The Colorado statesman., 1924-05-24

responsibilities and new ideals
Half century ago Memorial Day In Its begin
nings American holy day, for our soldier
dead lay here at home Memorial Day In 1924 will
be observed the world over for our soldier dead
are scattered to the ends of the earth We, here
at home, who can do better, wear poppies in
their honor and entrust to other hands the strew-
ing Of blossoms "Over There"
In the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, No.
1892, Romagne- sous -Montfaucon (Nfeuse) France
lie 1888 of our soldier dead known and Identified
and 4S3 unknown. Loving hands, American and
French, will pay tribute with flowers. And there
will be no dearth Of blossoms in the other over
American cemeterles-St. Mlhlel Somme
Oise-Aisne Aisne-A Marine and Suresnes in France:
Flanders Fields in Belgium, and Brookwood In
England.
upon they stretch
white and shining multitude;
Line of Crosses the or France,
To mark the plighted brotherhood
When heroes side by heroes stood.
Said Myron r. Herrick American Ambassador
to France at the dedication ceremonies last year:
We are assembled here last year and
in the years before and will others in all the
years to come. TO do honor to the who died in
France in defense of our honor and the worlds
liberty.
Diverse indeed were the tongues and races that
made up the A. E. f. In life Americas fighting
came from the ends of the earth. In death
they lie as far-scattered. Uncle Sam, responsive
to the call of bereaved hearts has sent these SOL
dler dead to at home in Italy, Ireland Poland
Denmark, Sweden, Scotland, Czechoslovakia Nor
way. Finland, Sardinia and China One likes
to think that not one of these farhung graves will
he forgotten on Memorial Day
For six years the Graves Registration Service
has been at work. Except for permanent construc-
ton in the Fields of Honor overseas It's yorl,
is done. 1t brought 10000 soldier dead to
America Approximately 10000 concentrated
in the American cemeteries overseas, and 700 were
sent to foreign countries
A colossal WORK and well performed Let us do
honor to those who did 1t. Those who picture the
bringing in of the dead of Il combat organization
as a leisurey occupation performed after fighting
and firing has ceased, might turn TO the report of
General Pershing describing the fighting of late
April, 1913, and read:
on April 90 Lieutenant Mccormick and his group
arriv ed Mandres and began their work under
heavy shell fire and gas; and although troops
in dugouts, these Immediately went to the
cemetery and in order to preserve records
cations. repaired and erected new
as the old blown down They also COM
peted the extension to the cemetery, this
occupying a period of and one-half hours, dur
ing which time shells falling continuously
subjected to mustard
gathered many bodies which had been first in the
hands of the Germans and later retaken by
American counter attacks Identification
pecially difficult, all papers and tags having been
removed of the bodies being N a ter
rlble condition and beyond recognition
The other pictures equally suggestive of
phases Of the observance of Memorial Day. Sure
ly 1t is insplring-the group picture made at the
opening of the Citizens Military Training Camp at
Fost Gam Houston In the center seated Is Gen