Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-10


are buried This is especially true this year,
inasmuch the pilgrimages of these gold star
mothers and widows to the graves OF the nero
dead in France, Belgium and England, at the
expense of the United States Government, viii
begin in the Spring.
Just before the Seventeen Congress adjourned
last March it passed law enabling the mothers
and unmarried widows of our hero dead who
have not previously visited the graves of their
sons and husbands in Europe to do so without
expense to themselves Under the law the
visits will be made at such times between May
so, $780, and october 81, 1885, as may be
designated by the Secretary of War.
An amendment to the gold star mother law
extending the time of their visit to october,
1884. in order to give these mothers and widows
an opportunity to see all cemeteries, chapels
and monuments when fully completed, is now
before Congress. Another bill is pending to
take care of the mothers not included in the
original bill so to make it possible for all
mothers of service men to share in the benefit
of the law-to include all mothers Of soldiers
who died at sea or were buried overseas.
Soon after the war the Federal Government
established eight national cemeteries in
Europe-one in England, not far from London;
one in Belgium and six in France. Nowhere
else in the world can cemeteries be found more
beautiful, more restful, more thoroughly cared
for Flowers trees and shrubbery laid out by
scape gardeners and nutured with tender
care lend a quiet beauty to these final resting
places of our hero dead. The American flag
symbol of the glorious tradition which inspired
these men in life to offer themselves in their
country's cause floats in silent tribute over the
graves. At each cemetery is. an American care
taker, himself veteran OF the war, one who
knows through what these men went and whose
heart is in his work. In addition to his other
duties he extends a welcome to those who come
to the cemetery seeking information and aids
them in locating individual graves or obtaining
other desired information.
THE wooden grave markers originally erected
- in these cemeteries have been replaced py
white marble headstones-a cross for those Of
the Christian faith, shield of David for those
of Jewish faith. On these headstones are
engraved the name, rank, organization and date
of death of the hero as well as the State from
which he came. These headstones are more
than 3 feet high and stand as individual and
imperishable monuments to those who gave
their lives. Here and there Is grave of one
who remains unknown, the headstone bearing
the inscription, Here rests in honored glory
an American soldier known but to God"
Because thousands of gold star mothers and
widows are planning to take advantage of the
generosity of the Government and visit the
national cemeteries abroad during the next
few years. there is, quite naturally, deep interest
as to what progress has been made on the
memorial chapels which are being erected in
the cemeteries by the American Battle Monu-
ments Commission, of which Gen.. John J.
Pershing is chairman.
These memorial chapels are imposing struc-
lures, having been designed by of the
most prominent architects in the United States
and the designs approved by the National Com
mission of Fine Arts. The chapels will be
monumental in nature, beautiful, restful and
impressive. They will be sanctuaries where
the relatives of our hero dead may go for
shelter. meditation and prayer. On the walls
of the chapels will be inscriptions to the men
who gave their lives. They win also bear indi-