soil of
France.

"He was truly 'One of Us.' To the military records he was known
as a Private First Class, but to us he was 'Al,' one in common
and ever affectionate.

"Twenty of us, comrades-in-arms, all from the same city in dear
old Pennsylvania, who formed the escort, listened in profound
sympathy, as we, with the battery in line at our side, paid the
last military honors to our deceased comrade.

"The sun was shining serenely overhead; all was calm and quiet as
a moment of silent homage followed the last note of Taps sounded
over the grave.

"The casket, enshrouded in Old Glory, for which he endured and
died, was lowered, but his soul, no one could doubt, had already
winged itself to the portals of eternity; there to repose in
well-earned rest, to ever serve his God as he served God and
country his mortal while.

"He died in the height of his development as a trained soldier.
Although removed from the scene of actual warfare and listed as
'Died of Disease' in the casualty records, not one of the
thousands of the A. E. F. fallen on the field of battle suffered
a more heroic or noble death.

"He was prepared, ready and willing. Months of strenuous effort
spent in mastering the soldier game were cut short on the eve of
material advantage to the cause, but the spirit of his endeavors
lives in the heart of the outfit he served. It is the spirit,
sometimes called morale, that is the decisive factor.

"At the tomb of the dead the regimental chaplain vouched the
fact that the departed soldier communed every Sunday of his army
life.

"In civil life, before entering the call of selectiveness, his
worth and devoutness was well known to a large circle of friends.
His military associations were none the less extensive and
tender.

"It was while doing his duty, along lines of communication as a
member of the Battery Commander's Detail, on the range at La
Courtine, that he fell a victim to pneumonia, resulting in early
demise.

"There are many incidents connected with the life of our fallen
soldier and friend that could be extolled. But those who knew him
need no words. His life shines out as a true beacon.

"The boys of the battery in which he served bow in heartfelt
sympathy to his wife, parents, brothers,