Cheyenne Wells record., 1922-05-25
BY JESSIE DELL.

BY JESSIE DELL,
<Hsterisa- ouarssmsster corps United States Army.D
@<O THE quartermaster corps of the
United States army has fallen the
reveren. task of bringing home the
soldier dead. returned for burial un-
der the stars and stripes.
~EhN On March 30 lnst the army trans
AESsNM port Cambrai reached New York with
Nlp SNA 1224' fag-draped coffins. With her
t0M M arrival. the solemn duty Of the quar-
S. GE termaster corps of returning the bod
ijM9NNfX les Of those who fell In France. was
4 NNHSS& practically completed.
S w There are left over now only
s25 bodies to be brought back to the
Omitted States. the last OF the 44.IlS of those
Americans who will lie buried In the homeland.
About 5000 more will sleep forever overseas
eosdng to the desires of their next Of kin.
At this time 1t Is fitting to tell our people just
bow America has been returning to the bosom Of
their native land the mortal remains Of thousands
Of her who followed the flag
Asd drums throb no longer
This sacred duty, under the direction Of Major
General II. L Rogers, quartermaster general Of
.ths army. is performed by the graves registration
service through the cemeteria division, and the
sMicent. sympathetic and reverent manner In
which 1t is done has been source Of satisfaction
TO every one. e -
That one may visualize the work involved
it, methods and operations! in preparing our SOL
der dead for the last 1ourney-we will endeavor
to draw a picture which will show. step by step.
bow this has been accomplished.
Early morning sun finds the field operating units
ready for the days work and with trucks con-
taining all materials necessary-tools implements
easkets and shipping boxes-they start on their
way to the sacred regions where lie soldier
dead. Each unit has its corps Of highly-special-
lied and technical men In mortuary affairs (en-
balmers. undertakers and technical assistants) to
perform this service. The working squads or Ia
borers are composed chiefly of ex-service 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 on
duty over them. commissioned officer filing
dual capacity of commanding officer and Inspector
q in command Of each unit. tf @
Once at the graves excavating is commenced
When the bodies are reached, only one ia al
lowed to be lifted to the surface Of the ground at
Q time. In order that no possible chance will be
taken In confusing Identities. This is require
nent rgldly adhered to. The outer wrapping of
the body Is removed and search Is made for identi-
ncation tags and marks; when found they are Sc
eurely fastened TO the remains; the body is then
wrapped In now, clean blanket
The Identification disk and long narrow strip
VI aluminium, showing name, rank and orRaniza-r
don, taken from the cross star which marked
the grave Ia pinned to the blanket over the chest
u the dead. TenderIy lifting and placing the body
IN metallic container Is the next step, using
SOFT fat cushions as padding to hold the body
Steady; after this soft, clean sheet is carefully
tucked In. further insurng against the shifting
Of the body during transportation.
After this the metallic cOntainer Is placed in
It, 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-
don Of the soldier, and the number of the grave
and cemetery from which the body was taken.
Ths casket Is then placed in the shipping box,
which has been secured by the blocks of whito
wood or chestnut, covered with white plush to
prsvent marring or scratching the casket.
Name. rank and organization 10 then stenciled
So each end Of the shipping case. A tag giving
he name and address q! the conidsnss Il tackled
y the sdA .an4 the vholss bdA 3 saysiopsd wtti,
ear dag. ShtcR remaln nitif ~ bedyi 4 placed
% the transport for sailing
The sun sinking low In the West sees all bodies
which have bsen exhumed entizSly prepared for
shipment, Tor tim = another rsqufrsmsot which
y ngtdiy adhered 10. Tha bodies are then placed