2. Adoption of the names on the Walls of the Ereplein (Honour Square)
5. Limburg’s tribute to ‘Buddy’ Dukeman
6. For the son and husband who never returned
7. Limburg Award for Margraten
8. Foundation decorated with medal
9. “Concert for the Missing” very successful
10. Response History Project Adoption Scheme
11. MARGRATEN MEMORIAL CONCERT 2011
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The foundation is particularly pleased that all 8301 graves have been adopted. Herewith the adoption register is completely updated. We consider it not to be a secret that volunteers of our foundation have worked thousands of hours in order to achieve this. Yet the result speaks for it self and therefore we are very proud. The news that all graves have been adopted does not indicate that graves will no longer become ‘vacant’ for adoption. Nothing is less true. The reality shows us that with e.g. the death of an adoptive father, emigration etc. graves, less frequently, will become ‘vacant’ again. Signing up for the adoption of graves is still possible. When no graves are available when you sign up, your name will be put on a waiting list. Signing up is possible by following the procedure described in the next article.
2. Adoption of the names on the Walls of the Ereplein (Honour Square)
Now that all graves have been adopted, the foundation –in negotiation with the board of the American Cemetery- has brought up the idea for those interested to offer the possibility of adopting a name on the walls (either side) of the Ereplein, the so-called Walls of the Missing.
In these walls the names are carved of 1722 fallen American liberators of the land and air forces, whose bodies have never been recovered or not yet identified. The so-called missing. A star with their name indicates that they have been found at a later stage. For the adoption of a name the standard rules apply. The adoptive father will receive a certificate with personal details of the missing one. We are happy that already over 300 adoptive fathers have taken the step to do so.
If you are interested in adopting a name, please turn to:
st.adoptie.graven@margraten.nl or PO Box 22, 6269 ZG Margraten, the Netherlands (FAO the foundation)
Captain J.J. Shomon, founder of the American Cemetery and captain in the US Army Department of War Cemeteries, recorded the history of the founding of the American Cemetery in Margraten in his book "Crosses in the Wind".
In his book, Captain Shomon explains why he chose Margraten for the site of the cemetery at the time. The book also describes the establishment of the Citizens’ Committee of Margraten at the time. As mentioned above, this committee was the forerunner of the present Stichting Adoptie Graven Amerikaanse Begraafplaats Margraten.
The book, containing 200 pages and illustrated with many unique photographs, is available at the Rabobank Heuvelland, at the Margraten branch (tel. +31 (0)43-4505600).
The price on location is €13.50 per book. You can also order the book via the secretariat of the Foundation, in which case the price is €16.50 per book, including postage. Unfortunately, the only edition still available is the Dutch language one.
The program will be announced in due time
5. Limburg’s tribute to ‘Buddy’ Dukeman
Yesterday, during the annual Memorial Day celebration, the victims of World War II were given tribute at the American Cemetery in Margraten. The previous day, a ceremony on a smaller scale took place to honor one of the fallen soldiers: William Dukeman.
Limburg’s tribute to ‘Buddy’ Dukeman
By STEFAN GILLISSEN (source: Dagblad de Limburger (Limburg Daily News))
MARGRATEN/HETEREN
Anyone who has watched the war series, Band of Brothers, knows quite well what Easy Company refers to. In World War II, this élite group was part of the 101st American Airborne Cavalry Division. Easy was in the thick of it at the start of operation Overlord, which marked the beginning of the liberation of Europe. The company also took part in Operation Market Garden, the battle for the bridges near Nijmegen.
William ‘Buddy’ Dukeman was one of the men of Easy Company. During the invasion of Normandy, he was wounded by a bullet which penetrated his jaw. Although face-to-face with death, Dukeman was primarily concerned with his appearance. Described by his buddies as a playboy, he was afraid that the scars would make him less attractive to women.
Dukeman managed to survive for quite some time at the front, and on 5 October 1944 he ended up at the village of Heteren in the Dutch region known as Gelderland. As it happened, the 35 men of Easy Company ran into resistance and were ordered to attack. They were soon in very close contact with two German companies.
The German forces lose 50 men, almost a third of their total, and panic breaks out. Easy suffers one loss. A shell fragment penetrates Dukeman’s heart. The battle and his death were filmed in Crossroads, part five of the TV series, Band of Brothers. Dukeman’s final sacrifice, by the way, was not in vain. The action he participated in and which cost him his life is still the subject of exercises in the American army. At the West Point army training center, ‘Heteren’ has not been forgotten. It is still used as a classic example of a surprise attack. Corporal Dukeman was buried in Gelderland. It was not until 1949, that Dukeman’s remains found their final resting place at the American Cemetery in Margraten. The corporal remained there in relative anonymity until Peter Schroyen (37) from Simpelveld adopted his grave. "As a child, I was already very interested in World War II, particularly in the Airborne Division. When I read the book, Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose, I decided to adopt Dukeman’s grave."
Investigations carried out by the Stichting Adoptie Graven Amerikaanse Begraafplaats Margraten revealed that there were no obstacles to allowing Schroyen to adopt the grave. "I had two wishes. First, I wanted to adopt the grave. Second, I wanted to contact the surviving relatives of Dukeman to tell them that there was somebody taking care of his grave."
