“Les Foyers Du Soldat. Union Franco-Américaine” Y.M.C.A. Pamphlet

Y.M.C.A. pamphlet, 1918

In addition to surgeries and clinical care, the hospital staff attended to morale and spiritual health of workers and patients alike. A chaplain affiliated with Base Hospital No. 18 ministered to the community’s spiritual needs. There was also a branch of the YMCA, an organization that made it a mission to maintain the emotional and moral strength of American soldiers. Team sports, theater, films and music were considered welcome aids in patient recovery. The YMCA and Army also saw these activities as helpful distractions from “vices” like alcoholism, gambling and prostitution. The above pamphlet advertised the YMCA as a space welcome to French and American soldiers.