The Memorial Certificate on the
page opposite is a reproduction of that
presented by the French Government to every American family that lost a
member in the World War.
The interpretation of the symbolical group is as follows:
The principal figure of the group symbolizes the soul and spirit of the
American Army which helped France to maintain alive the flame of the
torch of liberty and justice.
The sword is not in the scabbard but ready at any moment to protect and
defend the weak and oppressed, symbolized in the group to the left by a
mother holding her baby to her breast, and to insure freedom and
justice to the coming generations, represented by the figure of the
kneeling boy, praying and thanking God for deliverance.
At the right of the figure of a man, chained and shackled, symbolizes
the spirit of evil and the victory over our enemies. Also at the right,
crowning the spirit of America, stands Glory, who rejoices with the old
war veteran, standing to the left of the principal figure, symbolizing
the armies, which are always ready to fight for the good of humanity.
Universal fame is symbolized by the winged figure flying over the group
and trumpeting to the world the great triumph in which the United
States participated. The American eagle, poised on the staff of Peace,
watches zealously, and stands ready to swoop in case our enemies again
endeavor to disturb the peace of the world, so dearly acquired.
The entire group is framed by a border of oak and laurel leaves, which
are always awarded the victors.
At the foot of the cenotaph the flags of France and America are draped
and joined together by a wreath, which is the mark of gratitude and
homage that France pays to our sons who gave their lives for liberty
and justice.
The lines engraved on the wall behind the group are taken from one of
Victor Hugo's famous poems, and when translated read --
For those who
devoutly died for their country
It is right that
the people come and pray at their tombs. |
The group
is placed on a cenotaph on which is engraved an inscription, the
following being a translation:
To the Memory of
(Name of Gold Star and Unit)
of the United States of
America
Who died for Liberty during
the Great War
The Homage of France
The President of the
Republic.
R. Poincare |
|