Evening star., 1945-11-11
BY Carole Arnold.

Armistice Day devotions center today
about the cenotaphs Of the unknown
soldiers In many countries. The ma
jority of Americans are familiar with
the stately sfrines at our own Arlington
National Cemetery, under the Arc de
Triomphe in Paris, and in London's
Westminster Abbey, but few realize to
what extent the idea Of enshrining an
unidentified soldier swept over the coun-
tries which participate in World War I.
Symbol Of the embattled citizenry Of his
country and of the thousands who
through the ages, wars tide caught
unknown and swept away to DOOM an
unidentified soldier, of distinguished or
humble birth, rests in his pantheon in
at least 10 capitals.
This noble idea has been attributed to
two editors, M. CASTOR Vidal of Paris
and Mr.. ]. B. Wilson of London, al
though the records do not show that
either of the two or any other individual
ever attempted to establish the origin Of
this poetic vision. Regardless of its
origin, however, England was the first
country to take ofhcial steps to put it
into execution.
The American Unknown
On November IL, 1921, the American
Unknown Soldier was buried in Airing
ton National Cemetery. Since that day
presidents, foreign emissaries and citi-
zens from every State in the Union, in
paying their respects to him whose body
symbolizes the American spirit of devo-
ton to duty, have read the well-known
inscription carved on the tomb: Here
in honored glory lies an American SOL
dier, known but to God"
Constant watch is kept over this
shrine, the guard being changed every
two hours on the odd hour. The hero
of World War I was not, however, the
first unknown soldier to be buried in
this national cemetery, in which the
first of the Nations soldiers and sailors
were buried in 1864. For many un-
known soldiers were gathered from the
bloody battlefields of Bull Run and the
route of the Rappahanock and were
buried in one huge grave under one
monument. The inscription on this
tomb is: Beneath this stone repose the
bones of two thousand one hundred and
eleven unknown soldiers, gathered after
the war from the fields of Bull Run and
the Route of the Rappahanock. Their
remains could not be identified, but
their names and deaths are recorded in
the archives of their country and its
grateful citizens honor them as of their
noble army of martyrs. May they rest
in peace. Sept. AID. 1885,
Italy's Cenotaph
Among the less familiar of the ceno-
taphs to the worlds unknown soldiers
is that of Italy, one of our Allies in
World War I. In public square, often
the scene during Mussolini's Dictator
ship of parades and cheering crowds,
there Is a magnificent white marble
monument to Victor Emmanuel II, in
front of which is cleaning, gold en-
crusted statue of the ruler, surrounded
by IA female figures representing Italy's
most important cities.
The tomb of Italy's unknown soldier
Is at the base of this monument which
is built of fading stone called
"botticino." In the Church of Santa
Maria da Victoria in Batalha (meaning
"battle'D, Portugal, lies the floor tomb
of the Portuguese unknown soldier. The
church itself and its adjoining monas-
terry were built to commemorate the Sc
1riy IF i,a
1885 following a great victory over in
vading Spaniards.
The tomb is in the church's chapter
house, whose bold vaulted roof is unsup-
ported by pillars. Travellers say that
lamp is always burning above the
shrine, over which a soldier in war he'll
met stands constant guard. One writer
indicates that two unknown Portuguese
soldiers are buried in this church, one
from the French front and one from the
African.
Canada's Shrine
Our neighbor to the north buried
Canadas unknown soldier in front of
the slim graceful Peace Tower of her
Parliament Buildings. Music from the
towers So bells, ranging in size from 10
pounds to 10 tons. adds to the charm of
the soldiers last resting place. 1t is in
the large, open court surrounding the
tomb that Canada honors those who
gave the last full measure of devotion
for freedom.
The Greeks, historic lovers of liberty,
-Rv DicL Mancfie1d