The Case of Kenneth Daane

Lanky, sandy-haired Kenneth Daane, graduated from Michigan's Grand Haven High School, then supported his mother by grinding precision tools in Muskejon. After he enlisted in the Army he was sent to the University of Chicago. He got pneumonia, lost part of his left lung, then got bronchiectasis. Last March, pallid, 22-year old Kenneth Daane was back in Grand Haven, a 50% disabled veteran, anything but bitter, eager to start a new life. Last week he was well on his way.

Kenneth found his new start in two small rooms in the Masonic Building: Grand Haven's "guidance center." In full possession of the center was a counselor, Dorothy Meeker Holmes, wife of a school superintendent, mother of two, clubwoman, civic worker. Counselor Holmes pondered the problem of Kenneth: how was he to get an education (preferably for a business or teaching career) which would make it unnecessary for a man with less than two lungs to return to a factory?

Counselor Holmes thereupon:

P: Arranged an interview with the high-school principal, who suggested some educational possibilities.

P: Took Kenneth to the Veterans Administration center, where a doctor advised a change of climate.

P: Helped Kenneth settle on the University of Colorado--dry climate.

P: Helped him reckon his budget: the Government will give Kenneth tuition plus $30 a month school allotment, and $1 a month for each percent of disability--a total of more than $80 monthly.

P: Arranged for Kenneth to study typing until he leaves for Colorado next month.

Seven states have set up such experimental guidance centers for veterans. State governments provide blueprints, suggestions, facilities for training counselors. But operation is always local: communities and local groups appropriate funds, choose the controlling boards and personnel, both professional and volunteer. The U.S. Office of Education will study the experiments, seek to perfect formulas applicable all over the country.

Counselors must do more than give information. They must talk sensibly, humanly with puzzled veterans, open doors to helpful officials or employers, initiate plans, check on progress.

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