The Raymer enterprise. (New Raymer, Weld County, Colo.) 1910-19??, 1922-05-25
BY JESSIE DELL,
@NR az WT 2N0"

BY JESSIE DELL,
OH'ssorsn. ousrermas,er Corps United States Arrnyb
INV THE qunrtermaster corps OF the
United States army has fallen the
rcyerent task OF bringing home the
soldier dead, returned for burial
der the stars and stripes.
MN On March 10 last, the army trans
NZDy2M port Cambria reached New York with
nv pM l.224 fag-draped collins. With her
M NH arrival the solemn duty OF the quar-
No. ~lE1 ternaster corps OF returning the bod
M3pG(SS3 les Of those who fell In France. was
VA&yE practically completed
50 W There are left over seas now only
325 bodies to be brought back to the
United States, the last OF the i44lS OF those
Americans who will be buried In the homeland
About $1,000 more will sleep forever overseas, nc
eordlng 10 the desires Of their next OF kin
At this time II 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 sons who followed the flag
Into that realm where battle nass ar. furisd
And war drums throb no longer
This sacred duty under the direction OF Major
General ii. l.. Rogers, Quartermaster general OF
the army. h performed by the graves registration
service through the cemeteria division and the
efficient, sympathetic and reverent manner In
TO every one.
That one may visualize the work involved
It's 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,
bow this has been accomplished.
Early morning sun finds the field operating units
rendy for the days work and with trucks
tanning all materials necessary-tools implements
caskets and shipping boxes-they start on their
way to the sacred regions where lie our soldier
dead Each unit has its corps Of highly.speciai-
lied aud technical men In mortuary affairs (em-
balmcrs, undertakers and technical assistants) to
perform this service, The working squads or la.
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 under the Jurisdiction
Of operating units this guard Is constantly on
duty over them. commissioned officer filling
dual capacity Of commanding officer and Inspector
Ia In command Of each unit.
Once at the graves, excavatlng Is commenced.
When the bodies are reached only one Is nj.
lowed to be lifted to the surface OF the ground at
time. In order that no possible chance will be
taken In confusing identifies This is a require
ment rlgdy adhered to. The outer whipping Of
the body Is removed and search Is made for IdentI.
Gcatlon tags and marks; when found they are Sc.
curely fastened to the remains; the body Is then
wrapped In q new. clean blanket.
The Identification disk and long narrow strlp
Of aluminium, showing name. rank and orgnniza.
ton. taken from the cross or star which marked
The grave Is pinned to the blanket over the chest
N the dead. Tendery lifting and pacing the body
In metallic container Is the next STEP using
soft. fat cushions padding to hold the body
steady: after this soft. clean sheet Is carefully
tucked In, further lnsurng against the shifting
Of the body during transportation.
After this the metallic contaner 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.
tiop Of the soldier, and the number OF the grave
and cemetery from which the body was taken.
The casket u then placed In the shipping box,
which has been secured by the blocks Of white
wood or chestnut covered with white plush to
prevent marring or scratching the casket.
Name, rank and organisation Is then stencled
On each end Of the shipping case. tag giving
the name and address Of the consignee Is tackled
% the side and the whole box Is enyeloped with
eur has which remains until the body ID placed
= ~ transpsrt for sailing.
1He IN blnkiag low In the West sees all bodies
800 have been sxhumed entirely prepared for
.ain,nent sor this q another requirement which
= 1900 adhsesd n. The bodies are then placed