Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1922-05-26
(Historian


United States, the last of the 44418 of those
Americans who will be buried in the homeland
About $4,000 more will sleep forever overseas, &C
cording to the desires of their next of kin.
At this time it is fitting to tell our people just
how America has been returning to the bosom of
their native land the mortal remains Of thousands
of her sons who followed the flag
Into that realm where battle flags are fur1ed
And drums throb longer
This sacred duty under the direction of Major
General H. L. Rogers, quartermaster general of
the army, is performed by the graves registration
service through the cemeterial division and the
efficient, sympathetic and reverent manner in
which it is done has been a source Of satisfaction
to every one.
That one may visualize the work involved
cts methods and operations in preparing our sol
der dead for the last journey-we will endeavor
to draw picture which will show, step by step,
how this has been accomplished.
Early morning sun finds the field operating units
ready for the days work and with trucks con-
tanning all materials necessary-tools, implements,
Caskets and shipping boXes-they start on their
way TO the sacred regions where lie soldier
dead Each unit has it's corps of highly-special-
ICED and technical men in mortuary affairs Gem
balmers, undertakers and technical assistants) to
perform this service. The working squads or la
borers are composed chiefly of ex-seryice men.
Guards and watchmen attached to each unit
are also discharged American soldiers, and during
the time that the bodies are under the jurisdiction
Of operating units, this guard is constantly
duty over them. A commissioned officer filling
dual capacity of commanding officer and inspector
is in command of each unit.
Once at the graves, excavating is commenced.
When the bodies are reached, only one is al
lowed be lifted to the surface of the ground at
a time, in order that possible chance will be
taken in confusing identities. This is require
ment rgidly adhered to. The outer wrapping of
fhp bOdv IS q iS mad fort
fcaton tags and marks; when found they are Sc
curey fastened to the remains; the body is then
wrapped in a new, clean blanket.
The Identification disk and long narrow strip
ST aluminium showing name, rank and organiza-
tion taken from the cross or star which marked
tie grave is pinned to the blanket over the chest
Of the dead. Tenderly lifting and placing the body
In metallic eontainer is the next step, using
soft fiat cushions as padding to hold the body
steady; after this soft, clean sheet is carefully
tucked in, further insuring against the shifting
of the body during transportation.
After this the metallic container is placed in.
Its silk-lined casket of chestnut wood or oak and
it. too,) is securely fastened; across the head of
the lid is attached a narrow aluminium strip show
ing the name, serial number rank and organiza-
ton of the soldier and the number of the grave
and cemetery from which the body taken
The casIet is then placed in the shipping box
which has been secured by the blocks of white
wood or chestnut, covered with white plush to
prevent marrng or scratching the casket
Name, rank and organization is then stenciled
on each end Of the shipping case A tag giving
the name and address of the consignee is tackled
TO the side, and the whole box is enveloped with
our fag which remains until the body is placed
on the transport for sailing
The sun sinking low in the West sees all bodies
which have been exhumed entirely prepared for
shipment, for this is another requirement which
Is rigidly adhered to- The bodies are then placed