Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-22

ing his professional duties in q manner most
noteworthy, respected by his brother officers
beloved by the enlisted men and a real friend
to all the civilian communities To take his
part In the conflict Of the Great War he arrived
IN France and joined the American Expedi-
tionary Forces on September 49, 1918. on duty
with the seth Coast Artillery. Shortly after his
arrival overseas Chaplain Easterbrook was
transferred to the headquarters Of the Sd Amer
lean Army on the Rhine. He later was the
senior chaplain Of the American forces in Ger
many, In charge Of all the religious and well
fare activities Of the American troops In
Germany.
THE United States win ever be proud Of her
military representatives on the historical
Rhine. No body Of troops since the days when
Caesars legions built the military road along
the picturesque river from Coblenz and the
famous bridge at Urmitz have equaled the
American soldier in appearance, efficiency and
morals.
Their mission was different from that of any
other army Of occupation. Though they march,
ed into Germany as conquerors and victors In
the worlds greatest conflict, yet their hearts
beat with kindness and charity for q con-
quered race. They sought no conquest nor
spois OF war; no malice nor spirit of revenge
actuated their deeds. They came as real true
friends to broken, dsheartened people whose
horizon Of the future was clouded with s,ls-
lost cause. But within a short time the
German people caught the spirit of the Amer
lean soldier, saw that he desired no glory nor
gain and personal and international brother
hood dispelled all enmity and fired the hearts
Of conquerors and conquered alike
Chaplain EasterbrookS Office was in the head
quarters at Coblenz and his place of worship
was the chapel at the Royal Palace Of the
Kaiser and his staff. He conducted the re-
hgious activities of all the chaplains in Ger
many, and all who came to his Office, soldier
ana civilian alike, were always greeted with
a cordial welcome
During the month of September 1921, he
accompanied the composite battalion of Amer
lean troops to Paris and later to London. to
participate in the ceremonies incident to the
placing OF the Medal of Honor on the Tomb
OF the unknown French Soldier and the Tomb
of the Unknown British Warrior by the gen.
eral OF the Armies, Gen. John J. Pershing.
IN order TO promote a more cordial rela.
tlonship between the allied armies, Chaplain
Easterbrook initiated the conference of all the
chaplains OF the British, French, Belgian and
American armies These conferences gave an
opportunity for an exchange of ideas and
methods OF work among the soldiers and ce-
mented real friendship and fellowship
among the chaplains that still exists
Many and arduous were his duties vet
every problem was settled with tact and
diplomacy. Maj. Gen. H. T. Allen, command
ing general Of the American forces in Ger
many, in commenting upon Chaplain Easter
brook, said: His untiring zeal, broad vision,
intelligence and generosity have made him
eminently successful, throughout career I
have known since 1898 His services in the
American forces in Germany have merited ap-
proval of all classes and creeds." In apprecia-
ton Of his services of the troops of the
French. army of occupation, the government
of France decorated him with the Legion of
Honor.
MANY changes have been brought about
during the more than 80 years that
Col Easterbrook has been connected with the
military service. At the time of his entry
into the service there were approximately rs
chaplains in the entire Army, and they were
to more or less extent, merely tolerated
That this condition of affairs has been radical
ly changed is evidenced by the fact that the
present authorized strength Of the Corps of
Chaplains Is 1875, which includes the chief of
chaplains. In the days of go the duties of
chaplain consisted principally of directing
the religious and moral welfare of the military
personnel, but now the duties of a chaplain
are many and varied, and he is one of the