The Idaho recorder., 1922-05-26
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in local storage under constant guard of American
watchmen. And thus the days work is done.
All excavations being completed within that
section the bodies are then removed from the
local storage. and accompanied by conveys and
guards, taken by rail or river barges, as con-
ditons allow, to the concentration point for that
particular section.
Port officers maintain at all times close aison
with the field operating unit In order to obvate
misunderstanding, to prevent delays, and to per-
NIT 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. 2091S bodies were returned to
America. Cherbourg has had the greatest number
to handle, evacuation Of bodies for return from
areas of Romagne Thiacourt and Belleau all
passed through this port, to the number Of 25.0O0
Finally the comes from one of the six
ports 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 large gatherings of the popula
tion of the town and guard of honor comprising
two more companies of French soldiers who
come to pay homage to our dead.
Quickly the news spreads that lies Americans"
are taking their dead heroes home and all along
the line of the journey many 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 are waiting to place them
In the OF the guards or drop them on the
barges as they slowly pass by. Every honor Is
shown both by civil and military France; and
the journey becomes Il triumphal procession of
Americas heroic dead.
The port Is reached and there on Its great "Pier
of the Dead" the bodies gently laid side by
side under the watchfu OF the military
Guard of Honor" comprising company of men
detailed from the American forces In Germany.
Before 1t goes the transport, each shipping
case containing "A body Is carefullt gone to
ascertain II 1t 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
stencllled on the side instead, The port officers
who commissioned officers of army. are
present when this stencilng Is done the quarter
master general holding them personally reSpon-
sible for all discrepancies and inaccuracies. Ev-
erythng finished to the satisfaction of these Off
GERS the bodies finally placed the transport
the warning bell Is sounded aud the transport
slowly moves away
The military attachments stand at Attention"
while their bugles salute the dead. All flags and
ensigns Of shipping, those vessels Of the
various navieS Of the world. which may be repre-
sented In the harhor. are lowered as our funeral
ship solemny passes out. and then begins the
long last voyage OF our soldier dead.
simultaneously with the sailing of the transport
cable message bearing the names OF the dead
returning speeds on It's way to Washington and Is
received by the chief OF the cemeterlal 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 they cross
the great Atlantic and let get II glimpse Of
the fields Of honor in whose beautiful broad white
. will repose for all time those whose nearest
, OF kin desire that they shall stay sleeping in
D France. The quartermaster corps has spared ne
D effort In making lovely and lasting monuments to
the boys who made the supreme sacrifice. Grounds
graceful aud majestic. were chosen and arranged
: with simple dignity that seems to be eminently
httng for the resting places OF the dead.
b At the present time. only Ave cemeteries IL
France and Belgium have Official approval anC
sanction for their permanency but the advsabilit,
$ Of increasing the number OF national cemeteries
r abroad Is receiving favorable consideration; Il Il
recently that Thiacourt has been added TO thu
number. In this cemetery lie many Of the mel