Memorial Day in the Netherlands. What do you think of the way the Dutch have cared for the graves of Americans killed in World War II?

2015-05-24T22:41:13-04:00

They haven’t forgotten. For 70 years, the Dutch have come to a verdant U.S. cemetery outside this small village to care for the graves of Americans killed in World War II.

On Sunday, they came again, bearing Memorial Day bouquets for men and women they never knew, but whose 8,300 headstones the people of the Netherlands have adopted as their own.

For the American relatives of the fallen, it was an outpouring of gratitude almost as stunning as the rows of white marble crosses and Jewish Stars of David at the Netherlands American Cemetery. Each grave has been adopted by a Dutch or, in some cases, Belgian or German family, as well as local schools, companies and military organizations. More than 100 people are on a waiting list to become caretakers.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/americans-gave-their-lives-to-defeat-the-nazis-the-dutch-have-never-forgotten/ar-BBkct8c

Americans gave their lives to defeat the Nazis. The Dutch have never forgotten.

They haven’t forgotten. For 70 years, the Dutch have come to a verdant U.S. cemetery outside this small village to care for the graves of Americans killed in World War II.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 24 at 2015 10:54 PM

2015-05-24T22:54:01-04:00

I have always been glad of the way all of the graves of our fallen have been cared for by those nations they are in. Another great topic GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made May 24 at 2015 11:08 PM

2015-05-24T23:08:03-04:00

Not onely the Dutch but the English. Last Memorial Day my wife was with her Dad (B24 flight engineer,flew two missions on D day) for the Eighth Air Force reunion in Norwitch England. She told me while walking the streets of London with her dad more then one Englishman ( young and old)stopped them and thanked them for what the Americans did for England in WW2.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 25 at 2015 12:44 AM

2015-05-25T00:44:43-04:00

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad Having been in Europe, I can tell you barring the french I (I am being a little sarcastic), the european countries directly impacted by WWI and WWII still appreciate what the United States did for them, and the American Cemeteries there immaculate and worth seeing. They are breath taking.

Response by SSG John Jensen made May 25 at 2015 2:36 AM

2015-05-25T02:36:57-04:00

youtube "tanks in town" all of the cities in France and Holland and Belgium celebrate that date that they were liberated from the germans - videos of vehicles with giant american flags that aren't being flown by americans - the French are celebrating US

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2015 11:35 AM

2015-05-25T11:35:38-04:00

The Dutch look at the American Cemetery (and the British/ Canadian one a little ways South) as their solemn duty to look after. Many are out there EVERY SUNDAY after church. The waiting list is no joke.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 25 at 2015 1:42 PM

2015-05-25T13:42:11-04:00

Great stuff. A poignant story for Memorial Day in the Netherlands. 8,300 of our boys are buried in the Netherlands, and each of them is adopted by a family. This has been a generational event, as the appreciation of their sacrifices never dies. It is good that they love our boys.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2015 6:34 PM

2015-05-25T18:34:15-04:00

When I was 18, I spent a year as a foreign exchange student in Liege Belgium, near the Ardennes. One day, I went for a walk around the neighborhood, and happened to find an American military cemetery completely by accident. I still remember being so very moved and impressed by my first walk through those grounds. I think I took hundreds of (35mm) photos that day. Now that I reflect back on my visits there during that year, I think the magnitude of serving one's contry really made an impact. And started an appreciation for national pride and service that continues today.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 25 at 2015 10:37 PM

2015-05-25T22:37:37-04:00

They take great care of the ground our fallen brethren are buried in. Great story.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 26 at 2015 7:57 AM

2015-05-26T07:57:41-04:00

This is a great piece. A friend of mine spoke to me about this very same article in the article it mentions my unit. "It was November 1944, two months after the village’s 1,500 residents had been freed from Nazi occupation by the U.S. 30th Infantry Division." The 30th Infantry Division is now the 30th ABCT. I proudly wear the patch on my left shoulder. We were known as the workhorse of the western front. We were also known as "FDR's SS" by the Germans. We annihilated Germany's 1st SS Division. We took a heavy toll but the Soldiers of the 30th stood victorious. "Old Hickory"

The Work Horse Of The Western Front - The Big Picture

National Archives and Records Administration ARC Identifier 2569481 / Local Identifier 111-TV-211 Big Picture: The Work Horse of the Western Front Department...

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2019 4:15 PM

2019-06-15T16:15:26-04:00

It was amazing to witness the love and reverence that the Dutch have for the American Service Men who died liberating them. It was beautiful.