Evening star., 1946-11-13
Sullivan Cites Need
OF US0 in Honorinq
Catholics for Service

The urgent need for continuing
the USO for men in the service
was stressed by Undersecretary OF
the Navy John L. Sullivan last night
at the Hotel Statler as he presented
the National Catholic Community
Service with an Army Navy Certifi-
cate OF Appreciation for work done
In the war.
The award was accepted on behalf
of the organization by Cardinal
Stritch, Archbishop of Chicago and
president Of the Board of Trustees
Of the Community Service. The
presentation was made at dinner
attended by notables Of the church
and the armed services. Among
the former were Cardinal Spellman
Archbishop of New York and secre-
tary Of the organizations Board
of Trustees, and Cardinal Mooney
Archbishop Of Detroit. Francis r.
Matthews, chairman OF the groups
Executive Committee and vice presi-
dent Of the USO, presided at the
dinner.
Aided Prosecution Of War.
The citation. signed by Secretary
OF War Patterson and Secretary of
the Navy Forrestal, said:
"The National Catholic Community
Service, member Of the USO, per-
formed exceptional and meritorious
service In World War II. Mobilizing
its resources and those of existing
Catholic welfare movements, and
q women's division for
service women, it dedicated itself to
serving the religious, spiritual, edu-
cational and welfare needs of the
men and women In the armed forces
and In war industries. Its contribu-
ton was Of substantial aid to the
successful prosecution Of the wal
and to the preservation of the basic
values OF American democracy"
Mr.. Sullivan declared he could moi
"overemphasize the urgency OF con-
tinuing the USO" for the soldiers
overseas fighting the battle of bore
dom" on forsaken Pacific islands or
in strange lands.
Il am happy to know" he said,
"the NCCS work is being continued,
In the Army and Navy
hospitals and in veterans institu-
tions."
Cardinal Stritch recounted the
problems of building up the com-
service from scratch and
indorsed Mr.. Sullivan,s remarks con-
corning the urgency of keeping the
USO functioning during the postwar
period. In addition, he pointed out
the needs presented by the sudden
growths Of war industry populations.
DR.. KimbaH Cites Need.
The necessity of keeping USO
functioning also was expressed by
DR.. Lindsey r. Kimball, president
Of the organization.
War Department representatives
ut the meeting were the Most Rev.
William r. Arnold. military delegate
for the armed forces and Army
Chief Of Chaplains during the war,
and Brig. Gen. William e. Bergin,
deputy director, personnel and ad-
division, War Depart
ment General STAFF.
Among the church dignitaries
present were the Most Rev. Michael
J. Ready, Bishop of Columbus; the
Most Rev. John M. Cannon, Bishop
OF Erie and vice president and
treasurer Of the community services
Board Of Trustees, and the Right
Rev. Msgr. Howard ]. Carroll, Ma
tional Catholic Welfare Conference,
general secretary and secretary Of
the services Board of Trustees.
Others attending the affair In
cluded James s. Mitchell, executive
director Of the service; Brig. Gen.
William =. Riley, q. s. Nj. G., and
Rear Admiral Glenn d. Davis, COM
mandant Of the Potomac River
Naval Command.