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A Path to HufnaVs DoorBy B. J. ABBOTTIf you're a veteran, and have no troubles, brother, you're lucky,If you're a veteran, and haven't many troubles, you're unusual.But if you’re a veteran, and, like lots of veterans, have lots of troubles, you’d better meet Joe, and I mean quickly.Because Joe is just waiting to help you.He’s Joe to you, and Joe to me, and a good guy to know under any circumstances.Those who don't know him as Joe know him as Joseph M. Hufnai, service officer of Captain Lynch-Sergeant Brush Post No. 1521 VFW, and - member of the service department of the State of Pennsylvania.He was born at Swarthmore in ’89, and he’s lived in Delaware County all his life, except when he was qualifying to be a veteran himself. Joe played ball in the Delaware County League as an amateur, andLynch-Brush Post Has Croix de GuerreBelieved to be the only French Croix de Guerre ever awarded to a unit of less strength than a regiment, there is housed at the Lynch-Brush Post No. 1521, VFW, the medal, first class, with palm leaf, and the original citation, signed by then General Petain.It was awarded to 2nd. Platoon, B, (Chester) company, lllth Infantry. commanded by Second Lieutenant John H. Shenkel, On July first, 1918. 5S men of the platoon took Hill 204 from the Germans, who had previously inflicted 5009 casualties on the French in an attack two weeks earlier.The lllth Infantry was, at the time, under the superior command of the French General Mangm, and it was that commander’x plan, to make frequent raids in the vicinity of the hill, always with different units, to convey an impression of strength concentrated in the vicinity.During the night of June 30, Shenkel’s platoon crossed the river Marne, dug itself in at the foot of the hill, and lay doggo through-in the New York State League asa pro, Came World War I. and off went Joe to earn three stripes, and become Platoon Sergeant of the Fourth Platoon, Company B, 11th Infantry. A wound at the Battle of the‘Marne in 1918 put a stop to his diamond activities, but he's still playing bail for any veteran, veteran's widow, or dependents. ^While brigaded with the Fifth Battalion of the Royal Scots. Joe and his Platoon were selected to act as demonstration platoon in a display before the Duke of Windsor, then the Prince of Wales. Joe still rates the time when he shook hands with His Royal Highness as one of the proudest moments of his life. (On this side, he also shook hands with Jimmy Wilde, former flyweight champion of the world.“and rates Jimmy pretty highly, too.)With that. background, it. isn’t hard for us to realize why Joe was selected for his present job. When the first injured and disabled servicemen . started to return from World War 31, in 1942, the Lynch-Brush Post decided to do something about it. They did. They installed Joe. The Post pays his salary, and bears the expenses of his office, his stationery land he uses plenty), a car to get to those who can’t get to him, and all. the etceteras that go with a good job well done.^His duties? To assist all veterans, and their dependents, of any U. S, or allied services, who have been concerned in any war in which America took an active part. You don't have to . be a member of Lynch-Brush Post to avail yourself of the services the Post provides, although fcht Post funds,■: Vov - • ■JOSEPH M. HUF.NAL9'dues and the receipts from poppy :sales, pay for that service.Perhaps at the top of Joe's duties comes the problems of hospitaliza-: lion, because he figures that the jsick need the greatest attention, [and the well can wait jus: a little ! while. Recently Joe heard of a lease—it wasn’t brought to him— ;of a vet who. discharged in 1943, | developed tuberculosis within two I years. An older brother, a veteran I of World War l, had spent over '$2000 on treatment for the younger ;man. When Joe heard about it in ! January last, he started tilings i humming. By last week, the sick i man was safely installed in a vets’ill spita! in Lyons. N. J.. receiving expert attention fpr which ilie government is paying. The Franklin Rescue Squad ambulance took him ! there. The Veterans’ Administra-j tion will pay all expenses from now ;on. and . . . the brother will al-1 most certainly get reimbured for. toll expenses paid by him.Hospitalization, out-patient treatment. emergency ambulance calls.BILL MAULDIN'S CARTOONside of the women, and works side; by side with Miss Miller at the Vet-| ei-ans’ Information and Advisory; Center on Fifth street. The Center!arranges for prominent local busi-i ness men to interview veterans who arc thinking of starting out in busi-; ness for themselves. Thus, those, who have learned already can help.those who intend to learn.While we were talking to Joe,, a young vet who was having a little; financial trouble, came into the. office. He was married, and due to’ start at college this week. His first5 check was not due till the end of a month. Was there any way in; which he could get an advance?’ Joe called the Department of Public Assistance. Tenth anti Walnut streets, scrawled a hasty note of: ' identification, and the ’ youngster went on his way rejoicing.Terminal leave, review ot; badges ior* discharges, replacement of lost ; !papers, GI or on-the-job training.! | college placements, employment, in- j isurance; it makes no difference—! ] see Joe. He’s available twenty-four j hours a day at Iris office. 128 East. Sixth street, dial 2-7661, or his home; at Swarthmore, 1082. jHe can even help with tha vexed | housing problem, through his contacts with real estate men; and, [more than once, lie’s found a needy I vet a bed for the night.In his ‘ “spare time — he only 1 ;handles an average of three hundred1 leases a month—Joe runs a school: for service officers of other vets’j organizations. At all times his ad-r vice is there for the asking. He always keeps a good stock of all the forms needed for veterans’ administration work. and. believe it or not, knows how they should be filled in.As a welcome relief from his other duties, he regularly visits the Naval Hospital at Philadelphia, toe Vets’ Hospital. Perry Point, Md., Coates-ville Hospital, and all the local ones.And, If the sad necessity arises, he'll arrange for funerals, buglers, and firing squads, assist the widow with her pension difficulties, and see that a proper headstone is provided and placed in position.So If you’re a vet. or dependant of vet. the thing to do is, Leave it to Joe.”-iv'r-s.'%-aSSI A Rlt;WestlishSchoo accelo Miss ' ML A.Chest JetTer She ;yvateiThe created tection the salcoastalacres.
Newspaper Details
Chester Times
Chester, Pennsylvania, US
Tue, Mar 16, 1948
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Delaware C.
PA, USA 23 Dec 2022
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