Ridge Runner Chronicles: The Netherlands American Cemetery and the Dutch “Memorial Day”

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By Bill Hoagland

Last night (June 9), I attended a slide lecture by Colonel Mike Morrow (Ret.) regarding the Normandy Invasion. Colonel Morrow, now Mayor of Grafton, IL, is leading a group memorializing the American soldiers who were involved in the Omaha Beach portion of the invasion. The recent Memorial Day festivities here in the US, the 81st anniversary of the Normandy Invasion, and the lecture last night all beg the question whether Europeans truly appreciate the sacrifices that American soldiers made during the latter phases of WW II to free them from the horrific Nazi occupation. The short answer is that they do—much more so than I realized—and while that appreciation still exists in such diverse places as France and the Czech Republic, it is the Dutch that deserve special recognition for this effort.

Until last week, I never heard of the Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten. It is the final resting spot for 8,301 American soldiers who died during the last few months of the war in the Battle of the Bulge and the subsequent allied push into Germany. It is estimated that thousands of allied soldiers died during that period, including 19,000 Americans. The process of trying to bury so many corpses quickly is a story in itself and is well described in the excellent book, “Remember Us” by Robert M. Edsel. There are American military cemeteries throughout Europe but the Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten, the main focus of this book, is unique for a number of reasons.

First, it is the only cemetery in the Netherlands devoted strictly to American soldiers.   Except for 1,722 soldiers who are “unknown” but buried and accounted for on the “Wall of the Unknown” in that cemetery, every identified soldier buried in that cemetery is honored with a stone monument consisting of either a cross or a Star of David, with the name and unit of that soldier inscribed on that monument. Second, every soldier buried there has been “adopted” by a Dutch family or individual. By agreeing to adopt a soldier, the adopting family or individual agrees to maintain the grave, occasionally place fresh flowers on the grave and attend annual memorial services conducted at the cemetery. But this effort by the Dutch doesn’t end there:  the adopting family or individual usually contacts the family of the deceased soldier in the US and more often than not, this correspondence leads to an emotional visit by the soldier’s family to the cemetery and a lasting personal relationship with the adopting family or individual.   

As well-stated by the Washington Post in a headline in 2015, “The Americans gave their lives to defeat the Nazis. The Dutch have never forgotten.” Folks, this appreciation has continued for nearly 80 years. And to me, the most humbling aspect of this is that in the Dutch community, there is still a waiting list for those wanting to adopt a deceased American soldier.   This ongoing effort is undertaken so that all of us, both American and European, young and old, never forget. Ever.

Note: Memorial Day in the Netherlands is the last Sunday before the last Monday in May. It is a very moving ceremony and can be found on YouTube by typing in “Memorial Day at the Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten”. You can also go to the Dutch website,” www.adoptiegragen-margraten.nl”. Unlike Memorial Day celebrations in the US, where gun fights sometimes erupt nearby, these Memorial Day celebrations in the Netherlands are solemn affairs and might just bring a tear or two if you watch. (A good one on YouTube is “AWON Margraten Memorial Day 2015.)

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ν Bill Hoagland has practiced law in Alton for more than 50 years, but he has spent more than 70 years hunting, fishing and generally being in the great outdoors. His wife, Annie, shares his love of the outdoor life. Much of their spare time is spent on their farm in Calhoun County. Bill can be reached at [email protected].