Hi All; Reflecting on visiting the St. James American Cemetery just north of Rennes in September. The Superendant of the cemetary told us that not many Americans visit. Most, like us previously, visit Normandy. We have also visited several times the cemetery in the Netherlands. There are many cemeteries near major tourist areas that could be visited. Paris, Rome, Florence and Nice to name a few. After visiting Normandy many of us have forgotten about all these other places that our men and women are buried. I recall, when traveling by car from Brugge to Rouen passing the Canadian Cemetery with tens of thousands of soldiers buried and not stopping. Never again. The Superendant at the St. James Cemetery was very accommodating. Actually our French innkeeper, designated himself to maintain one of our soldiers grave. The Superendant had 'Taps' played for us in front of this grave. To conclude, it's a new year. Let's try to make every effort to visit these cemeteries that do not get mentioned like Normandy does. Visit the web site abmc.gov ENJOY and Have a Wonderful New Year Iris

Thank you for posting the link, iris1745!

Interesting that on the home page of the site they show a picture of the Cambridge cemetery (at Madingley) without identifying it.

I saw it recently and recognized the photo - was very moved,even though I'm not American. One of the the things worth doing when in Cambridge.

One of the most impressive unvisited military cemeteries in Europe is Hamm Military Cemetery in Sandweiler, Luxembourg (near the airport). General George S. Patton is buried there, facing his troops.

We've actually visited all The American cemeteries in Belgium and France, except the one in Lorraine. No one should ever pass up a chance to visit the French, Canadian or UK ones in Belgium and Northern France. There are hundreds scattered all over the countryside, some with thousands of graves and some with just a dozen or so in the middle of a farmer's field.

It's not just cemeteries. That entire area is also full of small WWII museums - with fascinating exhibits - often run by the town or province. We did a road trip including eastern Belgium and down through Luxembourg and found several of them that were fascinating.

Many were empty, although in one we met 2 elderly British couples, with the husbands showing the wives where they had fought. We had to admit that our fathers/family had fought largely in other areas (the Pacific, North Africa, Italy) or services (navy, air force) but that I had one second cousin who was in the artillery in the Battle of the Bulge.

So sad that soon that entire generation will be gone.

I too would recommend a visit to the cemetary near Cambridge. It is a lovely, peaceful and moving place. The ceiling of the chapel has an amazing mosaic with a map of the WWII theater of war including representation of every mission flown from the airfields in England.

In Italy there is an American cemetary near Anzio, south of Rome, also very worthwhile visiting.

Another sad item along the same theme are the "kinderfeld" (childrens field) areas in some German cemeteries. In Frankfurt, we have quite a large one. These are burials of babies and very young children of military members. It used to be if the child was not 2, the Army would not pay to have the body sent back to the States for burial, so they are all buried here. It is quite sad to walk through this area and know that the parents were stationed here and could not afford this basic right. The American Consulate community has volunteers that keep the grave sites clean, put flags on them for various holidays, etc. I sometimes wonder if the families ever come over. I imagine there are more of these all around Europe where we used to have lots of bases.

Should I mention the American families who paid to have remains from French cemeteries sent back to the U.S. due to French opposition to the American war in Iraq?

Hi All; I meant this posting to Americans to consider visiting cemeteries of soldiers [men and women] in Europe that are 'NOT VISITED TO OFTEN'. Not to delve into politics. However, I will listen to anyone who corrects me on this issue. Americans lost the right to return remains of their loved ones from France or anywhere else outside the US on December 31st, 1951. Just visit the web site and review. abmc.gov Iris

They paid out of their pockets to do this.

Sorry, did not meant to detract from your thread, I just thought the children's burial grounds info might be interesting and something that most people do not know about.

Although not specific to Americans, I really enjoyed (and was moved by) a tour I took out of Bruges several years ago, which included some WWI cemeteries. It starts on slide 48 of this link: http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-idlpda

Wonderful pictures Semimike. We were lucky enough to be in Ieper once when we were asked along with a British tour group we met in the bar of our hotel to join them on some private visits to place not nor,mally open to the casual tourist. Also that same night a special Last Post was played by a Scottish regiment in full regalia. One of our best memories.

Thanks for the photos, SemiMike. We were in the Ypres Salient in November and looked at many of the same sites, including the Brooding Soldier at Vancouver Corner and Tyne Cot. Were you able to look at the German cemetery in Langemark? It is a very somber place.

Speaking of German cemeteries, here is a photo of one in the Verdun area. They certainly have a very different look and feel than the Commonwealth war cemeteries:

www.pbase.com/anselmadorne/image/91529192

And, to return to the original topic, here is a photo of the American Meuse-Argonne cemetery. Although I am not an American, this place shattered me:

www.pbase.com/anselmadorne/image/92240148

Anselm

Hi Mainhattengirl; That was an interesting posting on children of American soldiers. Most of these children died within the first two years of life, many stillborn. A person by the name of Robert Raymond is attempting to maintain the graves. Thanks Iris P.S kerouak; I only wish we had visited the Luxembourg Cemetery while in that city. General Patton's son, who was also a gereral, lives or lived nearby in Hamilton, Ma.

Thank you so much for this post. Visiting these war cemeteries is not only a tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price but can be a humbling & personally rewarding experience. I have visited a handful in Europe. But, the most poignant for me was the American Cemetery outside Carthage, Tunisia, North Africa. Not only were we the only visitors that day, but the only visitors for some time. The caretaker greeted us so warmly saying so few Americans ever came. We visited at the end of an October day under those clear bright blue north African skys. Wandering this beautifully maintained cemetery in perfect quiet brought me to tears. It was a privilege to sign the guest book.

<<We were in the Ypres Salient in November>>

Anselm--may we have some news of your much anticipated trip report?

laverendrye

Iris1745..here's another big Thank You for your post. We had that same discussion with the St. James Superintendent on our most recent visit (10/06), though he was very pleased to report that we were the third set of family members to visit during that particular week.

Like you, we were moved by the playing of "Taps". But another gesture by the Supt. was even more touching. After locating my uncle's grave on the map, this wonderful gentleman proceeded to gather up a bucket, brush, sand and water. As we made our way to the grave, I assumed he planned to do a little tidying up around the spot, but the sand thing was puzzling.

He rubbed sand into the engraved name and other details. Then he brushed over it until the entire engraving shone like gold. He does this as an enhancement for those who wish to take a photo of their soldier's cross or Star of David. When we had placed our bouquet, he offered to take a picture of my husband and me, and it is one that we cherish.

As he turned to leave us at the grave, I spotted a chestnut on the grass, squarely in the center of the grave, and asked whether I might take it. Another magical memento of our stirring experience at St. James.

Thank you again, Iris, for this reminder about the lesser-known cemeteries.

laverendrye, we are so close, just another paragraph or two and we'll be ready. I think we'll start to post this weekend. Look for something called "A duty nobly done ..."

AA