Where oh where Wednesday - Margraten cemetery

Just up the road from Maastricht, about 15 minutes away, is a solemn place where history connects the US and Europe and solemn solitude tries to break through the raucous chaos of everyday to remind that there are some things more important than others. Here the fields are sown with white stones laid out in beautiful rows. 

Margraten cemetery is a monument to the US soldiers who died in World War II liberating the Netherlands. About 90 minutes to the south is where the Battle of the Bulge was fought and the fields turned red. Here outside Maastricht Us forces cam to liberate Maastricht, one of the first places in the Netherlands to be freed from the enemy. 

The soldiers buried here did not all die here. Some died further away and on various days. Walking among the stones, you can read their names and dates. You ca be amazed at the variety of men who fought for their country. There are crosses, stars of David and stones. There are young men and older men. As you stand among the white rows, lines stretching out softly over a hill toward the trees, you are aware of the sacrifice given. 

Presidents have come here to show their support for Europe. Every year on May 4 the fallen are remembered. Dutch families adopt the graves here so that the fallen soldier’s family know that all is well cared for, even now.  

When you walk here it is easy to remember that this was horrible. That we are glad that it is over. Then we drive on to the next city and life continues. War continues. Soldiers and citizens die once again. There is a peace that must come from somewhere else than a memorial, as important as such a memorial is. Every Sunday we remember - in a beautiful and solemn ceremony - how important it is that One died. But do I just walk away and continue? Or do I let it change my life, daily?