Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-05-25
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Ia local storage under constant guard OF American
wutchmeu. And thus the days work Is done.
AL evacuations being completed within that
section the bodies are then removed from the
local storage, and accompanied by conveys and
guards, are taken by rail- river barges. as con-
ditons allow, to the concentration point for that
particular section
Port officers maintain at all times q close liaison
with the field operating unit In order to obviate
Observation-Disclosures to prevent delays, and to per-
init satisfactory and definite plans being made In
sufficient time for sailing These concentration
points are under the personal and constant super
vision Of commissioned officers and watchmen who
are honorably discharged American soldiers.
The ports chosen as shipping bases are: Brest.
st. Nazaire. Bordeaux. Toulon, Cherbourg. Calais
France; and Antwerp Belgium, through which,
during last year, 2O,01S bodies were returned to
America. Cherbourg has had the greatest number
to handle. evacuation Of bOdie. for return from
areas Of Romagne. Thacourt and Belleau all
passed through this port, to the number of 25.OOO
Finally the news comes from Of the six
port1 that the transport Is ready for Its precious
cargo Officers. conveys and guards then place
the dead on special French trains or barges which
have been draped with American flags. Depart
ure Is taken amid lnrge gatherings Of the pOpula-
tion Of the town and Il guard Of honor, comprising
two or more companies Of French soldiers who
come to pay homage to our dead.
Quickly the news spreads that lies Americaipsr
are taking their dead heroes home. and all along
the line Of the journey many are waiting. Priests
are there and these men Of God gently and loving
ly chant the prayers for the dead. while children
with arms full Of flowers waiting to place them
in the care Of the guards or drop them the
barges as they slowly pass by. Every honor Is
shown both by civil and military France; and so
the Journey becomes triumphal procession Of
Americas heroic dead.
The port Is reached. and there its great "Pier
of the Dead the bodies gently laid side by
side, under the watchful care Of the military
Guard Of Honor" comprising a company of men
detailed from the American forces in Germany.
Before 1t goes on the transport. each shipping
case containing body Is carefully gone over to
ascertain If it is in perfect condition for ocean
transportation
The tag showing the name and address of the
consignee. which has been tackled to the side of
the box, Is then removed and name and address
stencilled on the side instead. The port officers
who are commissioned officers of our army are
present when this stencing is DONE the quarter
master general holding them personally respon-
sible for all discrepancies and inaccuracies. Ey-
erythng finished to the satisfaction of these off,
GERS the bodies are finally placed the transport
the warming bell is sounded and the transport
slowly moves away. ,sii'-4;5,.s,' = IT.
The military attachments stand at "Attention"
while their buges salute the dead. All flags and
ensigns Of shipping those on vessels Of the
various navies Of the world, which may be repre-
ship solemnly passes out and then begins the
long last voyage OF our soldier dead. ss4.
simultaneously with the sailing Of the transport
cable message bearing the names Of the dead
returning speeds on its way to Washington and is
received by the chief of the cemeterial division
who Immediately takes steps to provide that every
care and attention shall be attendant upon the ar
rival Of the sacred cargo at the home port.
Let us leave for. awhile our dead as they cross
the great Atlantic and let us get a glimpse of
the fields Of honor In whose beautiful broad white
acres will repose for all time those whose nearest
Of kin desire that they shall stay sleeping In
France. The quartermaster corps has spared no
effort in making lovely and lasting monuments to
the boys who made the supreme sacrince Grounds
graceful and majestic, were chosen and arranged
with simple dignity that seems to be eminently
fitting for the resting places Of the dead.
i A. the present time only i've cemeteries in
France and Belgium have ofacial approval and
sanction for their permanency but the advisability
Of increasing the number Of national cerneterfss
abEuad ~ recelvtng favorable consideration: II Il
recently that ThiacouFt has been added to the
nQWhle. In this camafarx LIE 70 usnx n& a. -