A big day is planned with a mass at 10, lunch hosted by Annie and Jef Hodiamont, the Memorial Day cemetery ceremony at 3, then a city hall reception for family members after the ceremony. It was a beautiful sunny day but high temperatures were 85 degrees.
Richard’s ReLive for the day is here: https://www.relive.com/view/vrqozVJ7Qy6
Roy Moore’s grave was decorated with American, Dutch, and Oklahoma flags as well as flowers from the family including red roses, the Oklahoma flower, and flowers from the adoptee families.
Our adoptee family was at the bus stop awaiting our arrival for Sunday’s mass. (L-R) Mary, John, Rina, Fred, Jef, Jorge, Annie, Saskia, Jan).
The chapel tower behind the reflecting pool is being renovated. On each side leading up to the tower is the Wall of Missing with 1722 names of soldiers who are also adopted.
Wreaths and flowers adorn the Wall of Missing soldiers.
Each of the 8,301 crosses has a US flag and Netherlands flag, and often a state flag. Most, but not all, have fresh flowers from family and adoptee families.
The choir sang much of the mass, and provided music while we waited for the beginning of the ceremony.
Another group picture at the grave before we adjourned for lunch.
Annie and Jef invited the group to their home for a lunch in their garden. Annie had quite a spread including homegrown rhubarb pie.
Both Annie and Rina have remembrance areas in their homes where they have precious memories of their family as well as their adopted soldiers. Annie includes hers in a chest from her grandfather’s warrior years.
Annie and Rina’s father in his military uniform. He was only in the service a short time before he was released to work on the family farm.
Jef, Fred, and John’s father is shown second from the left with fellow bicyclists.
After relaxing over lunch, we headed back to the cemetery for the memorial ceremony.
The wreath stands await the flowers from various military and civilian organizations around the world. Uniformed officers and officials gave speeches and presented the wreaths. In the middle is the color guard, with the band on the left.
Dignitaries and family faced the wreaths. To our left, Dutch adoptees whose families were represented were seated in chairs. All other adoptees and Dutch citizens stood along the tree row several people deep.
Shelly and Rafael Morris of Saint Louis were seated next to us. Rafael’s uncle, Julius Morrison, is another soldier buried in the cemetery.
The American Ambassador to the Netherlands, Joseph Popolo, Jr., gives his Memorial Day speech.
Each official laid a wreath with an aide and Dutch military soldiers. Air Force Capt. Jones is saluting to the left of the ambassador.
City buses were set to transport family members to the city hall. We all arrived simultaneously and quickly jammed the hall.
The Margraten mayor reiterated the honor his town has in the cemetery and those who rest there as well as thanking the people who made the day possible.
After a long but memorable day, we are ready to have dinner and then head to the hotel.
2 Responses
Wow! I have been eagerly awaiting your photos of this Memorial Day celebration, and now that I have seen them I am speechless! I know you have told me before, but 8,300 soldiers buried here? 1,700 missing? It’s hard to take it in. But mostly, the size of the crowd, the ceremony, the fresh flowers on every grave. It is so touching – and of course the whole idea of these townspeople adopting an American soldier’s grave. I am ashamed to say I don’t believe the U.S. celebrates Memorial Day in quite the same way……
Thank you for your comments, Kathy. I know it is difficult for anyone to comprehend but we are constantly amazed by the honor and respect we see at Margraten and we are so happy to have attended and spent time with our adoptees.