The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1921-05-28

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JUST across I n historic Potomac
overlooking the capital of the nation
from a commanding bluff is the no
blest of American cemeteries, and from
the midst of its verdant green is re-
lected in the morning sunlight n Won
derful edifice of snow-white marble. 1t
is the new Memorial amphitheater, the
o splendid monument to the heroic
dead ever erected by any nation. In
beautiful Arlington lie buried more
than 10000 men, Union soldiers and
sailors of the Civil war, from private
and seaman to general and admiral,
Confederate soldiers, soldiers of the
Spanish war and soldiers and sailors
OF the regular army, navy and marines
who have died in times of peace. 1t is
the highest of hOnors to be eligible TO
burial in Arlington and while major
generals and second lieutenants lie
side by side near the men they com
manded in battle, not one civilian, no
matter what his influence, may find
burial within It's confines. Nor could
one wish to lie down to final rest in
more beautiful surroundings.
Over every foot of the slopes and
Wales of this magnificent reservation
the national government provides for
n most perfect care the grass is kept
green and cut and the bushes and
shrubs cared for as in Il royal park,
fragrant wistaria climbs over an ex-
tensive trellis where the Memorial day
exercises have always been held, on
all sides Towering shrubs contributing
their living beauty and perfume to the
impressive ceremonies on this day Of
the nations remembrance. Every
President of the United States since
the Civil war, except one, has felt hon
ored by an invitation to speak at Ar
lington on Memorial day.
Worthy of the Dead.
IOl iAb toAP 1A Ills WIS
taria-covered temple has been entirely
inadequate for the rapidly growing
throngs attending the services, and
some thirteen years ago the Grand
Army of the Republic appealed to con-
gress for a building fitting the great
the white crosses and ~silencing for
moment the song of the birds. A younj
marine faced the flag, saluted, an
placed a bugle to his lips. Upon tn
warm clear air of that May day Their,
fioated down the sweet and plaintiv,
notes of FLAPS" And-lt was finished
Girls Scatter VioIets.
But wait. Who are these? Out o.
the watching throng came youns
French girls, to scatter vlolets upor
our graves. And they told us, OF
mothers of America, that they would
take u place next year, and In aIl
the ear 70 GaTa--TAVIDrsi!lAe uaSlIu
/ ers upon these graves THIS year.
Gradually the cemetery became de-
SCI lCh tAAtpl u IL lew WIN 11lktItt.
A group of marines stood about the
grave of a comrade very dear. It's
marker was of stone and bore these
words: "A true soldier beloved of his
comrades At one side a lad stood
weeping and told us hat his brother
fell beyond the German lines.
Madame Gounelle, Georges and his
mother came and talked with US. Love
and sympathy shone in their faces as
they told us of the honor that was
theirs in caring for these graves. I
thought of Georges letter and his offer
of the friendship of "a little French
man." Deep in our hearts there will
live forever n memory of this 'little
Frenchman."
1t was just the loving kindness Of a
kindly people and was thus, no matter
where we vent. Pllgrimages to the
cemeteries at Suresness, Chalons.
F1smes, Chatel-Guyon only served to
deepen our gratitude to them.
oh, Mothers Of America, you need
not fear. Again the mother hearts in
France will leap the wide expanse Of
sea and utter a prayer for you as they
drop their flowers upon our graves this
year.
And above those glorious crosses.
wherever they may be, ever fonts Old
Glory, as she whispers to the breeze 4:
1 called them and they followed;
I guard them In their sleep.