Ceremony

Nobody deserves to be forgotten

Both 2019 and 2020 were remarkable years. During these years, people from all over the world commemorated and celebrated the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. The end of the war in the Netherlands came closer when U.S. soldiers crossed the border near the town of Mesch on September 12, 1944, which became the first town to be liberated. However, it would take until May 5, 1945 before the country was fully liberated. And that liberation came at a heavy price for those who fought for it. That is why we say thank you to our American liberators who have been buried in the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in the town of Margraten. We pay tribute to them by decorating their graves and names on the Walls of the Missing with their personal photos. Join us in our quest for the missing faces and help to remember to those who sacrificed their all for our freedom.

Remarks Deputy Chief of Mission Sterling

Adam H. Sterling, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in The Hague, shared remarks on behalf of the United States. "We should not allow the uniformity of the headstones to cause us to forget that each headstone tells an individual story," Sterling said. Read his speech in full here.

Remarks Chairman Vonk

The 22-year old chairman of the Stichting Verenigde Adoptanten Amerikaanse Oorlogsgraven (Foundation United Adopters American War Graves), Sebastiaan Vonk, asked those present to not only pause and reflect upon the past, but to also look to the future in a personal speech. Read his remarks here.

Letter Justine Camps

Justine Camps (18) from Wijlre wrote a letter to one of the unknown soldiers buried in the Margraten cemetery. "A while ago I visited the American Cemetery in Margraten. I was touched by the fact that there always will be soldiers who will not be identified, who will remain unknown. That is why I decided to write this letter." Justine read the letter during the ceremony.

Remarks Deputy Governer Koopmans

Deputy Governor Koopmans shared remarks on behalf of the Province of Limburg. Read his remarks here.

Donate

Would you like to contribute to keeping the memory alive? By donating just 12.50 dollars, you will enable us to give a face to one soldier. You can directly donate 12.50 dollars via your credit card or PayPal by clicking the button below. Click here if you want to read more or donate another amount. Thank you for your support!

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