Eagle River Review

What Chapters should do for discharged Soldiers:

1. Demobilization: The American Red Cross has been informed by the War Department that demobilization of Military Forces at camps in the United States has begun and will continue at the rate of 500 men a day from each camp.

The War Department has suggested that the American Red Cross express the appreciation of the American people to discharged soldiers en route homeward. This is a privilege which the Red Cross should be prompt to embrace.

2. Government Plan: Preliminary information is to the effect that each man will receive pay to time of his discharge. In addition he will receive 3c per mile travel allowance. At each camp non-transferable tickets will be on sale at two thirds regular coach rate. These tickets will be good from camp to each man's home, or to the point of induction. Tickets will cost approximately 2c per mile, leaving 1c per mile for expenses enroute.

3. Organization of Chapter Committee. In view of the nation-wide plan for welcoming home the discharged soldiers, each Red Cross Chapter should organize a committee composed of the Chairman of Chapter and the Chairman of Canteen, Home Service and Publicity. The duty of this committee is to initiate a movement to prepare a suitable program of welcome. It should (1) promote the organization of a Community Welcome Home Committee. (2) coordinate the activities of the regular Chapter committees on Canteen, Home Service and Publicity, and (3) establish a "Welcome Home Roll" containing the name of every returned soldier.

4. Community Welcome Home Committee: This committee should be appointed in co-operation with the Chamber of Commerce, other patriotic organizations and also the Mayor of the city. It is suggested that the function of the Community Welcome Home Committee should be to arrange for the public decoration of railroad stations and other public places, and for the undertaking of any special community activity on behalf of the returned soldiers.

Red Cross Obligation: Soldiers should be made to feel that they are heartily welcome and that their return home is of sufficient moment to announce it to their fellow townsmen through the press. It is also a privilege of the Red Cross to represent the community in acting as an enrolling agent and caring for the soldier and his family at the time of his return.