The Chronicle-star combined with the Moss Point advertiser., 1946-11-08

age age is SO. Statisticians of
the Veterans Administration
estimate that rs years hence
in l97l--about 1,257,000 of these
veterans still will be living.
To them and their families,
Nov. ii will be a memorable
date.
Armistice Day is a legal holi-
day in all of the states and the
District of Columbia and in the
territories and possessions. We
and VI days have not yet
been widely established as holt
days. Moreover, there is some
difference of opinion as to the
exact date to be fixed as Vic
tory Day for World War II.
The American Legion has
urged that Aug. IA, the date
the Japanese accepted Presi-
dent Truman's surrender terms,
be proclaimed as Victory Day
for World War II, a counter
part of Armistice Day for
World War l. The Veterans
of Foreign Wars have advocat-
ed setting aside > single Victory
Day but have not stipulated
the date.
Not Officially Over
To The men who fought in
Europe Nav 8 (V-E Day) was
the big day of the recent war
although it did not mark the
end of global fighting. Some
people regard Sept l, date of
the formal surrender Of the
Japanese to General MacAr-
thur, as VI Day and the most
appropriate single Victory Day
for the entire war.
Congress and the President
prescribe holidays for the Dis
trict of Columbia but not for
the states. The latter fix their
own holidays but usually follow
a presidential proclamation. Al
ter the war is officially end
ed. the President may pro-
claim a single Victory Day or
separate We and VI days for
annual observance.
The dedication of the Ma
tons greatest shrine to its sol
dier dead, the tomb of the I'm
known Soldier in Arlington
National Cemetery, has helped
to make Nov. II an impress
sive date on the American
calendar. The Unknown Sol
dier was laid to rest on Nov.
IL, 1921, just rs years ago to-
morrow. Millions of Anleri-
cans have visited the tomb.
An unknown service man
soldier. sailor, Marine or Coast
guardsman-cf World War ii
will be laid to rest beside the
Unknown Soldier of World War
/. Congress passed a bill last
June providing for the return
Oh lne unknown service man
and fer ceremonies paying him
the highest honors. Details as
to how he will be chosen are to
be worked out by the war de-
partn.ent.
He will be selected from g.
81, "a. oeu.Itleu bodies from
battle fields around the world.
me Unknown Soldier of
World War l was selected
from among. four soldiers who
died in the battles of the Aisne-
Marine. Meuse-Argonne, Somme
and st. Mihiel. The four SOL
diers were aligned in four cas-
kets in a little hotel at Cha
Ions, France.
OCT. coward F. Younger OF
Chicago was chosen because
of his outstanding service to
designate which of the four
would be brought to Washing
ton fo' entompment. While a
French military band played
an appropriate air, Sergeant
n entered the room
where the caskets were placed.
-. Impressive Occasion
Passing between two INES
formed by American and
French officials, he silently adj
vaneed to the caskets, circled
them three times and placed
a spray of white roses on the
third casket from the left.
The body was brought home
by the cruiser Olympia, Admir-
al Dewev's flagship at the battle
of Marila Bay. The body was
placed upon the catafalque in
the Capitol hat held the re-
mains of the martyred Presi-
dents Lincoln, Garfield and
Mckinley. After lying in state,
it was taken to the tomb IN
I.-- ~--N.. fo,s harFInl