For a nation of people whose own
independence was purchased at high price 238 years ago, it is disappointing to
see how short our national memory is when it comes to world events of fairly
recent date. I would find it rare, for instance, to see so much as a hint of
recognition cross the face of a high school or even college graduate of current
vintage at the mention of such words as Pegasus
Bridge, Arnhem, Remagen or Pont du
Hoc. Unless their parents are motion picture buffs, even they might need
help remembering a military embarrassment known as Market Garden. They might all be excused therefore – along admittedly
with most of their fellow citizens – for
failing to see why the people of Holland should make such a big deal about
today: May 5th 2014. So
here’s another great word for us all: Bevrijdingsdag!
In Dutch it means Liberation Day! And for the citizens of
The Netherlands of all ages, it is the day when, 79 years ago, Allied forces
freed their country from the yoke of Nazi occupation. It will once again be
celebrated as a national holiday across that tulip-bedazzled land, and nowhere
with more solemnity than the area around Maastricht. In the American War
Cemetery at nearby Margraten lie 8301
American warrior-dead, their gleaming white markers outlining semi-circles amid
a backdrop of manicured green lawns and white commemorative architecture.
Nowhere in Europe (where more than 125,000 American servicemen slumber), will
any field of honor exceed this one in well-maintained grandeur. For here, you
see, the ground and grave keepers are special.
In what I can’t help but see as a
stroke of wisdom, the surrounding towns decided long ago to allow local
citizens to literally adopt a grave, in a program through which they would not
only maintain the burial site, but search out and preserve the individual
identity and personality of the soldier or airman conferred into their care and
keeping. In the homes of most participating burgers one might find photographs
of “their” hero, and in many cases, correspondence to and from families,
friends, neighbors and school teachers of the deceased in America. Much
genealogical and military research has proudly been carried out in the pursuit
of these sacred duties, from which international friendships have been born and
preserved.
Of course, “caretakers” pass on or
move away, but no worry; the waiting list of replacement families is long and
growing, so great is the perceived honor enshrined in the privileged duty. Add
to all this the fact that the same adopt-a-grave policy applies to nearby
cemeteries for other Allied war dead, many of whom are British, Polish and
Australian troops who lost their lives in the failed “Operation Market Garden”
of “A Bridge Too Far” movie fame.
It is expected that at least 30,000
people will attend today’s ceremonies at Maastricht, at which a traditional
trumpet solo will render the moving “SILENCE”
at the conclusion of the memorial concert. (Based upon the original “Taps” as
adapted by Italian composer Nino Rossi, the performance of this heart-stirring
number by 13-year old Melissa Venema in 2006 had a world-wide impact via the
internet.)
As an American whose freedom-loving
roots go deep, I would like to convey profound THANKS to those friends – like
the people of The Netherlands – who take time to remember. I can only wish we
did a better job of it ourselves.
Peter
Schroyen, left, a Dutch citizen places a photo before the monument of Easy
Company member William H. Dukeman, Jr. (“Band of Brothers”). Schroyen even made
a trip to Denver to meet family members.
Photo Courtesy Encyclopedia
Britannica
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