By Mary T. Post
If you follow College Avenue west past the last dormitory, where the pavement ends, you will find yourself at the top of a hill. On your right is a warning sign in the form of a blue-coated, smiling officer. His right hand is raised to call your attention to the sign he holds in his left hand. The sign reads: "Slow-10 MPH"
Vet Village became a part of this campus in 1946 when the college joined with other schools across the nation in adding a new area to higher learning by providing housing facilities for veterans.
On down the hill a little way and to your left is Vet Village. Now you understand about the "10-MPHS" sign, for there are children playing here, most of them under four years of age.
18 UNITES
Eighteen barrack units, each consisting of four apartments, are "home" for 72 veterans and their families.
There are no streets in the village. Wide, unpaved spaces between the groups of units could be called driveways. Here the vets' cars are parked. Here many of the children play.
Tiny fenced-in yards are in front of each apartment. Even this time of year you can see that each enclosure has a lawn. In the summer there are flowers.
In each unit two of the apartments have two bedrooms, and two have one bedroom each. Only those couples having children rate a two bedroom apartment. However, because approximately 75 per cent of the couples have children, many families with children live in one bedroom apartments.
KINDRED SPIRIT
A kindred spirit prevails in this group of families. They have the same goals: higher education, a firmer grip on life, and more advantages for thier children. Most of them have sacrificed in order to attain these goals. All of them praise Texas Western College for Vet Village.
They also have a kindred fear. The safety of their children has become a real problem, for many cars go through the village and do not observe the "10-MPH" sign. The villagers have all the desires and responsibilities of families without some of the civil protections afforded by more formal neighborhoods.
LOW RENT
The village rent is low. Water, gas, and lights are furnished. Only a small charge is made for using an electric refrigerator and for running an air conditioner.
Each apartment is furnished with a kitchen stove, a circulating heater for the living room, and a hot water heater.
TWC maintenance men are to be commended, according to many of the village house wives. They answer calls promptly and efficiently.
Last summer new window sashes were put in all the apartments. New sinks and new cabinet doors have replaced the old. Wall to wall linoleum was laid in each room a few years ago. Although the vets must do their own redecorating, the college furnishes paint for this purpose.
According to R.C. Fisk, assistant business manager of the college, there is a waiting list of people whow ant to live in the village.
Most of the families admit the quarters could be better, but they all express gratitude for this community where they may live and rear their children and get an education.
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