The Washington times., 1921-11-11
"The Unknown"
and
Other Heroes
lBy Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker
American Ace of Aces.

Copyright issi by the christy walsh
To one who has seen companions
Laughing, iovable boys-suddenly
blasted through space. in q horri-
BILE burst OF flame and shell. the
solemn services at Arlington today
signify something deeper than a
ritual and a wreath OF tribute.
The embers OF sorrow. subdued
In the frantic whiri OF civic life.
are stirred and revived. The happy
recollections of devoted friendship
are vividly renewed as these cour-
ageous characters seem TO meet
you face TO face. realistically and
startling.
Devoted friendships they truly
were. Many and invaluable are
the friends OF normal life; but to
go through months and months
with good and loyal pals. eating
and smoking and living together:
swapping humor and exchanging
condolences; reading aloud comfort
ing letters from home: fighting the
fight together. and. alas. another
day. pausing and choking back the
tears at the spot where one Of
them has just been laid-all this
cements and glorifies friendship be-
yond the ordinary meaning of the
word.
Left Smiling Buddies.
And such are the memories that
American boys this day. For they
the doughboy. the marine. the
fearless sailor lad-they are indeed
the true. though silent mourners
for this unknown hero.
They who have left smiling bud
dies-Jack and Bill and Jim-left
them by the thousand sleeping
heroiCally in the hallowed soil OF
France. This hero is unknown so
far as official Identification is
concerned. His willing and cour-
aseOus body. mutilated by the raw
ages Of war. may defy all the
scientific methods Of identified tion,
but his comradcship. his manner.
perhaps rough but generous, per-
haps full OF harmless mischief and
irresponsible pep: his devotion to
duty and to his comrades. all these
traits We're known and beloved by
those who went through II with
him.
Spirit Of His Group.
One short hour before he gave
his life. this unknown hero was.
undoubtedly, the life and spirit OF
his little group Of fighting com.
rades; stoical, in the face of de-
struction. fearless at the sight Of
devastation. and cheerful in the
grip Of hardship. for that was the
substance Of the American soldier
ss l saw him at st. Michel. and
in France; always ready to do the
other fellows job. ever disclaiming
the honors and decorations that
came to many Of us. more fortu.
nate, but frequently less worthy
than these immortal heroes whose
glorious names perished with their
lives.
One Common Prayer.
From what rank or branch he
came, we do not know. 1t is bet.
ter and swceter that it were so.
for out of every great city and
every humble village, the voice OF
America is blended into one COM
mon prayer of gratitude TO Ameri-
cas- honored dead, symbolized in
this silent representative at Arling-
Ton. Who bears neither name nor
rank nor record.
The Chief Executive Of the land,
who even at the moment strives to
prevent the coming of future strife.
and another unknown hero, bows
in humility at the guarded bier.
His predecessor, physically broken
by the same ordeal that thrust
this silent lad into eternity, adds
his presence and his tribute to the
cials Of the land do likewise:
tons now assembled at our Capital
contribute their evidence Of re-
spect and gratitude; and the ordi-
nary citizen on the street through.
out America Is asked to stand in
silence at the strike Of noon.
Foreign to His Spirit.
How inspiring all this, and yet,
the thought occurs to me. how
strange and foreign to the spirit
Of this unknown hero. How little
in his simple and rugged life did
he seek such honors and such
splendor; how remote from his
mind were thoughts OF praise and
adulation.
His happiness in life was In CIV
ing others happiness. In extending
helping hand to the weaker com.
rade. in doing something for his
buddy while he lived-not after his
name was among the missing.
This laudible demonstration at
the Nations Capital is indeed the
rightful expression of grateful
people, but II we are not to stop
with today's outward expression,
let us perpetuate this gratitude by
our conduct toward the living re-
minders left us by this unknown
hero, and above all by our tender
care of those who patiently endure
the life OF the MANNED and helpless.
Throughout America for years "a
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