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

WaPo ^ | 05-24-2015 | Ian Shapira

[NRx]

MARGRATEN, Netherlands — 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.

[OldMissileer]

There is a movie with the same name. I would give it only a poor to fair rating.

I read the book when I was in Junior High School and loved it. I was quite excited when the movie came out but when I watched it I thought it stank on ice. A real disappointment.

[flaglady47]

“Now that boy has grandkids himself

In his house that box sits on a shelf

Every Memorial Day he looks at it and cries

The flag folded thirteeen times”

Excellent poem. You’ve got a knack. Do more of them.

[Chgogal]

When were you in the Netherlands and/or Indonesia?

[PotatoHeadMick]

“When were you in the Netherlands and/or Indonesia?”

I have spent time in both, why?

[the scotsman]

The Dutch fighting was mostly British and Canadian, with some American units. Also Poles and Dutch attached to the British 21st Army Grp.

[the scotsman]

Many of us rate both the book and film as classics.

There are several tremendous books written about Op Market Garden, mostly of course British, but also German and American. It Never Snows in September is THE classic work from the German angle, written by a British ex-military man turned author/historian.

[21twelve]

Thank you. My mom (born 1917) had memorized this in school. She still knew the first verse by heart two years ago as she was in her last weeks, remembering her life as we chatted with her.

I told her how when my kids were little we would go out to a local cemetery on Memorial Day and visit the graves. Trimming grass with scissors around the worst, trying to find veterans, and the oldest graves.

I still read this poem to them - but don't have it memorized.

The following link is of a local Christian singer with a song he created based on a visit to rural France. During a run in the country he came across a U.S. cemetery. And many of the stones only said “Unknown”.

A thought provoking song about all the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers that don't come home over the years. But to God of course they are known.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c084s55Bcfc&list=PL15603A0CC7A810BE

“They will be remembered for the deeds that they have done, even though we can't call them each by name.”

[miss marmelstein]

My mother’s first husband is buried there. He was killed by a sniper two weeks before the end of the war.

[Peter W. Kessler]

Every September, there’s a “Liberation Concert” in the cemetery. I was privileged to attend the 70th anniversary concert in 2014. Photos:

https://picasaweb.google.com/VictorySpeedway/Bastogne2014MargratenHollandLiberationConcert

Memorial Day in Holland is the same date as ours. I’m told the cemetery is a literal sea of flowers.

On the day of the concert, many adopters arrived early to place flowers on the graves. It was an honor to meet some of them, and say “Thank you.”

There’s a book about the cemetery and the adoptions: http://www.amazon.com/Margraten-Boys-European-Americas-Liberators/dp/0230346642/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1432552492&sr=1-1&keywords=the+margraten+boys

It’s a wonderful book, highly recommended.

[jmacusa]

Yup.

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

The French don’t even consider ‘Quebecois’ to be French.

They'd get an absolute case of the vapors if they ever visited New Orleans!

Regards,
GtG

[Yorlik803]

The 82nd and the 101st took part in Market-Garden. That’s the plan Monty had to end the war before Christmas. Due to British not believing the Dutch underground and not even their own Intel, the whole plan went down the dumper. British 1st Airborne was wiped out.

[ops33]

I’ve read that the French don’t even think the French can speak French.

[Carl Vehse]

Europe has exceeded its quota of U.S. soldiers’ lives. Next time—and there will be a next time against the islamonazis—we disinfect Europe and elsewhere thermonuclearly.

[paratrooper82]

Nice to hear that many people still thank the United States of America and its people for the sacrifices they have made to the world!

The liberal socialist in this country love its bounty, but, spit on Americans and criticize every thing about her! I don't see them moving the hell out of here to fast.

Thank you my fellow service men and women for the sacrifices you make each and every day of the year to keep our country safe and our Constitutional rights protected!

82nd ABN 1/508th BN

[Theoria]

I was stationed in the Netherlands for a while. The American cemetery is very beautiful. But, there are small headstones everyone, that has a American kia’s name and info all over the place where they died. They always have flowers and thank yous at them.

Another nice article from a Dutch citizen who explains more background on their wonderful actions.

The “Margraten” Experience: Why the Dutch adopt graves and names of American WWII soldiers

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Great post.

[Ditto]

Thanks for the post. Great article. My uncle — my mothers brother, is hurried in this cemetery. He was KIA on Dec. 11 1944 at the battle of Hurtgen Forest.

Thanks to the Dutch people for remembering him and the thousands of others.

[A Formerly Proud Canadian]

At the Menin Gate, built as a memorial to WWI missing British and Commonwealth soldiers who fought in the Ypres salient, every evening at 8:00PM, buglers from the Ypres fire brigade block the road that passes through the gate, and sound the Last Post. The Ode of Remembrance is also recited, usually by a British soldier. Other than during the German Occupation of WWII, this has occurred daily since July 2, 1928, honouring those British and Commonwealth soldiers who gave their lives in the Ypres salient, freeing Belgium from der Kaiser's Imperial forces.

Many Belgians remember the sacrifices made by the Allies in both World Wars to free them from the German tyranny, though I'm sure many of the lefty elite would like it all forgotten.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them. (from the Ode of Remembrance)

LEST WE FORGET

[Neoliberalnot]

It is very sad. The left is dictating the curriculum today. Courses are focused on America’s sins of the past. It is designed to make people feel nothing but scorn and hatred for the greatest civilization ever, America.