Participation of Patriotic Societies in Funerals

Title

Participation of Patriotic Societies in Funerals

Creator

Pierce, Charles C.

Identifier

T100035

Date

No date

Description

Letter to the families of dead soldiers, regarding support from the American Legion, the American Red Cross, the Jewish Welfare Board, and other organizations

Source

Gift of Carol Frost, great-niece of John P. Ambuehl, and Mrs. James E. Higgins, 1981.

Subject

World War, 1914-1918
World War, 1914-1918--Casualties

Contributor

Rachel Dark

Language

English

Provenance

Items were saved by John P. Ambuehl and his family, whose descendants donated them as a collection to WWPL.

Text

WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE QUARTERMASTER GENERAL OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON

FROM: The Quartermaster General, U.S. Army, (Cemeterial Division).

TO: The relatives of our dead.

SUBJECT: Participation of patriotic societies in funerals.

1. The American Legion has expressed its desire to render any possible aid and comfort to relatives of our soldier dead returned from Europe for burial at their homes, and to honor their fallen comrades through particiaption in the funeral ceremonies. To this end the Legion requested this office to furnish the National Headquarters with the names and addresses of next of kin, approximate date of return and other data. This information cannot be furnished to others than relatives of the dead, since it is peculiarly their property and its dissemination to others would be a violation of our obligation to them and to the dead.

2. The desire of the American Legion is brought to your attention in order that, should you wish any aid from the organization or that it participate in the funeral of your soldier dead, you may bring the matter to the attention of the commander of the local post, or if there be no local post, to the attention of the National Adjutant, American Legion, National Headquarters, Meridian Bldg., Indianapolis, Ind.

3. It is understood to be the intention of the National Headquarters, American Legion, in case there is no local post in the immediate vicinity of the intended burial place of any returned soldier's remains, to direct the nearest post to take action on those cases where relatives so request.

4. The American Red Cross desires also to render comfort to the relatives of our dead, through their local chapters, which are in operation in almost every town. We are sure they will be glad to serve whenever they may be called upon.

5. The same is doubtless true concerning the other welfare organizations which were officially recognized during the World War and are still in operation, as well as other military associations which are locally established.

By authority of the Quartermaster General

CHARLES C. PIERCE,
Colonel, US Army,
Chief, Cemeterial Division

Supplemental:-

The Jewish Welfare Board, whose National headquarters are at 149 Fifth Ave, New York City, will gladly render all necessary service to relatives of Jewish dead and will operate directly or through correspondents in each locality.

Original Format

Correspondence

To

The relatives of our dead

Files

http://resources.presidentwilson.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/T100035.pdf

Citation

Pierce, Charles C., “Participation of Patriotic Societies in Funerals,” No date, T100035, John P. Ambuehl Collection, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.