Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1924-05-22

responsibilities and ideals.
Half century ago Memorial Day in its begin
nings was 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
scattered to the ends of the earth We, here
at home who can do no BETTER wear peoples 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-M ontfaucon (Meuse) France,
lie 1898 of soldier dead known and identified
and 483 unknown. Loving hands, american and
French, will pay tribute with flowers. And there
will be no dearth Of blossoms In the other over
seas American cemeteries-St Mhiel Somme
OiseAisne Aisne-Marne and Suresnes in France:
Flanders Fields In Belgium, and Brookwood In
England.
Row upon even row they stretch.
white and shining multitude
Line of Crosses the soil of France,
That knew barrier. no breed,
When heroes side by heroes stood.
Said Myron t. Herrick. American Ambassador
to France at the dedication ceremonies last year:
We assembled here we were last year and
in the years before and as will others be in all the
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
men 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
der dead to rest at home in Italy, Ireland Poland
Denmark, Sweden, Scotland Czecho slovakia Nor
way, Finland Sardinia and even China One likes
to think that not one of these far-1ung graves will
be forgotten Memorial Day.
For six years the Graves Registration Service
has been at work. Except for permanent construc~
ton work in the Fields of Honor overseas it's work
is done 1t brought some 10000 soldier dead to
America. Approximately 10000 were 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 die it. Those who picture the
bringing in of the dead of combat organization
as a leisurely occupation performed after fighting
and firing has ceased might turn to the report of
General Pershing describing the fighting of late
April, 1918, and read:
On April 20, Lieutenant Mccormick and his group
arrived at Mandres and began their work under
heavy she'll fire and and although troops
in dugoutS, these men Immediately went to the
cemetery and in order to preserve records and To-
cations, repaired and erected crosses fast
pleted the extension the cemetery this work
occupying a period of and one-half hours, dur
ing which time shells falling continuously
and they subjected to mustard gas. They
hands of the Germans and later retaken by
American counter attacks. Identification
pecially difficult, all and tags having been
removed and most of the bodies being in ter
rible condition and beyond recognition
The other pictures are equally suggestive Of
phases of the observance of Memorial Day. Sure
Nv it is inspirng-the group picture made at the
opening of the Citizens Military Training Camp at
Fort Sam Houston In the center, seated is Gen