General
The American Cemetery lies along the Maastricht-Vaals motorway in the municipality of Margraten. One of the largest cemeteries in the world, it contains the graves of no less than 8301 liberators, nearly all of them Americans. The white marble crosses and stars of David are memorials to the often young soldiers who paid the ultimate price in World War II so that we could live in freedom today.
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Hundreds of people visit the cemetery every day. The specific layout of the crosses and the location within the overall landscape combine to impart a very special atmosphere to the cemetery. Specific norms and regulations apply here, which are respected by all visitors.
The marble walls of the Ereplein (Court of Honor) contain the carved names of 1722 members of the ground and air troops missing in action. A star next to the name indicates that the earthly remains of the fallen soldier were recovered at a later time.
Many of the graves at the cemetery are bedecked with flowers, brought by people who have adopted the grave of a fallen soldier and by doing so wish to express their thanks to the fallen soldiers and their surviving relatives. The carillon regularly plays the American as well as Dutch national anthem.
The Court of Honor is a place well worth remembering and visiting.