiana July 23 (UP)-Have you ever won dered what service men returning to the United States think about during the long trip home, what they are looking forward to most?
 It is hard for 8 person who has not undergone the hardshipS these men have borne for months on end to understand what goes on in their minds.
 Through this field pass hundreds of veterans each day. They are the men who for various reasons, were selected to return to the United States by plane. Some of them, the specialists, will go on to the Pacific after furloughs at home. Most of the mhave been overseas for two and three years-in Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Ireland, Germany England. Many were in the inva- sion of North Africa in November 1942, and have been fighting ever since. They are good cross-sec- tion o fthe men who will be land- ing in the United States by ship and plane for many months to come.
 No Horseplay
 The thing that impresses you most is their soberness, their quiet unobtrusive manner. There is nc horseplay and little conversation Most of them seem engrossed in their thoughts. They don't act like men on their way home for the 1 first time in three years. Maybe they are little afraid of what they will find when they get there.
 A lot of these men will receive discharges from the service when they arrive in the States. Yet sev- eral of them interviewed here had no idea of what they would do in civilian life.
 T don't know how things are around there. I don't know what to expect" explained M-Sgt. Glen way Hardwig of Wheaton, Minn He had served 27 months overseas ] in North Africa, England and Italy He was sure of one thing, however God, I want to get home," he said softly and with emphasis. Hardwig is mechanic.
 Corp. Waiter Phelps of Waynes- burg, Ky, was a little embarrassed to admit that he had no concrete i plans for the future. Tt looks like have had enough time to figure out something" he said. This 24- year-old veteran. a member of the 1st Armored Division, went ashore at Gran in the African invasion. He also saw service in Italy, Northern Ireland and England.
 Has Job Waiting
 T-Sgt. Morris Roche of Lancas- ter, Pa, also a member of the 1St Armored, had better idea of what he would do. He is 30, little older than the others, and has a wife and his old job waiting for him. The job is in the Veterans Administration and he talked about it with the eagerness of man who likes his work.
 Sgt. Bernard McManus of Bethel Conn, had plans for his first week home, but beyond that they were a bit hay. He was stationed in Hawaii when the Japs attacked Pearl Harbor. He was in the Pacific 30 monthS-at Guadalcanal and m the Battle of Midway-before go- ing to Italy with the 459th Bom- bardment Group.
 "The first thing I want to do is go to New York, get myself a hote! room for about a week and send out my laundry he said, That's fine deal. did it once before with a couple of guys when We went back to the States on furlough.
 After that I don't know what I'll do The last time, after We got all rested up and full of ice cream and milk, and our clothes cleaned We got to wondering what the boys back in the outfit were doing, Be- fore We knew it we were waiting to get back, Maybe it'll be the same this time, If 1t is, guess I'll just stay in until the Japanese war ii over"