Recently, the liberation of the Netherlands was celebrated. And, for this Memorial Day weekend, we decided to go to Margraten, where the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial is located, to plant flags and visit the graves of American warriors who sacrificed all for freedom.
It gives me chills to see a place like this. First of all, I still can't wrap my mind around the heritage Margraten represents for us. It is because of the battles represented there that we are even stationed in this area. Geilenkirchen, which hosts the NATO base at which we are stationed, was the site of a major 1944 battle. And, some of the men who lost their lives in that battle were buried right in front of me.
Margraten is tranquil and beautiful, just as it should be. The grounds are flawless, flowers blooming everwhere, monuments tasteful and simple, and the rows of crosses and stars are powerful and moving. Walking through to take note of when these men died and where they came from, I saw several pairs of brothers buried side by side.
An American family approached us and started talking to us. We told them that we were stationed in the area and asked if they were visiting. The man told us that they were there because his father is buried in the cemetery. He died in battle, and his son grew up without a father. Powerful. This man was at Margraten for the ceremonies this weekend - the Dutch Queen Beatrix will preside over them at the cemetery tomorrow.
There was a whole group of families walking around this morning wearing badges with their loved ones' pictures on them. Our new friends had been to visit his father's grave four times, and he felt like it was important to be here this year. He loves that his mother chose to keep his father buried here with his buddies.
He told us about the great relationship he has with the Dutch family that adopted his father's grave. It is really admirable to see what the Dutch people do for those buried at Margraten. All graves are adopted by the Dutch - there is a waiting list. However, families tend to solemnly pass down the responsibility of caring for the graves to their own family members.
A Dutch man also started talking to me later on about the grave he adopted. He excitedly told me the soldier's name, and how much it means to him to be able to care for his plot. His eyes misted, and he looked up and over the cemetery. He said, "These people did much for us." The Dutch really appreciate the sacrifices, and generations of them were out today placing flowers on the markers. I'm thankful for these people and the way they passionately care for our fallen.
It was a fitting way to mark Memorial Day. I will absolutely return, hopefully in the near future.
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