By Wesley Harris (Claiborne Parish Library Historian)
During World War II, few organizations in Claiborne Parish accomplished more for the war effort than the Red Cross. From bandage-making to fund-raising the Red Cross engaged in efforts to bring the war to a quick conclusion.
At a February 1944 program at Homer City Hall, Mrs. E. A. (Ila) Campbell, parish chairman of the Red Cross reported on the work of the local chapter.
Campbell noted six surgical dressing stations were in operation and had prepared 216,600 surgical dressings.
The chapter also made 691 kit bags which were filled by local organizations and individuals. Red Cross chapters across the country prepared kit bags, filling some with personal items, like safety razor, toothbrush, and other personal care items. Others containing sewing kits for servicemen or items like a deck of cards, cigarettes, small books, shoe laces, waterproof match container, and writing paper.
Campbell reported the chapter’s production room at Homer City Hall had made 442 sweaters, 242 head coverings, 100 mufflers, two afghans, and 25 ladies’ war relief sweaters. An earlier news report announced 65 women and girls were involved in the knitting and 75 women were sewing and crocheting for war relief.
A collection of reconditioned furniture, draperies, electric fans, and a piano were donated to Selman Field, an Army Air Corps base in Monroe training navigators. Assistance provided by the Claiborne chapter included a home service office in the police jury building to aid men in the armed forces and their families. During her report, Campbell said the office had sent 242 telegrams, made 75 home visits, and assisted in filling out 1,245 affidavits and government forms.
Training of civilians was a priority for the Red Cross. Campbell reported 120 had completed a home nursing course. The first course, started in March 1942, geared up quickly after the U.S. entered the war. Many students followed up with a nutrition class and first aid course. Some completed a canteen course although no servicemen’s canteens existed in the parish.
Nationally, the Red Cross set a goal early in the war to training one million civilians in first aid. Unsure if American cities would be bombed like those in Europe, the Red Cross wanted communities to be prepared. Homer had about 25 qualified first aid instructors. Youth below the seventh grade could take the junior course while anyone 17 or older were eligible for the standard course.
Junior Red Cross groups were established at Homer Elementary, Homer High, Athens High and Elementary, Lisbon High and Elementary, Harris High and Elementary, Crossroads Junior High, and Hurricane Elementary and Junior High. In response to an emergency request from the southeastern region of the Red Cross, local junior chapters were asked to secure and ship 1,000 to 5,000 of the needed 200,000 wire coat hangers.
National Junior Red Cross membership grew to almost 20 million during the war. Activities ranged from the production of clothing, toys, furniture and art works to entertainment and recreational pro-grams at military camps and hospitals.
A 1945 Red Cross rally at Homer City Hall featured the Technicolor film, “Combat America,” showing actual aerial combat. Narrated by actor Clark Gable, a member of the Army Air Force, the film was shot from a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. The rally hoped to reach the local quota of $7,000 for the Red Cross.
From The World War II Experience of Claiborne Parish, available for purchase as the Claiborne Parish Library.