Evening star., 1928-05-24
i. S. COAST GUARDS
UNVE|L MEMORIAL
Mellon, Wilbur and Billiard
Speak at Ceremony in Ar
Iington Cemetery.

"Thy way is in the sea and thy path
in the great waters"
With these ancient words craven In
stone to the memory of heroic veterans
lost in the great waters" the United
States Coast Guard yesterday dedi-
Gated in Arlington its World War me-
mortal, to the booming of guns from
ship in the Potomac and the whir
of pigeons wings going home
Tribute to the dead and the ideals
of the living service were paid by the
Secretary of the Treasury. under whose
jurisdiction the Coast Guard operates
in peace; the Secretary of the Navy. un-
der whom 1t functions as part of the
Navy in time of war, and by Rear Ad-
miral Billiard, the commandant of the
Coast Guard.
Prominent as guests of honor were
fathers and mothers and other next
of kin of men who had lost their lives
in the war.
Mellon Gives Address.
"In peace as In war" declared Sec
retary of the Treasury Mellon, ''in
the language which has become tradi-
tional in the service, the Coast Guard
never fails Its business is to serve
the Nation. and 1t does so in a way
that gives heroic quality to its whole
existence. We impose upon 1t many
and varied tasks. Nearly all are diff
ficult and some are far from pleasant.
But the ~oast Guard never refuses to
undertake any duty imposed upon it.
and holds itself always in readiness TO
face any emergency that may arise"
Pointing to the close connection be-
tween the Navy and Coast Guard. Sec
retary Wilbur said lin time Of war
they are one. In time of peace they
separate, so that each can perform the
special duties assigned to 1t, reuniting
in time Of war"
Rear Admiral Billiard. commandant
of the Coast Guard, paid high tribute
to the heroic dead, explaining how they
lost their lives. During the war, he
said, "one of the Coast Guard ships,
the Tampa, sunk by an enemy SUBJ
marine, went down with every officer
and man on board-ll5 In all, whose
names are inscribed on yonder
monument" There were 1872 lost dur
ing the World War
The unveiling Of the memorial fol-
lowed opening music by the United
States Navy Band, Lieut. Charles
Benter conducting prayer By Capt.
c. II. Dickins, chief OF chaplains,
U. s. NJ, and a hymn, 20 God, Our
Help in Ages Past" AS the glittering
white pyramid was unveiled by four
Coast GuardSmen, from the Potomac
came the booming Of a 21-gun national
salute in honor of the dead, fired by
the United States Coast Guard cutter
Apache.
Pigeons Released.
As a simple, symbolic and beautiful
climax to the unyeiling ceremony it.
self, basket of homing pigeons was
brought forward and released. They
circled about above the picturesque set
ting, and then in memory OF the de-
parted spirits OF the heroic dead, went
home" The birds had ,een gathered
from many places by W. F. Dismer of
this city, president of the American
Racing Pigeon Union,
Floral tributes were laid at the foot
oil the monument from many groups
and organizations, including Tampa
Post, American Legion; u. s. s. Seneca.
Coast Guard Academy, destroyer force
League of Coast Guard Women and
many others.
Capt. William J. Wheeler of the
Coast Guard presided, and the PRAYER
Of dedication and benediction was by
RlGht Rev. q. G. r. Bratenahl, dean OF
the Washington Cathedral.
Several members OF the diplomatic
corps were present. headed by Sir Esme
Howard, the British Ambassador.
Following the ceremonies at Airing
ton. the guests Of honor, who are next
Of kin 10 the Coast Guard dead of the
World War, were entertained at tea OIL
board the cutter Tampa by the League
Of Coast Guard Women, of which Mrs
Frederick g. Billiard Is honorary ma
ti0nal president and Mrs r. A. Hume.
well Is president Of The Washington
branch.
The FIVE ships OF the Coast Guard
which were here for the dedication
planned 10 sail today for their various
assignments.