Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1921-11-17
AMERICA HONORS
UNKNOWN HERO
NATION PAUsES TO RENEW ITS
PLEDGE OF FAITH TO CAUSE
WARRIOR GAVE LIFE
THRONGS ATTEND CEREMONY
Americans From All Walks of Life
March Behing Caisson Bearing
Body of Unknown Soldier To
It's Final Resting Place

Washington.-Long before the rls-
Ing sun broke through low bank Of
clouds, long columns Of soldiers, sail
ors and marines Friday began making
their way to the capitol plaza, there to
receive into their keeping Americas
unknown soldier and to accompany
him to his final resting place at Ar
lington national cemetery.
Just as the first Of the suns beams
! touched the statute of liberty sur
mounting the capitol dome, beneath
which lay the unknown soldier, sharp
commands began to ring out about the
capitol as portions of the military es-
cort took their places.
There was a stir about the White
house, and at Z 80 o'clock automobiles
were In waiting to convey President
Harding to the capitol to take his place
in the funeral procession as the ma
tons chief mourner.
As the band outside played "Near-
er, My God, to Thee" the coffin was
lifted upon the shoulders of the body
bearers and taken through the east
door to the caisson few moments be-
fore s o'clock. The honorary pail
bearers followed. There was no cere-
mony In the rotunda AS the body was
removed, the soldier guard of honor
that had stood about the bier broke
ranks
At 8:15 President Harding motored
to the capitol to take his place in the
funeral procession. Meanwhile the
senate met and adjourned, going to the
rotunda to fall In line.
The procession moved from the cap
ltal grounds at 1892 o'clock. Imme-
diately following the unknown sol
dier's body, walked President Harding
and General Pershlng side by side,
with their aides at a short distance.
1t was 9:15 o'clock when the head of
the procession reached the White
house. When the caisson had passed,
President Harding turned out of his
place In line, and after passing
through the executive offices went to
the front Of the White house grounds
to review the remainder of the line az
1t passed on its way to Arlington. The
president later took a motor car for
the amphitheater.
Just before IL 10 O'Clock the caisson
bearing the flag-draped coffin arrived
at the west entrance OF the amphi-
theater at Arlington and the casket
was borne tenderly within and placed
on the catafalque. The great audience
arose and uncovered as 1t passed In,
followed by General Pershing and the
distinguished officers of the army and
navy as mourners. Representative
bodies from all allied nations then
filed In.
President Harding delivered an ad-
dress Immediately afterwards trib-
ute In the name of the American peo-
pie to the man who slept beneath the
flag. Unbroken silence prevailed
while the president spoke.
At the conclusion of his address, the
president leaned over the casket and
pinned to 1t the Congressional Medal
of Honor and the Distinguished Ser
vice Cross. Representatives of the |
allied nations then placed upon the
casket decorations and medals sf
honor.
AS the body was taken to the crypt |
the last moment of the solemn cere-
mony was at hand. At slow half-step |
to the dlrge-lIke music of the band the |
casket was carried out to the moulded
stonework that surrounds the resting |
place. The band played LEAD. Kindly |
Light" as the pallbearers laid the cas-
ket on the silver railing over the crypt. |
Generals and admlrals of the unknown |
soldiers guard stood bareheaded.
AS the casket was placed, the body
bearers gave place to the high officers,
headed by Major General Hartford and /
General Rodman, who lowered 1t ten
derby into the crypt
A crashing salvo Of artillery roared |
out. Three rolling, laundering blasts |
sounded while the long lines OF troops
stood at present arms" then taps, |
the soldiers requiem, sounded, to be |
followed by quick roar OF 81 guns,
the national salute. Americas hero
was at rest forever In his majestic |
shrine among the quiet hills. He lies |
unknown, but not unhonored nor I'M
sung