The Washington herald., 1909-05-31
HONOR DEAD HEROES
Hundreds Visit Graves in
Arlington Cemetery.
READY FOR DAYS OBSERVANCE
Every Mound Has Been Marked with
Miniature American FlaE-Sew
TO the Gate Entrances-Grand Stand
Covered with a Canopy of Canvas.

on the eve OF the national Memorial
Day, the National Cemetery az Airing
ton. Va. was yesterday the mecca %
thousands OF widows. mothers. and chill
dren Of heroes buried in the consecr2ted
soil Of the city Of the nations dead. who
went there to decorate the graves Of their
loved ones.
In addition TO these. there were hun
dreds Of visitors from the city for
days outins-in the quiet. cool shade OF
the place. At the Lee Mansion there was
a large crowd. among them many women
and children. passing through the stately
rooms and halls OF the public part OF the
mansion, while the porticos and lawns
fronting the building and overlooking its
unsurpa assed vista Of the city. the river.
and its environments, bathed In brilliant
sunshine were filed with people enjoy
ing the view spread out before them The
registration books in the main public
room OF the mansion showed the pres
ence OF visitors from many Southern
and other cities
The Graves Marked.
Every grave in the cemetery where les
buried the body Of a soldier or sailor, In
cluding the several hundred graves Of
the men who wore the gray IN the Con-
federate section 20 the southwest OF the
west gate and adjoining Fort Myer. have
| been marked with miniature copies OF the
national flag 70 indicate the resting place
Of heroes who gave their lives either for
/ the preservation OF the Union. or else,
as in the Confederate section. where lie
/ the men who contested with the heroes
/ Of the North for what they thought was
right
The grand stand at the ampitheater
/ where the principal ceremonies al Airing
7 ton viii be held to-day has been covered
I with a canvas canopy. and seats placed
I for the accommodation Of the q. A. r
I bodies that VIII participate in The cere-
I monies. The grass plots around the man
/ sion. where are planted The flower beds.
have been roped Of SO as 70 prevent the
( crowds that viii be in the cemetery to-
/ dav from breaking down the plants
I Late in the afternoon there vas a
military funeral in The cemetery. IN which
/ the cavalry and artillery Of Fort Nyer
I participated. The solemn military funeral
4 dirge. as the cortege passed through the
\ grounds 10 the newly-made grave, the
I sun falling behind The Western Virginia
/ mountains. added i,npressiveness and
/ solemnity 10 the general scene Of advances
/ decoration OF the graves by relatives and
/ friends
/ Came in Automobiles
/ Ire people came in automobiles, car
riages. on the trolley lines. ard afoot-
bringing floral offerings. from the most
costly orchids and florists plants 20 the
ordinary home garden flowers, while
/ others less blessed with this worlds goods
brought their offerings OF field flowers.
( orchard blossoms, and forest conribu-
tons.
! Il was nearly dark before all the people
/ left the cemetery The trolley car service.
\ both by wav OF Arlington Junction and
over the AQueduct Bridge and through
4 GEORGETOWN, was taxed 70 It's fullest ca
] pacitv. but notwithstanding the great
\ crowds that went 20 Arlington. the serv-
ice vas good.
I The new stretch Of track connecting the
old line that formerly went % The Ser
man Gate" extending 20 every gate en-
Y trance Of the ground. was for the frs-
time yesterday put in service Il IS a
u great accommodation 10 the public. as il
/ enables one 10 reach any desired section
7 OF the grounds without having 70 walk
a long distance or hire private convey
auce