N E T H E R L A N D S
A M E R I C A N
C E M E T E R Y
A N D   M E M O R I A L

_{Travels / M a r g r a t e n}

_{by Ruben Cress}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

---

_{S u m m a r y}

<sub>I thought sharing the following images would be a nice way to change locations and move 10 years forward in my travel journey. The last blog post was about The Citadel. While the campus is located in Charleston, South Carolina, today, I'll take you to the Netherlands, where I will show you the only American cemetery and memorial in the Netherlands: "Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Magraten". Fun fact: while this cemetery is located in the Netherlands, this is actually US soil.

This land has been given to the United States of America. It offers a place for those who didn't survive the second world war. US fallen soldiers found peace here. There are 8301 graves and another 1722 names on the wall of the missing. While I usually don't tend to take photographs of cemeteries, the American cemetery and Memorial Magraten ask for an exception. This has mostly something to do with when I learned that sharing photographs of graves and the cemetery were helping those who cannot visit the graves of their beloved ones. If I ever would feel 'honor' in taking photographs at a cemetery, it would be this one, for those who've fallen.

The Second World War cemetery is rich in history. The location of the cemetery is near the roads that Caesar once used, built during the Roman Empire. The very same road that has been used by Napoleon. As well as Hitler, who used these roads both for his overwhelming siege and his withdrawal. In all scenarios, these roads were strategically used.

This cemetery shows the sadness and sorrow, the pain inflicted by the Germans during World War II, but it also shows the honor of those who have fought and given their lives so we can live our lives in freedom. It also makes me think about those who survived the war and lost their comrades. Even though I have not lived to witness war in my own country, these past battles will remain to have left a footprint on humanity.</sub>

---

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

Citadel Man

Creswell Garlington, Jr.

Edward Gray Cherry, Jr.

Edwin Karl Newman

Robert Cowan Rolph.

Frederick Davenport Melton

William Milling Royall

Arthur Bradlee Hunt, Jr.

Wilson Adelbert Wendt

Medal of Honor

Private George J.Peters

SSGT George Peterson

Lieutenant Colonel Robert G. Cole

Private First Class Walter C. Wetzel

First Lieutenant Walter J. Will

Private first Class Willy. James, JR

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

_{Ruben Cress | Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial Margraten}

---

Honor is theirs who knew the path of honor

In this cemetery you will notice that there are headstones with the star of David. These headstones belong to the fallen Jewish soldiers who fought alongside the American Army. Six soldiers who found there peace here were awarded with the Medal of Honor. This cemetery is also the final resting place for 8 Citadel men.

Cheers,
Ruben

_{Follow me on Foundation | Follow me on Twitter | Follow me on Instagram}