In Memoriam . . .

Several weeks ago Clayton and I had the opportunity to visit the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial in honor of those who had lost their lives during WW2, most during the Battle of the Bulge which was fought in the winter of 1944 and spring of 1945. There are 5,076 headstones set in 9 plots of land.  It is in this cemetery where General George S. Patton Jr. is laid to rest.





As we walked throughout the cemetery we encountered several brothers who are buried side by side . . . there were also headstones with the Stars of David in honor of those Jewish soldiers who had fallen during battle.  It is customary for those family members visiting the graves of a Jewish kin to leave a small stone on the top of the headstone.

We also visited the nearby German cemetery and were struck by the comparison. There double the amount of graves (10.913) and one fourth the amount of headstones as there were four names to each headstone.  The headstones were not white marble, as was the American Cemetery, but rather made of cement.

We left with a heaviness in our spirits . . . remembering and thanking those who gave their lives . . .

"Grant us grace fearlessly to contend against evil and to make no peace with oppression"

"Take unto thyself O Lord the souls of the valorous that they may dwell in thy glory"