MARCH 1938 r . Legion; STCRMTROOPER : C^e WAR ad SEEN a GERMAN SOLDIER Copyright 1938, Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co. What Hospital Life Taught Alb e rt Curtis CRATTAN CONDON SIX years many things can hap- INpen, especially within the walls of a veterans' hospital. To a variety of experiences, in my own case, I re- sponded in a perhaps not unusual man- ner. But now, once again back in civilian life, I realize how harmful it was for me to indulge in certain moods. For example, in being afraid, in expressing resentment, suspicion, anger and even non-cooper- ation with the hospital staff and with my fellow-patients. Hospital life can be compared to out- side life in this respect, that there are in both so many things to be grateful for, and especially so many good turns to do, that it is actually a waste of time and positively injurious for one to harp on un- pleasant things, and turn them over irra- tionally in mind, as I occasionally did. I remember, for example, the time I was very much wrought up over a trivial matter. It was a bright moonlight night, I confess (with and the moon seemed all the more bril- blushes) that I liant after the night-nurse had made her sassed her back bed-check, and lights on the ward were turned off. I decided therefore to lower the Venetian blinds, and without think- ing of my neighbor, I lowered them. But borly and friendly, not put into practice ing whether I pulled through or not. Now perhaps just because I wanted them the ideal of consideration for others. I felt that I ought to sit up a little and re- down, this patient suddenly decided he While in this confessional mood, I want gain my strength. That, by the way, is a wanted them up, and as soon as I was in to tell another one on myself, and remark common expression used by hospital pa- bed, he raised them, but with such a vio- that I am glad that as long as it did hap- tients, and unduly magnified by them, lent jerk that the whole contraption fell pen, it took place in the early part of my for after recovery it is quite easy to slap-bang to the floor. For hours I could hospital days. At that time I was foolish regain one's strength, as was pointed out not sleep (for I had also been foolish enough to believe that certain nurses had to me later. But at that time I boldly got enough to indulge in a little display of it in for me. It began by my not obeying out of bed when the nurse's back was temper), and now I realize that other pa- rules. In that hospital, all the cases in my turned, and seated myself bulkily in my tients in the ward must also have been category of non-ambulant patients had chair. disturbed. If only I had been tactful, and to remain in bed twenty-four hours a day. I certainly felt guilty, of course, know- asked my neighbor's permission to lower By the time I write of, however, I was ing that I was deliberately breaking the the blinds, all would, perhaps, have been feeling decidedly better than on the day rules, but nevertheless I began writing hunky-dory. But at that time I had not I was carried into the Veterans Hospital letters. When the nurse turned about and learned the great lesson of being neigh- on a stretcher, half-delirious, and not car- saw me in a chair, {Continued on page 42) MARCH, 1938 I ; CforQodandcountry , we associate ourselves togetherjor thefollowing purposes: Oo uphold and defend, the Constitution Jofthe UnitedStates ofAmerica; to maintain law and order; tofosterandperpetuate a one hundredpercent Americanism. topreserve the memories and incidents ofour association in theQreaifWar; to inculcate a sense of"individual obligation to the com- munity,stateandnation; to combat the autocracy ofboth the classes andthe masses; to make right the master ofmight; topromote peace andgoodwill on earth; to safeguardand transmit to posterity the principles of_"fusticejreedom and democracy ; to conse- crate andsanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.