The New York herald., 1921-12-26
MEMORIAL WREATHS
SOLDIERS
GRAVES in EUROPE
Christmas Remembrance of
Americas UnknOwns Is
Deyout Function.
FRENCH TAKE PART
Initiative of The New York
Herald of Paris Praised
by French Papers.
CHILDREN AID SERVICE
Little Girl, 4, Sheds Tears as
She Pats Gently One of
1880 A. E. +. Graves.
CHILDREN AID SERVICE

served to accentuate the Significance
Of the sentiment which actuated the
decoration to-day of those graves In
American cemeteries throughout the
war zone which bear crosses marked
with nothing more definite than "Un-
identified American Soldier" Rever-
ent hands placed wreaths of holly on
these graves while unforgetting citi-
zens of France prayed silently for
those who had fallen in the common
cause.
Tonight throughout France and
Belgium there is not one grave of an
unidentified American boy of which 1t
can be said that at the great Chris
tian festival he who sleeps therein was
not remembered.
OF this days program in honor OF
the unknown dead" movement
initiated and carried out by The Nei1
York Herald of Paris, one of the mos
striking ceremonies was that at Bel
leau Woods. where the people OF
Chateau Thierry and Belleau took the
Christmas memorial ritual into their
own hands. There was neither life
nor sound at IL o'clock this morning
In the military cemetery lying below
the woods. forever inscribed in the
history of the United States.
Only on the tall pole in the center
of the inclosure, where gnarled and
twisted trees added to the sombreness
Of the scene, the flags Of France and
tho United States futtered side by
side. lending a touch of color to the
gray fields and gray skies.
Children In the Procession.
F.. Half an hour later little procession
from the hamlet little children walking
In double file. plump checked and in
their Sunday best, headed by their
teachers. But all the little faces showed
an understanding of the seriousness of
the occasion.
Scarcely had they arrived when an
American army motor truck drew up
packed with Boy Scouts In uniform and
carrying patrol flags. They formed a
guard OF honor during the ceremonies.
The wreaths already had been lying at
the cemetery's gates since early morn
ing. The Scouts took up the holly
wreaths and began TO distribute them
among themselves and also TO the school
girls. cvon to the tiniost toddlers-and
there were some who seemed unequal 10
the burden OF even a single wreath.
Then at command from the Scout mas
ter the Boy Scouts moved toward the
fagpole, saluted the Stars and Stripes
and then with the little ones placed the
Christmas tributes which represent SO
much to hundreds of American mothers
at the feet of the crosses
One little girl only years old was
seen to lay her wreath on one grave.
and then. as the tears coursed down her
cheeks. she gave the mound a pat with
her tiny hand as though IL were the
coverlet OF some living brothers bed.
Thus are the children of Franco taught
to revere the memory of those who came
from over the seas.
Work of Loyal, Tender Hands.
These ceremonies" said the Rev. DR..
Wadsworth, director Of the Methodist
memorial, who delivered the PRINCIPAL
address at Beileau Woods. "are intended
only to assure our dear boys from the
homeland that they are remembered and
that In those homes where hearts are
yearning to-day TO be in this place II
may be realized that tender. honest
friends are caring for Americas un-
known dead by placing wreaths In re-
membrance on their graves on the most
sacred day OF our Christian year"
The priest of Belleau village dweIt
briefly on the heroism Of those who
though unknown will never be forgotten
by the French Then the Boy Scouts
departed and the villagers trooped across
the muddy fields. leaving the wreaths
as a symbol of remembrance from home.
Similar scenes occurred In the other
cemeteries In France and Belgium where
nearly 1900 graves of American un-
identified dead received a Christmas
tribute OF remembrance.
Paris newspapers comment tonight
on this initiative by The Netc York Her.
aid of Parts as "a touching gesture of
affection" The Tntrunstgeont stresses
the unusual tribute OF placing 1880
emblems OF remembrance on 1880 white
crosses in France and Belgium" while
the Paris MIDI sees beauty In "Thc Ncw
York Herald Of Pdrts's touching reincm-
brance,' comparable to that displayed
by French citizens who early this morn
ing decorated the tomb OF Frances un-
known hero beneath the Arc de Tri-
omphe.