On my last trip I attended the Belgium Grand Prix and after the first day of practice while driving back to the hotel I came across the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial. I knew there were American War Cemeteries in Europe but when you find one it takes your breath away.
During World War II many men sacrificed their lives defending freedom. There are almost 8,000 grave sites here. Every man had their own reason for signing up. Some to escape poverty and some felt it was their patriotic duty to do so. The memorial has signs on a few grave sites explaining why they signed up, where they were from and how they died. Some examples were of a soldier that stayed behind with a machine gun to hold off the Germans while the rest could escape. He received the Medal of Honor. Another was a Chaplain killed during the war and in reading his story I found out that being a chaplain was the most dangerous job as more were killed by percentage than any other job. The last was a medic that was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and was executed along with 83 other soldiers by the Germans. It was called the Massacre of Malmedy and was considered a war crime.
I have always believed in remembering our history. We have to learn from our successes but also from our mistakes. These men sacrificed all and should be remembered and honored.
There are many memorials like this throughout the world. If you are in the area take the time to honor them.
America did a great service by preserving this site.
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| At bottom is a list of memorials around the world |
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