Sinds de maand mei werk ik op een nieuwe post :
Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial
Rue du Memorial Americain 159
4582 Hombourg
Op deze amerikaanse begraafplaats liggen 7992 soldaten uit de tweede wereldoorlog begraven. Zij zijn gesneuveld tussen september 1944 en mei 1945.
https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/henri-chapelle-american-cemetery#.WgyRujdry71Dit is het bericht dat ik op 29 heb gepost op een amerikaanse modelbouw-website. Mijn excuses dat het in het engels is, maar ik vond (en vind het nog steeds) de beste taal om mijn gevoelens te verwoorden :
Saturday, may 27th, was a very hot day in Belgium. Temperatures went above 30° and the sun was beating down mercilessly.
That day, I had the very distinct honour of being one of the security officers at the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial.
I was truly humbled, being in the company of 7.992 fallen heroes. Walking on hallowed ground.
Despite the hot weather, close to a thousand service men and women, dignitaries and visitors were present for the Memorial Day event.
Every headstone had an American and a Belgian flag, and many were adorned with flowers.
During the event, speeches were given, wreaths were placed, and a military band played music, the highlights being the firing of the gun salute and the playing of Taps.
During the preparation for the event, I had the chance to take some pictures :
Back wall, with the flagpost
From a security point of view, the day went very well. But even though I'm a big, broad shouldered guy, I have to admit that I felt very emotional at times. The showing of this much
- well deserved - respect for these brave men touched my heart in it's deepest place.
On sunday the weather was again blistering hot, but that didn't stop the visitors coming to pay their respect. Around 16:40 (the cemetery closes at 17:00) the staff got ready to
lower the flag at the back wall of the cemetery, when something spectacular happened. A male visitor stood on the grass in the middle of the cemetery and played Taps on his
trumpet during the flag ceremony.
I met him and his wife and 3 children. His wife has an uncle that is buried at the Cemetery. Was quite an honour to be able to talk to this family.
It was a very hot and long weekend, but I wouldn't have missed it for the world.
When you're in Belgium, please come and visit the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery and Memorial (
https://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries-memorials/europe/henri-chapelle-american-cemetery#.WSvhGcYlG71).
If you're a relative of any of the heroes resting here, please come shake the hand of the security officers, we consider it an honour and would like to talk to you.
Here's a very nice tribute, found on youtube :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRxGrN9pdKE Be safe, God bless you and may we never forget the price of freedom.
Sincerely
Pascal