The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1922-05-27
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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 ana
guards are taken by rail or river barges as con-
dtions allow, to the concentration point Tor tnat
particular section.
Port officers maintain at all times q close liaison
with the field operating unit in order to obviate
Misunderstanding to prevent delays and to per-
NIT satisfactory and definite plans being mace IN
sufficient time for sailing. These concentration
points under the personal and constant super
vision Of commissioned officers and watchmen VINO
are honorably discharged American soldiers.
The ports chosen as shipping bases are: Brest.
st. Nazaire Bordeaux, TOulOn, CherbOurg, Calais.
France; and Antwerp, Belgium. through whlcn,
during last year. 2O918 bodies were returned to
America Cherbourg has had the greatest number
to handle as evacuation of bodies for return from
areas of Romagne Thiacourt and Belleau all
passed through this port to the number OF 25.OOO
Finally the comes from one of the six
portT that the transport is ready for Its precious
cargo Officers, conveys and guards then place
the dead special French trains or barges which
have been draped with American flags. Depart
ure is taken amid large gatherings of the popula-
ton Of the town and 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 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
" 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 on the
barges as they slowly pass by. Every honor Is
shown both by civil and military France; and so
the journey becomes trfumphal procession OF
Americas heroic dead.
The port Is reached and there on its great "Pier
of the Dead" the bodies are gently laid side by
side. under the watchfu care Of the military
"Guard Of Honor" comprising company or men
detailed from the American forces in Germany.
BEFORE It 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
oonsionee which has been tackled to che 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
nresent when this stencng is done. the quarter
master general holding them personally respon-
sihle for all discrepancies and inaccuracieI Ev-
orvthing finished to the satisfaction of these off,
cors the bodies are finally placed on the transport
the warning bell is sounded and the transport
slowly moves away.
The military attachments stand at Attention
while their bugles salute the dead. All flags ana
ensgns of shipping, or those on vessels OF the
onted in the harbor, are lowered as our funeral
chin solemnly passes out. and then begins the
Iong last voyage of soldier dead.
simultaneously with the sailing OF the transport
o cable message bearing the names OF the dead
roturning speeds on its way to Washington and Is
oivod nv the chief of the cemeterial division,
who Immediately takes steps to provide that every
ora and attention shall be attendant upon the ar
to, of the sacred cargo at the home port.
Tot ne leave for awhile our dead as they cross
tho GREAT Atlantic and let us get glimpse OF
Tho 6elds of honor in whose beautiful, broad. white
oros will repose for all time those whose nearest
80 lin desire that they shall stay sleeping In
Eronce The guartermaster corps has spared nc
effnrt in making lovely and lasting monuments to
tho bovs who made the supreme sacrifice. Grounds
GRACEFUL and ma estic were chosen and arranged
n,ith n simple dignity that seems to be eminentiy
string for the resting places of the dead
Ar the present time. only five cemeteries In
FRANCE and Bekxium have official approval anc
sanction for their permanently but the visibility
- increasing the number of national cemeteries
abroad is receiving favorable consideration; II i:
recently that Thiacourt has been added to tht
number In this cemetery lie so many Of the mel