US Army School of Nursing - Taps Yearbook (Washington, DC)

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Mrs. Henry R. Rea First Red Cross Field Director, Walter Reed General Hospital. Founder, Rea Medal

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It is again my great privilege to salute the graduating class of the Army School of Nursing. With each year the bond of friendship is strengthened, and not alone by the coming to the Vale School of mem- bers of the Army School, but by an ever-deepening realization of our relationship through our mutual pledge to a great cause — our co nse- cration, as it were, to the up-building of the race. Many schools of nursing assure their students of the attainment of a high degree of skill in the technical procedures of remedial nursing. Fcit ' if any so consistently provide, as do our two schools, the compre- hensive preparation through botii theory and practice in the subjects essential for the muse who interprets her function as that of health teacher as well as practitioner of nursing. For the graduates of the Army School we dare also to predicate that steadfastness of purpose, that devotion to duty that in all lands have been outstanding characteristics of those who serve their country under its military system. I extend to you, dear colleagues, as blazers of new trails and build- ers of finer mansions for the spirit of the future, my warmest congratu- lations on the successful reaching of the first milestone in this great adventure, and my affectionate wishes for the continued success of each and every member of the class. ANNIE W. GOODRICH. Page 19

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DITH OLIVER REA. a Volunteer Worker in Amer- ican Red Cross, was appointed by National Head- quarters as the first Red Cross Field Director at Wal- ter Reed Hospital on May 11. 1918, and the only woman so honored during the war. served until Sep- tember 17, 1919, at which time her active service ended, but not her vital interest in her hospital, and all its activities. In her admin- istration she endeared herself to everyone on the Post by her tact and never failing consideration of others. When the Army School of Nursing was institut ed she recog- nized the need of a rest house for the nurses and was instrumental in securing from the Red Cross what is now known as the Nurses Recreation House. In 1921, at the graduation of the war class, she bestowed the scholarship for advanced special study at Columbia University. The presentation and endowment of the Rea Medal in 1925 for the member of graduating class whom the faculty considers has shown the greatest natural aptitude for her work, not only for the lessons learned from books, but also for human understanding, unfailing cheerfulness and optimism, which were found every- where during the time of stress, but are much harder now with- out the exaltation and excitement of war, is another evidence of her never failing interest. The Rea swimming pool is probably the best known of Mrs. Rea ' s many gifts, but the three green houses, the collection of orchids and other rare plants, she has added from time to time, also give a great deal of pleasure. It is impossible to enumerate her acts of kindness and bound- less generosity. M. H. L. Page 21