U.S. SOLDIERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22477, 12 January 1943, Page 2

U.S. SOLDIERS

Popular Convalescents Guests Of Wellington Residents “Can I keep him another week?” That is a question which has been asked a number of times by New Zealand hosts who have taken convalescent American patients into their homes over Christmas. In twos and threes these men have been received into New Zealand homes and given a true, happy Christmas they would otherw'ise have missed. The control of all arrangements of this nature for men from an American naval hospital in the Wellington province is in the hands of the American Red Cross Area office in Wellington where the Field Director. Mr W. J. Enders, has delegated the work to Mrs John Gerard. Though this particular branch of American Red Cross activities only began operation a few days before Chistmas. more than 200 men were allotted to hospitable homes, many of them still being on their visits. Some of the men have gone quite far afield, one group of more than 50 going to Gisborne. Te Gisborne arrangements were effected bv Mrs Oakden. of the Gisborne branch of the New Zealand Red Cross Socletv, who came to Wellington for the purpose. The men were accompanied on their journey by a doctor from the hospital and were billeted in twos and threes in homes in the town Transport was provided by the New Zealand Government, a special railcar being run right through to Gisborne. In Napier the party were met bv local Red Cross members, who saw that they were provided with lunch as well as books, fruit and flowers. This party is due back in Wellington to-day. , .... Quite a number of one-day visits for the patients were arranged in Wellington homes, and the reports received both from hosts and guests showed that the visits were, without exception, most successful. Many of the hosts have issued invitations through the American Red Cross for the same men to be permitted to visit them again at New Year. Less Well Patients Some of the offers to receive convalescents came from hostesses who had in other times been nurses or had nursing experience. To these men who are not quite so far on the way to recovery as others were sent, with the knowledge that they would receive watchful hospitality, and that their hostesses would see they were not overtired. Tlie commanding officer of the hospital has expressed his deep appreciation of the efforts of the hosts, and all the men arc delighted with their reception. The change of atmosphere goes a considerable way in aiding recovery specially so when the occasion has been made so bright by Christmas festivities in the home. For the present the scheme is restricted io hosts in the North Island but there have been a number of invitations for men to visit towns and cities in the northern part of the South Island. The extension of the scheme to include these parts is under consideration.