Charlevoix county herald., 1921-05-27

Only the slow chisel of time can
carve the truth of history. That which
we debate holly and surround with
words and eagerness and doubts and
disappOintments fades and is forgot
ten. Some simple fact, seldom upon
our tongues and too obvious to be dis
cussed, is left standing against the
horizon.
The beginning Of some such revalua-
ton made itself felt on Memorial day
last year. In the commemoration OF
the day here and abroad there wac a
silent power that all who participated
could not but feel. Tears were nearer
the surface than any one suspected,
memories more poignant. The very
thought Of our dead lying In the soil Of
France, their graves covered with flow
ers by the hands Of French women
and French children, the bugles Of
their French comrades blowing over
them, stirs the deeps Of reverence and
loyalty.
A scene in France, In one Of the
largest cemeteries In which American
soldiers are buried, Is thus beautifully
described:
Scene Most Picturesque.
Beyond the wall masses of purple
lilacs spread against the low red roofs
Of the houses. In the distance few
lazy clouds, in sky of blue, hung about
the old cathedral spires. Bird calls
and scent of flowers filed the air. At
our feet low mounds and white
crosses. Above our heads, at half mast.
the Stars and Stripes.
Monsieur Gounelle, In black cassock,
spoke in French and explained to his
people the meaning of Memorial day.
One felt, instinctively, their sympathy
and love.
Then we laid on every grave spray
of flowers and breathed a prayer for
the absent ones. Each girl felt per-
sonally responsible for each mound In
the row she decorated. How clear the
names on those crosses stood out even
though year had passed!
The French officers laid wreath al
the foot of the flag pole and one OF
them spoke with tenderness Of the he
roes who had gone on. Already there
hung upon the pole lovely wreaths
from the Vile de Chateauroux, from
the French mothers association, and
other local organizations.
The chaplain from the post at Mon
tierchaume addressed us, and ther
three volleys rang out upon the air
the missives winglng their way Ovel
take our place next year, and In all
the years to come. There will be flow
ers upon these graves this year.
Gradually the cemetery became de-
serted except for q few who fingered.
A group Of marines stood about the
grave Of comrade very dear. It's
marker was Of stone and bore these
words: "A true soldier beloved of his
comrades" At one side q lad stood
weeping and told US that 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 memory Of this little
Frenchman."
1t was just the loving kindness of a
kindly people and was thus, no matter
where we went. Pilgrimages to the
cemeteries at Suresness, Chalons,
Fismes. 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 prayer for you as they
drop their flowers upon our graves this
year.
And above those glorious crosses,
wherever they may be, ever floats Old
Glory. as she whispers to the breeze
I called them and they followed;
guard them In their sleep.