Memorial Day 2007
MEMORIAL DAY 2007
In accordance with tradition, the focus of the last Sunday in May in 2007 was again on the annual ‘Memorial Day’ celebration. Over the years, the 
significance of Memorial Day for the cemetery of Margraten has definitely not decreased. On the contrary, the number of graves adopted by - often younger - citizens increases daily, and the number of such ‘adoptions’ has reached a level not seen for many years. The same is true of the number of graves decorated with flowers on the occasion of Memorial Day. In spite of the threatening weather, there was a large public turnout for the Memorial Day 2007 celebrations.
In the morning, Mayor H. van Beers welcomed US ambassador Arnall and his wife, the ambassadors or acting ambassadors of Canada, Poland and England, General Craddock, commander of the allied forces in Europe, Lt. General Bovy, Chief of Staff of the Joint Force Command in Brunssum, Mrs. Margaret Flott of the American Battle Monuments Commission, and other representatives of armed services and public 
organizations in the town hall.
Commemoration
Mayor Van Beers emphasized that commemorating and recalling the events of the past remains necessary in order to make it clear that freedom cannot be taken for granted. “We are not always conscious of the fact that the freedom that we enjoy here in Europe on a daily basis had to be defended at the cost of many lives, during World War II as well as the period afterwards. The fall of the Berlin Wall took place less than 20 years ago, and during the previous decade, people in the Balkans were still being murdered on account of their ethnic origin, not to mention the many local wars and brushfires taking place all over the world. We owe it to the past and the present to think about how we wish to commemorate and recall the past. New times can require new approaches.”
Memorial Park
In connection with such possible new approaches, Mayor Van Beers mentioned the study carried out by the municipality into the possibility of adding a Memorial Park to the cemetery. “The message symbolized by the fallen soldiers and the cemetery itself must never be allowed to die. That is why we have launched the idea of building a memorial centre near the cemetery, where the story can be told of the soldiers buried here as well as of the cemetery itself and the ideals of freedom, tolerance and democracy which they fought for. Our aim is to do this in close cooperation with the Americans. The centre should offer a program and exhibits that bring its message across in a contemporary and gripping fashion to present as well as future generations.” The organizers of the Margraten Requiem at the cemetery, which will take place on 9 September this year, intend not only to pay homage to the fallen soldiers but also to strengthen the ‘Margraten’ vision and message.
Ceremony
In the afternoon, the ceremonies took place at the cemetery in the presence of various official representatives, including Lt. General Blomjous on behalf of Queen Beatrix, provincial governor L. Frissen, Ambassador Arnall and many other civil as well as religious officials. The ceremonies were accompanied by vocal music provided by the Mannenkoor Koninklijk Walram’s Genootschap (Male Voice Choir of the Royal Walram’s Association) from Valkenburg and instrumental music provided by the Royal Air Force Band and the SHAPE International Band. After the laying of wreaths, the ceremony was completed by a salute from the air in the form of jet fighters flying by in ‘Missing Man’ formation.
* The Mannenkoor Kon. Walram’s Genootschap (Male Voice Choir of the Royal Walram’s Association) from Valkenburg provided the ceremonies with a musical framework. On the right: Lt. General Blomjous, Ambassador Arnall and Superintendent Yasenchak accompany the guests to the cemetery.
* Address by the Royal Commissioner L. Frissen. On the right: wreaths being laying laid on behalf of her Majesty the Queen by Lt. General Blomjous
* Wreath being laid by Ambassador Arnall and (on the right) Mayor Van Beers of Margraten
* There was a great deal of public interest for the Memorial Day celebrations. On the right: the Air Force Band and American flags…
* The homage paid during the wreath-laying ceremony was witnessed by Lt. General Blomjous and Ambassador Arnall. On the right: wreath being laid by Mgr E. de Jong, suffragan bishop of Roermond
* From the tower, ‘Taps’ was played. On the right: salute from the air by fighter planes in the ‘Missing man’ formation