Nov. 29, 1951

 

Solon Tells House Members How Yank Fighters Assist Kids

 

WASHINGTON-"I think the entire world should be interested in a great humanitarian project that is being conducted by American fighting men in Korea," said Rep. Foster Furcolo (D., Mass.) at a recent meeting of the House of Representatives in Washington.

Furcolo said, "I have just been informed of it by Cpl. Lionel Barrow, Springfield, Mass., who is a member of our Armed Forces fighting in Korea.  In a letter to me, he tells the story of a combat unit's drive to help 108 North Korean orphans through the winter.  Let me emphasize that the orphans being aided are North Korean orphans.

"The units involved are the 25^th Tropic Lightening Division's tankers-the 89 Medium Tank Battalion (commanded by Lt. Col. William Hamilton), and its attached organizations, Company A, 79^th Medium Tank Battalion and 14^th Infantry Regiment Tank Company."

FURCOLO THEN READ Barrow's letter to the House.  "To the Chinese Communists, Task Force Hamilton means blazing 76s and certain death, but to 108 children between the ages of two and 15 in an orphanage in Seoul, it means candy and security against the hard winter which will soon be on us.

                "It may seem incongruous to some people that a battalion of hard hitting tankers, who spend their days and nights killing and being killed, should also be willing to prevent death by providing the money which will feed, clothe and shelter 108 North Korean orphans they have never seen.  But doesn't seem so to us.

                "WITHIN THE WEEK the 89^TH Tank Battalion of the 25^th Division will have turned half of a needed $1650 over to the UN civil assistance command for the He-Myuhg orphanage in Seoul.

                "The money will be used by the UNCAC's public welfare officer, P.G. Cross, to buy shoes, woolens, fuel, supplement their diet, put windows in the somewhat wrecked building.

                "AS ONE CONSTANT visitor to the orphanage explained, those are the things they need; 'not high-heel shoes, silk panties, nylons, lip-stick, semi-formal party dresses.  Necessities, not frivolities.'

                "However, this is but one part of a two fold plan.  'There is a definite need for aid from organizations in the states,' Gross said.  'Units like yours (meaning the 25^th Division) can come to the rescue in an emergency such as exists today, but it takes an outfit permanently located like a church or a well established social organization to provide the steady flow of goods and money that is needed.'

                "PART TWO of the plan calls for getting a personal contact between the tankers and the kids, having the tankers write to their families, friends, etc., and interest them in sending the needed items overseas on a regular basis."