Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 84, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1920 — FIELD OF HONOR FOR YANK DEAD [ARTICLE]

FIELD OF HONOR FOR YANK DEAD

Senior Chaplain With A. E. F. Sands Open Latter ta . Baker. WANTS BODIES LEFT ABROAD Seventy-Five Former Service Men lA'ave tor Belgium to Begin Work of Hentoving Remains of U. 8. Soldiers Who Fell in France. Washington, Jan. 10. — Bishop Charles 11. Brent, senior chaplain with the American expeditionary forces in France, has addressed an open letter to Secretary Baker and nnd the next of kin of the American dead in France regarding the return of the bodies of American soldiers who fell overseas. The letter was made public today by the American Field of Honor association, which is opposing the movement for the wholesale return of the bodies, and follows charges presented in the senate and hcffise that the movement is being fostered by undertakers for their personal profit. “America,” wrote Bishop Brent, "has left to the decision of the nearest of kin In each case what the final resting place of our dead is to be —whether in France or In this country.* Gives Field of Honor Plan. “No one will dispute the right of parent or wife to claim the fulfillment of the promise made by the American government to return to America the bodies of our dead soldiers. But It is conceivable that there are those who, after learning the plan to establish and maintain in France an American field of honor for those who are *foraver overseas,' may consider this the more excellent way. “A bill to Incorporate the move--ment has already been presented to congress and Is to be reintroduced shortly. There will be an American central field of honor with as many departments as may be •’necessary. Here each year on an appointed day commemoration of the dead will be observed. Over all the sheltering folds of the Stars and Stripes will forever wave.

Shows Revernce for Dead. "Those of us who have given for more than a year careful consideration to the American field of honor are moved by a single-minded purpose. It Is the work of love carried through hy a sense of reverence for that sacred dust which though mingled with the soil of France, Is forever American. "It alms to pay high tribute to those to whom honor Is due. It would preserve as far as may be -the comradeship of the war among those who met a common fate. "It would express to all who are bereaved the undying value of the sacrifice made. It would perpetuate In death that work begun In life to bind together nations of like Ideals." 75 Sall to Begin Returning Bodies. New York, Jan. 16.—The army transport Powhatan, which left here for Antwerp, Belgium, has on board a party of 75 former service men and officers who will visit the battle fields to begin the work of returning the bodies of American soldier dead to this country. The expedition is In charge of Herbert S. Foreman, a former artillery officer of the Rainbow division.