CAMP WELFARE COMMITTEE
in Boston for information about a boy who was ill in Vancouver Barracks, Washington. A wire to our Worker at that point brought the following response: “Private B. much better. Looking forward to father's arrival.” The Worker later wrote:
“I went immediately to the hospital and located B. in one of the pneumonia wards. I was allowed but a few minutes' talk with him. I told him who I was and that I had been requested to visit him. He indicated that he did not want Christian Science treatment but was very appreciative and said he would be glad to see me again.”
The relief and comfort brought at such times to the anxious ones at home, can readily be imagined, yet it was much greater in the case of those having wounded boys in France. The many miles which separated them from their loved ones, and the knowledge that it was difficult, if not impossible to receive reports on their condition until sometimes many months had passed, made the efforts of our committee of great service to the “home folks.”
When a case which seemed urgent was reported to the Boston office, a cable was dispatched to the Paris headquarters asking that the boy be visited in person, if this was possible, or helped in Christian Science, if this was desired, or a report secured through the Government Records. Sometimes the reply would be surprisingly prompt, bringing much joy to the families here. Then again many weeks would pass, because our Workers in France found the records in such a chaotic condition that they were often obliged to trace the case through many hospitals or camps.
One instance will serve to illustrate. A letter was received in our office on July 24, 1918, stating that a
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