Re: Attitudes toward Korean War

[<ChosinMead@aol.com>]

John, in addition to your story of the Red Cross. Shortly after arriving in 
Yokosuka Naval hospital, a Red Cross worker came and asked if I had written 
home, and gave me a sheet of paper, an envelope, and a pack of Lucky Strikes, 
some time later we were advanced $20.00. I received $19.75, The Red Cross 
deducted $.25. $.05 for the paper, and $.20 for the cigarettes. I later found 
out if I had been able to walk, just outside of the ward door was the Ship 
Stores where Luckies could be purchased for $.12! That is when I found out 
that the Red Cross is a profit making international corporation.
Also, at that time, hundreds of Marine wounded were flooding into the 
hospital, overwhelming the staff. We filled the basement, the corridors, etc. 
They moved the Doctors, nurses, and Corpsman out of their quarters and used 
it for the wounded. the Navy hospital staff pooled their money and bought 
essentials and goodies for the wounded, They were busy saving lives, and 
asked the Red Cross to distribute the Ditty bags. In the bag were, 
toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, shaving soap, a roll of Charms. Each item had 
a little sticker on it that said-donated by the American Red Cross. Needless 
to say, the Staff was highly pissed, but at let the Red Cross didn't make us 
pay for it. To this day, I have never and will never donate one red cent to 
the Red Cross. The only Organization that ever did any thing for us (without 
wanting something in return) was the Salvation Army-They get all my donations.