Victory Ships

Re “Ship Relic Sending Out an SOS,” April 10: In citing the historic service record of Victory ships, let us not forget to include their humanitarian service shortly after World War II. Many Victory ships were used to carry thousands of domestic farm animals to Europe to replace those lost during the war. American farmers provided the animals through the Heifer Project begun by the Church of the Brethren in 1945. The animals were bred to give birth after their arrival in Europe. Each first newborn was then given to another farmer. One gift grew to be many more.

At 17 years of age I sailed from Newport News, Va., in June 1946 aboard the Bucknell Victory. We delivered 780 horses and several thousand baby chicks to Poland. Heifer Project International still carries on similar programs throughout the world as well as in needy areas of the U.S.

GEORGE HORNER

Tustin