Memorial Day Sunday 24 May 2009 at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten.

"Dear Leo, you and your brethren fought to conquer tyranny and bring freedom to Europe, where more than 100,000 American heroes are now buried. You gave your lives in places like Geilenkirchen, Gouvy and Huertgenwald. Thanks to your sacrifice, today Europe is more united, more free, more peaceful than any time in history. Our countries have been friends and allies ever since you were laid to rest here and your success endures, because exactly 20 years ago we put an end to Europe's old Cold War divide. Almost all European countries are now free and flourishing. Freedom and democracy are on the rise everywhere, sometimes against daunting odds.
Yes, we want to make your sacrifice matter. It was Oliver Wendell Holmes who said that “we (should) not ponder with sad thoughts the passing of our heroes, but rather ponder their legacy – the life they made possible for us by their commitment and pain."

From Dutch Minister Frans Timmermans' speech at the Memorial Day ceremonies Margraten

Frans Timmermans has adopted the grave of Pfc. Leo Lichten from Kings County, New york, thus making certain the memories of Leo Lichten shall not be forgotten. Each year fewer American World War II veterans come to the Memorial Day ceremony at the cemetery in Margraten, the Netherlands. The last survivors are getting on in years and the trip to the Netherlands is a daunting undertaking. But the interest in ‘adopting' the graves has never been greater. All 8,301 graves in Margraten and most of the 1,700 names on the Tablets of the Missing have been ‘adopted', a tradition that began shortly after the end of the war. There is even a waiting list of people who want to feel responsible for maintaining the remembrance. And that is what Memorial Day is all about, remembrance and honouring the lives of those who gave the gift of freedom and democracy, dignity and respect.

Police Officers Maikel Maessen and Lyon Lutgens, representing the police-unit 'Basiseenheid Heuvelland, team Eysden-Margraten', the unit which adopted the grave of SSGT Donald W. Massey.

U.S. Air Force Mastersergeant Christopher Shaw and his family at the grave of his grandfather Pfc. Joseph Lucas Sr. MSGT Shaw also represented AWON at the wreath-laying ceremonies

Although no sculptured marble should rise to their memory, nor engraved stone bear record of their deeds, yet will their remembrance be as lasting as the land they honored.  ~Daniel Webster

ABMC Superintendent Michael S. Yasenchak of the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial conferring with the Dutch and American musical leaders

The audience waiting in front of the Tower/Chapel for the ceremonies to start

Are they dead that yet speak louder than we can speak, and a more universal language?  Are they dead that yet act?  Are they dead that yet move upon society and inspire the people with nobler motives and more heroic patriotism?  ~Henry Ward Beecher

Dutch and American military preparing for the ceremonies

They fell, but o'er their glorious grave
Floats free the banner of the cause they died to save.
~Francis Marion Crawford

ABMC Superintendent Michael S. Yasenchak of the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial leading the international guests of honor to their seats

The honorary guests paying their respect while 'Sound Attention' is being played

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.  ~From a headstone in Ireland

A U.S. Navy bugler playing 'Sound Attention'

The grave of 1st Lt. John L. Dougherty was decorated by several visitors

But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for,
Is their monument to-day, and for aye.
~Thomas Dunn English

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Michael Gallagher gives a speech at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. Mr. Gallagher was also a great help in placing the Dutch and American flags at each grave at the cemetery in the days before the ceremonies.

The Tablets of the Missing at the cemetery decorated with flowers

Better than honor and glory, and History's iron pen,
Was the thought of duty done and the love of his fellow-men.
~Richard Watson Gilder

The joint Color Guard from JFC Brunssum and USAG Schinnen

Dutch Minister Frans Timmermans preparing for his ceremonial speech

Who kept the faith and fought the fight;
The glory theirs, the duty ours.
~Wallace Bruce

Dutch and American military wreathbarers doing a conscientious job. Orders were whispered

Cover them over with beautiful flowers,
Deck them with garlands, those brothers of ours,
Lying so silent by night and by day
Sleeping the years of their manhood away.
Give them the meed they have won in the past;
Give them the honors their future forcast;
Give them the chaplets they won in the strife;
Give them the laurels they lost with their life.
~Will Carleton

Chairwoman Fien Opreij of the Foundation Adoption Graves American Cemetery Margraten placing a wreath

Major General H. Morsink, Adjutant General of Her Majesty the Queen and Chief of the Military House (L) and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Michael Gallagher (R) paying their respect during the complete ceremonial

Your silent tents of green
We deck with fragrant flowers;
Yours has the suffering been,
The memory shall be ours.
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

U.S. and Dutch military wreathbarers presenting the wreaths of the Republicans Abroad, the Netherlands and the Democrats Abroad, the Netherlands.

Mrs. Claire Taylor laying the wreath on behalf of the Democrats Abroad

Mr. Warren Proctor laying the wreath on behalf of the Republicans Abroad

True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
~Arthur Ashe

Part of the wreaths at the end of the ceremonial

It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle.
~Norman Schwarzkopf

The traditional joint Dutch-American F-16 / F15 Fly-over

Peace is more important than all justice; and peace was not made for the sake of justice, but justice for the sake of peace. ~Martin Luther