Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-24


transfer of the caskets rom the caissons
The eight body bearers accompanying
each caisson knew perfectly we'll what
their tasks were, and that much of the
funeral. as well as ali other parts. was
done with dispatch. and with no untoward
incident.
Each casket received the tribute of
barred heads. The rain was cold, the
ground was soaked, but such material
unpleasantness took away nothing from
the joy which that company of patriots
seemed to take in doing all those things
which men have instituted for the last
rites over the bones of heroes. President
Taft stood facing the graves, looking
Squarely into the faces of the sailors
who lifted the union jack over them.
Near him We're Father Chadwick and
Chaplain George L. Bayard who was
clad in the robes of the Episcopal
shoulders. Members of the Spanish War
Veterans carried the great masses of
flowers to the graves, and formed in line
upon the west side of the plot awaiting
the final volley and the notes of taps
"Ashes to Ashes"
When the first caisson came to the
proper place in the cemetery, Maurice
Simmons, commander-in-chief.U L. s. W.
", took his position at the head of the
casket. AT the foot were Father Child
wick and Rev. Bayard. Members Of the
stan Of the commander chief, the de-
partment commander of the District or
Columbia and his staff, other members of
the organization and members of the
families of the men of the Maine were
at the head of the column of caissons
also when hey halted at the spot.
When the last casket had been lowered
Commander Knapp. L. S. N, depart
ment commander L. S. W. V, stepped
forward and spoke in memory of the
dead. Chaplain Bayard, using the time
III of In EniS rob
consigned "ashes to ashes. while sea-
man, he spoke those words, scattered
handful of dust upon the coffin In the
thirty-fourth grave. Commander Knapp
said:
Comrades of the United Spanish War
Veterans. assembled to pay our last trib-
ute of respect to these seamen of our
republic. let us unite in prayer.
Chaplain's Prayer.
Chaplain Bayard's prayer for the dead
was this:
Heavenly Father, our prayers ascend
to Thee, with whom there is no death.
Soften our hearts that We may under
stand the celestial words, L am the resur-
rection and the life. he that believeth in
Die, though he We're dead, yet shall he
live. AS cOmrade after cOmrade departs,
and we march on with ranks broken, help
US to be faithful unto Thee and 10 each
other. We beseech Thee look in mercy
rades, and with Thine own tenderness
console and comfort those bereaved by
the event which calls us here. Give them
the oil of joy for mourning. the garment
of praise for the spirit of heavineSS.
Heavenly Father. bless and save our
country with the freedom and peace of
righteousness, and through Thy great
mercy may We all meet before Thy throne
in heaven. And to Thy great name shall
be praise for ever and ever amen
Commander-in-Chief Simmons then said
THE form or ceremony of buryins our
comrades gives evidence of our belief ip
the immortality of the soul and our
hope Of better life beyond the grave, in
which we all have faith.
Every man who enlists as a soldier OF
sailor shows his unselhshness and his
willingness to lay down his life Qf neces-
saryl for his country and the principles
involved.
But equally honorable are the motives
of the comrade who quietly battles his
way through lifes vicissitudes SO living
that when his time arrives his friends
throng to honor his memory and attest
soiAier3 should be taken from US. AS the
years roll on, we. too. comrades, shall
have fought our way through the battle
Of nfe and be laid to rest, our souls fol
lowing the continuously moving column Il
tho realms OF peace beyond Here today
comrades. are to be laid away the bodie:
of nearly three score of unselfish pa
trioeA lsw-abiding citizens. honorabl,
Symbolic Tributes.
Tho ceremony was nearing a close, ant
three men who had fought through the
Spanish war stepped to an open grave
One Of them placed a sprig OF greer
upon the casket. and. bending over tn,
grave, said reverently:
This evergreen is placed upon thu
grave. one for all. and Is emblematic O
tho undying love which a country owes
10 its defenders and the affection tina
as comrades feel for their memory.
Another veteran had a rose for the las
grave. saying as he cast 1t in:
This symbol of purity we offer in ties
timony of our comradely love and az
lection and an emblem of the bette
lie which has come to our comrades.
The third man had a small flag:
Let this flag of our country" said h
as IL huttered into the grave, which
these comrades faithfully served and de
Tended. remain with the comrades who's
mortal remains are inclosed in shes
caskets. one for all and for all time
Father Chidwick's Remarks
Then Father Chadwick, chaplain of tn
Maine, spoke:
1T is said that death is the creates
enemy and the one unconquerable foe o
our race. The casket freshly reminds u
OF the frailty of human life and the un
certain tenure by which we today ar
numbered among the living. In such a
hour We think not, the Son of Ma
cometh. AS we lay away the remain
of these comrades to their eternal res
in the bosom of Mother Earth let US re
member and cherish their virtues an
learn TO initiate them The vacant place