Each year, on the last Sunday of the month of May, "Memorial Day" celebrations are held at the cemetery. This takes place in the presence of a great many dignitaries from inside and outside the Netherlands. During the ceremony, a wreath is laid and jet planes bring a salute by flying over in the so-called "Missing Man" formation. Everyone is welcome to attend the ceremony, which always begins at 3 p.m. On Dutch Memorial Day (4 May), there are no official ceremonies at the American cemetery. However, on this day, many people visit the cemetery. Many people who have adopted graves as well as other visitors then lay flowers next to the graves.

MEMORIAL DAY 2006 ALSO LINKED TO MEMORIAL PARK

Although the scenario for celebrating ‘Memorial Day’ has changed very little over time, the celebration in 2006 was marked by something special. For the first time, the celebration was attended by the new US ambassador, Roland Arnall. During the morning welcome given to the guests in the town hall, the ambassador was warmly welcomed by Mayor H. van Beers. In addition to the ambassador, Mayor Van Beers also had the opportunity of welcoming several American senators as well as the ambassadors from Canada and England, the chairperson of the Committee for Veteran Affairs of the American Senate, the director of the American Battle Monuments Commission in Europe, the commander in chief of the American forces in Europe, and other representatives from the Army, NATO and the American Embassy.

 

In his speech to the guests, Mayor Van Beers wondered whether it still made sense to commemorate the end of the war after more than 60 years. Referring to a recent study, which made it clear that today's younger generation knows very little about World War II, his answer was an unequivocal yes. “Now that many people, belonging to the younger generation, know so little about this terrible war, the time has come for us to allow the white crosses and stars, those silent witnesses, to tell the story of what happened and why. Why did a young man from Montana, Tennessee or some other state come to Europe to sacrifice his life? Why are more than 8000 Americans buried here in Margraten? Is that something we should ever forget?

 

Memorial Park

Mayor Van Beers mentioned, in that regard, the plans of the town council to establish a Memorial Park next to the cemetery. Here, modern technology would be used to keep the story behind the cemetery and the crosses vibrant and alive as well as to transform it into a center for contemplation and reflection - a center for information on a wide range of subjects related to war and peace and the relationship between America and Europe. This, explained Mr. Van Beers, was the best possible way to keep the story behind “Margraten” alive, and to make it clear that all those young Americans did not sacrifice their lives in vain. “They deserve no less.” The mayor invited ambassador Arnall to provide his support in this matter. He also invited the ambassador to attend the unique performance of Mozart’s Requiem by the Limburg Symphony Orchestra to be given on Sunday 10 September at the American cemetery.

In the afternoon, the Memorial Day celebration took place at the cemetery. In addition to the speeches given by Ambassador Arnall and Governor Frissen, the wreath laying ceremony took place. Lt. General Blomjous laid the first wreaths on behalf of her Majesty Queen Beatrix and the Minister of Defense H. Kamp did the same on behalf of the government. The ceremony ended with jets flying overhead in the ‘missing man’ formation. After that, a large number of guests attended the reception given by the town council. These included Ambassador Arnall, the ambassadors of Poland and Canada, Minister of Defense H. Kamp, Governor L. Frissen, Bishop Mgr E. de Jong, representatives of the Jewish community, and many other organizations from the Defense Department, the resistance, war veterans, allied parties and government bodies.

During the ceremony at the American cemetery, Ambassador Arnall also gave a speech.
To access the text of the speech: click here



Photo on left: Ambassador Arnall and his wife are welcomed by Mayor Van Beers and his wife.  Photo on right: On behalf of her Majesty Queen Beatrix, Lt. General Blomjous arrives at the cemetery with a party including Ambassador Arnall, superintendent Yasenchak, Governor Frissen and Mayor Van Beers.

Photo on left: On behalf of Queen Beatrix, Lt. General Blomjous lays a wreath. Photo on right: Mayor Van Beers lays a wreath on behalf of the municipality of Margraten