326th Communication Reconnaissance
Company
APO 301
31 December 1952
SUBJECT: Company Support of the Children of Manassas
Manor Orphanage
To: The men of the 326th Comm. Recon. Co.
Thanks fellows, thanks for your help in making this
Christmas one which the children of Manassas Manor will remember for
a long time. Gratitude is the memory of the heart, and it is there that
these children will remember you.
While the children no longer live in the buildings
across from the motor pool they cannot be forgotten by us. It was with
the understanding that we would continue to help in their support that
Mrs. Rue and Miss Robson agreed to take these children under their care.
Now that the children have been integrated into the larger household
at the Seoul Sanatorium and Hospital Orphanage we will no longer regard
only these 50 children as ours to support, but will help in the support
of the 250 children of that institution. This does not mean that we
are making a drive to obtain five times the amount of contributions
formerly given, but will rather carry on as before insofar as the donations
go. We will give this amount to the administration of the Seoul Sanatorium
and Hospital Orphanage to be used equally on all of the children. This
policy is put into effect so as to prevent a discrimination between
the children under the same roof.
For the men in the Company who have arrived recently
and are not familiar with the situation, here is the story. The Company
has been supporting an orphanage of 50 and more children for some time.
This orphanage used to be located across the street from the motor pool.
As the facilities there were not very good, and qualified, trustworthy
supervisors were not to be had, the children were moved during November
to their present quarters on the property of the Seoul Sanatorium and
Hospital Orphanage. Two American women run the place. It is essentially
a Seventh Day Adventist Medical Mission but is run on a strictly self
supporting basis. Such a thing is next to impossible due to the current
exigencies and it is only through the donations given by private citizens
in the United States and by the GIs here in Korea that enables the institution
to carry on.
While the children were still in Manassas Manor
we had many people send things for them and aid materially in their
support. Most of these people are still carrying on in their same generous
way helping the children in their new home. One letter arrived yesterday
telling of the results of the efforts of one woman who knows of the
orphanage only through a letter printed in a local paper by one of the
men of this company. She writes that a six months supply of cereal has
been donated by Quaker Oats Company, Borden Milk Company is donating
a large supply of powdered milk and the A & P Co. is donating dried
fruits and vegetables for a total of over 150 lbs. of food stuffs!!
Whenever a truck is going to the orphanage to take
them food or clothing a notice will be placed on the bulletin board
so that any EM wishing to go along to visit the place may do so. If
no vehicle is scheduled and you wish to pay a visit see one of the members
of the Orphanage Committee and a trip might be able to be arranged.
The committee will solicit financial support from
you at this pay call. Give what you feel you can. Any contribution is
greatly appreciated.
FOR THE ORPHANAGE COMMITTEE:
George F. Drake
Cpl RA 12344689
KOC-004
