, 1922-05-25
WAAnDETHXZD

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, are taken by rail or river barges, as con-
ditions allow, to the concentration point for that
particular section.
Port officers maintain at all times a close liaison
with the field operating unit in order to obviate
MISUNDERSTANDING, 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 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, 20,91S 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.O0O.
Finally the news comes from one of the six
porte 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-
ton of the town and a 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 tnere, ana these men OF GOu gently and loving
~ chant the prayers for the dead. while children
with arms full Of flowers are 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 Il triumphal 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 watchful care Of the military
Guard Of Honor" comprising a company Of men
1afnf1aH from thu Atnarfrur, f,-.aa L., n4.,..-
Before it goes on the transport, each shipping
case containing a body is carefully gone over to
ascertain If it is In perfect condition for ocenn
transportation.
The tag showing the name and address of the
c%onsignee which has been tackled to the 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
present when this stencilling is done. the quarter
master general holding them personally respon-
sible for all discrepancies and inaccuracies. Ev-
erythIng finished to the satisfaction OF these OFF,
GERS. 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. An flags and
enslgns OF shipping. or those on vessels OF the
various navies OF the world. which may be repre-
sented in the harbor. are 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 transport.
a cable message bearing the names of the dead
returning speeds on its way to Washington and Is
received by the chief of the cemeterial division.
who Immediately takes steps to provide that every
care and attention shall he attendant upon the ar
rival Of the sacred cargo Mt the home port.
Let us leave for awhile our dead as they cross
the great Atlantic and let us get a glimpse 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 spared no