The Wilmington morning star., 1947-05-11

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Fish lines leaves during the week on a weIl-earned {?
Of course it might not be a vacation to some but VIVA
crpater pleasure has man than to go fishing? The vaca
lion then will take on the form of a fishing trip to Can,
Hatteras where it is our understanding the big ones plav
Next weeks column will be filed from that place.
AN OPEN LETTER
To veteran representatives:
Therapy treatments of all types have come to the
fore since the end of the World War II with medical
officers of the armed services trying various methods
of bringing wounded men back to a normal state of
mind.
It seems to the writer that those endeavors have bee,
nonted in all but the right direction.
Fishing is a therapy and could be developed to the
point where the disabled veteran could be returned to
his former normal mental status at the same time
he is being nursed back to physical health.
Let me cite several examples:
One young chap from this city, badly wounded in
the past conflict, is paralyzed from the hips down from
injuries resulting from a shrapnel wound in the spine.
He fishes every day-weather permitting-and ac
conpanying him on those expeditions are his wife anC
two children. -
The former serviceman casts a rod and reel with
= fair amount of precision from his wheel chair and his
ordinations of delight when he hooks into one is a
pleasure to hear and behold.
His wife says fishing has done more good for him thar
The doctors were able to accomplish.
He has a good coat of tan and proudly displays his
string or T1Sn Wnen leaving the pier from winch ne has
been fishing. 81 will be fishing from the surf when
it warns up he says and declares he would like to do
hi. of fishing from a party boat CHS name is available
on reques) as he can enjoy that sport while seated.
A second chap has lost his left hand and has improviseC
q reel which he operates with his artificial left hand. AnG
don't for a moment think he can't cast.
A third has lost his right arm and still manages to
handle a rod and reel with an artificial limb.
Both men are jovial and fish as though they had never
had the misfortune to lose a vital portion of their bodies
Tho fourth in tho series Of aXamn!eS takpS lis N
the mental picture.
Imagine a boy (22) who has returned after nearly
three years a Jap prisoner. His spirit has been broken ant
his attempts to pick up the remnants of his thoughts of
civilized society has proven to mo avail
Last fall he started to visit the various fishing
spots and found he could not stand still long enough to
allow a fish to strike his bait.
He was noisy and the clamor raised during his fishing
attempts disguised his companions.
Slowly the therapy got in its work and today the
same man is in good health. a healthy state of mind
and is doing a goody job in his chosen profession.
He still fishes.
He declares he heads for the fishing grounds as soor
as he finds himself getting down in the dumps and
session or two with the denizens of the waters and he is
ready to go again.
could go on and on citing examples of what fish
ing has done for servicemen.
But servicemen alone are not the only persons to whom
fishing proves "a solace."
Take myself for an example. Nothing is more re-
freshlng than a several hours fishing trip after a day
in which the mental strain has tired the physical body.
While fishing, a man forgets the worries of the day ant
is able to place his mind on something foreign to the mat
tiers of the morrow.
Now this is all being brought about by the fact that
veteran hospitals throughout the country are over
crowded.
What is the gimmick (parlance for stunt?
Simple.
Take Wrightsville Beach for an example. Veterans
administration or the State Veterans commission could rem
a large cottage or small hotel and as the men reach tn
state of Physical betterment' they could be taken to tn
np9c6 hnucnd in 4ho rn with o1thor q doctor II cpNpr9
male attendants and taught to fish.
Five will get you one that in a short time a change
OF attitude will be noted in the mental condition OF the
patients and an earlier cure might be obtained in their
physical disabilities as King Sol gets in his work.
Thousands of dollars are being expended each year TO
therapy and therapy training. Why not take a few of thos
buckets Of NICOLA and give the plan a trial?
Johnny Mercer of the Atlantic View pier saw
through the feasibility of the plan several weeks ago
and opened his pier to the disabled veteran without
charge.
He and other pier operators in the area will jump a
ue chance to work with such a plan.
This plan is being offered to the veteran repre-
ssentatives of the area-North Carolina as a whole can
Jump in if it ~desires-without any commercial motive.
II Is now up to you fellows, if you see the plan has
any possibilities, to pass it along to your superlors.
II you need any help from this corner just say the
word. -.
TO FISH LINE READERS:
Space was allotted to the above for the express plrpos
VI uyIng to find fishing pleasures, of the type enjoyed D.
you, for those unfortunates who have been manned or sick
eHed In the performance of duty.
HITS AND MISSES
Aycock Brown writing for the Morehead City
1Chamber of Commerce sends out word that fish caught
(bOnitas) from that port last weekend were the first