The Dolores star., 1922-05-26
~ yEAE2ERSE EELOS

i'll local storage under constant guard Of American
watclnen. And thus the days work is done
All eyacuatons being completed within that
section, the bodies then removed from the
local storage, and accompanied by conveys and
guards, are taken by rail or river barges, CON
ditiOns allow, to the concentration point for that
particular section
Port ofltc ers maintain all times close liaison
with the field operating unit in order to obvate
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 honoraby discharged American soldiers
Ihe ports chosen shipping bases are: Brest
St NaZaire. Bordeaux, Toulon, Cherbourg. Calais
France; and Antwerp Belgium through which
during last year, 2O0lS bodies returned to
America. Cherbourg has had the greatest number
TO handle, rs evacuation of bode. for return from
areas of Romagne, Thacourt and Beeau all
passed through this port. to the number of 25,OOO
Finally the news comes from one of the six
port thht 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 large gatherings of the popula
lion of the town and guard Of honor, comprising
two or more companies of Freuch soldiers who
come to pay homage dead.
Quickly the news spreads that lies Americans"
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 fun IF flowers waiting to place them
in the care of the guards drop them on the
barges as they slowly pass by. Every honor is
shown both by civil and military France; and so
the journey becomes a triumphal procession of
Americas heroic dead
The port is reached and there its great pier
of the Dead" the bodies are gently laid side by
side, under the watchful care of the military
Honor Siu
detailed from the American forces in Germany
Before II goes on the transport, each shipping
case containing body is carefully gone over to
ascertain if it is in perfect condition for ncaon
transportation.
The tas showing the and address of the
consignee, which has been tackled to the side of
the DoN, is then removed and name and address
senced on the side instead. The port officers
"h" are commissioned officers of army are
present when this stencilling is done the quarter
master general holding them personauv resnon
sible for all discrepancies and inaccuracies Fv-
erythng finished to the satisfaction Of these off
GERS the bodies finally placed on the transport
the warning bell is sounded and the transport
slowly moves away.
The military attachments stand at attention
while their buges salute the dead All flags and
ehslghs OF shipping, or those vessels of the
various naves Of the world, which may be repre-
seIlted In the harbor, lowered as our funeral
ship solemnly passes out, and then begins the
long, last voyage of our soldier dead
simultaneously with the sailing of the tronsnort
cable message bearing the names of the dead
returning speeds on its way to Washington and is
received by the chief of the cemeteral division
who Immediately takes steps to provide that every
care ana attention shall be attendant upon the ar
rival OF tle sacred cargo at the home port
Let us leave for awhile our dead as thev cross
the great Atlantic and let us get a glImnse 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 snared no
effort In making lovely and lasting monuments to
the boys who made the supreme sacrifice Groupds
graceful and majestic, chosen and arranged
with a simple dignity that seems to be eminent,,
fitting for the resting places of the dead
AT the present time only five cemeterfes in
france ana belgium have official approval and
sanction for their permanency, but the advsabiIitv
OF increasing the number Of national cemeteries
abroad Is receiving favorable consideration. n 10
recently mat Ihiacourt has been added to the
number In this cemetery lie SO many Of the men