— Preamble to the Constitution ofThe American Legion. v n~he Jlmerican March, 1938 Vol. 24, No. 3 LEGIONMAGAZINE Published Monthly by Tht American Legion, tfj West izd Street, Chicago, lllinots EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICES Indianapolis, Ind. 1$ West 48th St. , New York City Past National Com- CONTENTS 892. It won the Frank N. Belgrano, WHEN SONS OF THE LEGION Cover mander R. Quinn, Trophy for the most John By Edwin Earle Jr., outstanding President of the 1938 Ameri- WHAT HOSPITAL LIFE TAUGHT service to the program of the Boy can Legion Convention Corporation ME 1 Scouts of America. Its San Gabriel of Los Angeles, extends the right By Albert Curtis Post Drum and Bugle Corps (and Illustration by Graltan Condon hand of fellowship (and what a hand San Gabriel is in Los Angeles STORMTROOPER 5 it is!) to his buddies next September, By W. W. Ross County) won the Russell G. Crevis- he will have at his elbow, as co- Illustrations by J. W. Schlaikjer ton Trophy in the drum-corps com- greeters, representatives of one. hun- A WAY OUT 8 petition. Hollywood Post took the By James Truslow Adams dred and seventy Posts. That is more John R. McQuigg Trophy by winning Illustration by Edward A . Wilson Posts than any other county in these LET'S GO, LEGION! 10 the Fidac Post Rifle Team Match. United States can boast. By Frank L. Pinola (P. S. Hollywood is also in Los An- 12 FOUR WITNESSES geles County.) In addition to this, By Timothy Fuller F course, the catch in that is Los Angeles Police Post (those boys Illustration by Forrest C. Crooks o that Los Angeles County is COWS, CHICKENS AND AMERI- whose motorcycle gyrations amazed enormous as everybody knows. It CANISM 14 and delighted the millions who By Thomas Malone comes as something of a surprise, J. looked on at New York), shooting TWENTY YEARS AGO 16 therefore, to learn that nine other as The American Legion A BIRTHDAY CALL TO SERVICE 18 entry at in California it in counties exceed By Daniel J. Doherty, National Com- Camp Perry, Ohio, last year, took area. They certainly go in for things mander down some gold medals—the first ABOUT A HOLE-IN-ONE in a big way out there. HOW time the Legion ever figured among CONTEST? 20 By Winsor Josselyn winning pistol teams. All of which ANYWAY, Legion, Los Angeles Illustration by William Heaslip seems to indicate that out-of-State /a. County will be yours next Sep- THE LIFE AND DEATH OF visitors will find in California a CHARLES G. CLEMENT 22 tember, specifically from the 19th to Legion that is resourceful, competent, By Samuel Taylor Moore inclusive little the 2 2d, both dates —a Illustration bv Ravmond Sislev alert, continually up and doing, re- more than inclusive, because you can INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS 24 spected the length and breadth of the come early and stay late. And if you By Frank A. Mathews, Jr. State. Funny, but Department Ad- Cartoons by George Shanks come, say, from Calais, Maine, you jutant Jim Fisk has been telling us EDITORIAL: safety first 27 aren't going to limit the Los Angeles CLEAR EYE AND STEADY HAND 28 just that for quite a few years. show to a four-day affair. By Boyd B. Stutler HELD BY THE ENEMY 32 THERE'S a report that the tall corn By John J. Noll CALIFORNIA got all set at the THE UBIQUITOUS DEMON- which Iowa will tote in the Los New York National Convention STRATOR 36 Angeles parade September 20th may by carrying off more awards than any By Wallgren be grown in California. Department 38 other Department. It won the Frank- BURSTS AND DUDS Adjutant R. Laird of Iowa has in- Conducted bv Dan Sowers J. having the stituted Cali- lin D'Olier Trophy for FRONT AND CENTER 40 pourparlers with the highest percentage of eligible ex-serv- fornia Legion with this end in view, ice men. It won the Frederick W. and the outcome will be awaited with Galbraith Trophy for having in the IMPORTANT breathless interest. Laird figures the Fifth Avenue parade more mile-mem- transportation bill will be lighter and A form for your convenience if you wish bers, Legion and Auxiliary, than any the stalks greener if the plan goes to have the magazine sent to another ad- (it will have a other Department dress will be found on page 49. In noti- through. And now the California hard time repeating on that one). If fying the Indianapolis address be sure to Legionnaire suggests an effort be you're interested in figures, Cali- include the old address as well as the new made to supply the Kansas delegation and don't forget the number of your Post fornia's member-mileage was 2,818,- with native sunflowers. and name of Department. The American Legion Magazine is the official publication of The American Legion, and is owned exclusively by The American Legion. Copyright 1938 by The American Legion. Entered as second class matter Sept. 26, 1931, at the Post Office at Chicago, 111., under the act of March 3, 1879. Daniel J. Doherty, Indianapolis, Ind., National Commander, Chairman of the Legion Pub- lishing and Publicity Commission; Members of Commission: Philip L. Sullivan, Chicago, 111.; William H. Doyle, Maiden, Mass.; Jean R.