The Mankato free press., 1921-12-23

Gus were TAKEN away 10 De re- luLeI
red in Romaigne cemetery. Later
the flag draped casket of Americas
unknown was removed to the city
hall, which was decorated with
American flowers and flags, and from
the gilded dome floated the American
flag at halfmast. The cluster of white
roses which Sergeant Younger used
in making the selection were the
only flowers left on the casket, al
though it was surrounded with flow
ers. October 25, the unknown was
taken to Havre, France, and placed
on the Olympia, which displayed both
the French and American flags at
half mast. Two French destroyers
escorted the Olympia out to sea. The
naval salute given, and returned by
the Olympia and she was on her
way with her precious burden. A
Atlantic and welcomed home by a
small fleet of American war ships
which acted as escort into Chesa-
peake bay. From there a naval de-
stroyer, escorted the Olympia up the
Potomac river to Washington. Dur
ing the voyage the casket occupied
prominent place on the lower deck
and was guarded every moment by
four bluejackets. Near the casket
was placed a large box of earth,
taken from the American cemetery
casket in Arlington. On the high
seas the Olympia was saluted most
reverently by all steamships and sail
ing vessels which she passed The
highest honor that was paid the dn-
known was when President Harding
placed the congressional medal Of
honor on the casket. To gain this
medal action must be so extreme that
but very few have an opportunity to
compete for 1t. He must have per-.
formed a feat in action, distinguished
himself by intrepidity at the risk of
his life. The greatest emblem of all,
the greatest decoration of the great
est nation, the hardest to gain be-
cause its requirements are the high
est, is the congressional medals Of
honor of the United States. The first
man in the history of the world who
determined to award a medal or
taken for gallantry and personal
bravery was George Washington. He
issued an order stipulating that when
man performed an act of individ-
the order of the purple heart. The
decoration was heart shaped made
of purple silk cloth and worn on the
left facing Of the coat. 1t was the first
decoration in the worlds history for
individual gallantry in action. Wash
ington said: "Men thus decorated
should receive the homage of all man
kind" Washington's example was fol-
lowed by Nopoleon Bonaparte, who
established the order of the Legion
of Honor. In 1913 Prussia establish
<6~
poor that the medals had to be made
of iron. After the Crimean war Queen
Victoria realized the need of award
ing medal of honor in recognition
of deeds of valor and thereby estab-
lished the award of the Victoria cross
There are fifty three living holders
of the congressional medal of honor
awarded to our boys in the Gyorld war
In honor of the unknown soldier and
in welcome to the delegates in the dis
armament conference which was to
bathed the city of Washington on
the evening of November II, and the
two following evenings. A beautiful
jeweled portal or archway was erect
ed near the entrance to the building
to be used by the disarmament con-
ference. The two obelisks or Cleo
patra's needles being each eighty
five feet high and Sc IL feet apart.
Suspended between these obelisks
was a jeweled necklace on the pen
dant of which was inscribed the nag
and coat of arms of the eight foreign
nations represented here to attend
the disarmament conference. From
this jeweled portal shone forth 49,
600 novagems. Thousands of these
hand cut Austrian crystals, some two
inches in diameter, not only decorat-
ed the necklace, but also spangled
from each Of the shafts or obelisks.
Each jewel was on slender support
and moved with the slightest breeze.
Twas wonderful spectacle to be-
hold. At the base Of each obelisk
burning which added great beauty
and charm to the scene. This effect
was produced by steam arising at
those points and colored searchlights
thrown upon the same Even the
tops of trees and shrubbery all about
looked as though full of beautifully
>colored flowers as result of the col
ored screens thrown over the search
lights. Seventeenth street was H.
lumined for four blocks, thus max
ing the Avenue Of Light" leading up
was the center of the illumination.
Stationed at the base of the Washing
ton monument were many powerful
searchlights BY their detected light
all the colors of the rainbow, each al
ternating with black, shot vertically
from its base to its top Again the
monument stood out like great
lighthouse and from the windows at
its top, powerful searchlights threw
their rays to the capitol, white house,
and Lincoln memorial. When the
flood of light was first turned on by
the president at s. p. m. it was from
the base of this monument that the
presidents salute of twenty one guns
was given. Back of the capitol. and
with the dome Of the capitol as its
center, an aurora borealis reflected
the Light Of the States" spreading
its beautifully colored rays upward
and outward. This spectacular sight
was visible for many miles around
and was made possible by twenty
four powerful searchlights, some Of
eight million candle power, each
stationed at the base OF the congress
sienal library. Colored screens were
placed over these lights, thus giving
coloring to the same. The disarma-
ment conference Is held In continen-
tai memorial hall on Seventeenth
street. At Its opening November IL
Mr.. Clague attended and was there
when Secretary Hughes exploded the
bomb which was heard around the
world. At the memorial aall all ar
ranged are the nine flags represent
ing the nine nations in affendanco ar