While searching for information on Dukeman, Schroyen came across Bernie van Doorn (25) from Hilversum. Van Doorn shared Schroyen’s fascination for Dukeman and at the end of 2005 he established a monument for Dukeman in Heteren.
Together, both men continued searching for surviving relatives. They found Dukeman's sister-in-law and several surviving nephews and nieces. As a result of these contacts, two nephews and a niece were present at a flag ceremony in Margraten last Saturday. During the ceremony, a flag which had been laid on Dukeman's casket six decades ago was officially presented to his surviving family. The tribute earned during World War II by Dukeman - who was also decorated with two Purple Hearts - has finally been given.
For the son and husband who never returned
by Stefan Gillissen (source: Dagblad de Limburger).
Foundation for adopting graves from Margraten receives Limburg Award.
A young boy, not older than 10, walks with his father alongside the Walls of the Missing at the American Cemetery in Margraten. A boasting little fellow. When father and son are on top of the staircase and thousands of white crosses become visible, the son grabs his father’s hand. Dad, no. This is not possible. This cannot be. Those are not all people, right?
The visit was for that exact reason, the father later explains. To educate his son about the retardation of WWII. This can be done in school, however a visit to the cemetery is much more effective. Reality lies here at your feet.
Now, what is the meaning for this anecdote? The work of the foundation. They make it possible for thousands of parents and children to physically, and thus everlasting, be reminded of a war that should never be forgotten. Correction: the fallen ones that should never be forgotten. Yesterday, the foundation received the Limburg Award for their efforts. It is an annual decoration for a person, company or institution which have remarkably exceeded in the promotion of the province Limburg. So it is logical for the foundation to win. It has been able to put Margraten and ‘het Heuvelland’ on the map even far outside our borders (like the USA).
In fact the work of the foundation started in 1944. Adolf Hitler tried, in a last attempt, to change course. With an unprecedented hard and bitter battle (severe winter) 19,400 American and British soldiers lost their lives. 15,652 German men never returned home due to it. The only up-side to this was that after losing this strike Hitler’s Empire of a thousand years soon would come to an end.
More than 60 years later 8,301 soldiers are buried in Margraten, of whom many lost their lives in the Belgian Ardennes. End of 1944, beginning of 1945 the numbers doubled, but many relatives chose to have their husband’s or son’s bodies to be returned to and buried in the USA.
While the cemetery was still under construction, a civilian committee had already started with the adoption of the graves. This to ensure that the graves of the fallen soldiers would receive visitors and that flowers would be placed on their graves. An initiative that has not yet been matched. The number of applications for adoption soon reached thousands. This out of gratitude for the ultimate offer that young American soldiers (and their surviving relatives) had given for freedom.
In 2002 the foundation took over the work of the civilian committee. Despite all efforts by, among others, Felix Prevoo from Margraten, to keep the adoption register up to date, many of the adoptive fathers appeared to have ceased, moved or to be divorced during the 60 years. Of the 6,000 letters that were sent, 4,000 were returned to sender. Finally after years of hard work , adoptive fathers for all graves have been found. Yesterday the foundation was able to tell that a part of the task has been completed during the award show at the Castle Hoensbroek. Part 1? For sure. Also 1,700 men, whose names are carved on the Walls of the Missing, earn the attention of the people.
President Fien Opreij of the foundation receives the Limburg Award from the 2007 laureate, director John Floore of the Limburg Symphonic Orchestra. Photograph Arnoud Nilwik.
HOENSBROEK; The ProTeam Limburg has handed out the Limburg Award for the fifteenth time. This year it went to the foundation. Besides a sculpture by expressive artist Appie Drielsma, the foundation received a cheque worth € 5,000. According to tradition it is costumed to hand the cheque over to charity, however considering the line of work the foundation is in, they are allowed to keep it themselves. Despite this, president Fien Opreij announced that a greater part would go to the American organisation ‘American WWII Orphans Network’. This organisation enables 183,000 fatherless children to find comfort and support with each other. On top of that they organise trips to American cemeteries in Europe.
Opreij had more news.
Now that all graves have been adopted the foundation wishes to commemorate the missing men, whose names are carved on the Walls of the Missing, in a similar way. Among the first, members of the Jack Million Band have adopted a couple of liberators. Over 1,000 names have already been allocated. During an emotional speech, Fien Opreij thanked Felix Prevoo, whom for years took care of the adoption register for the American cemetery in Margraten. In 2002 the foundation took over that task. The ProTeam was founded by a number of enthusiastic cyclists. The main goal is to support social activities on bike. This is done, among other things, by raising money during the tour Valkenburg-Clervaux-Valkenburg. In total almost € 600,000 was raised. The ProTeam donated app. € 40,000 to different charities last year. The foundation ‘Kompas’ (arranges concerts for the physically/mentally challenged) received a donation. Furthermore the foundation ‘Gered Gereedschap’ (Saved Tools - a team that collects, cleans and makes old tools suitable for usage during small projects in third world countries). Also the foundation ‘Afasie Midden-Limburg’ received financial aid. They support people, suffering from a speech impediment caused by brain damage, by helping them communicate by means of computer programmes.
8. Foundation decorated with medal
The members of the Foundation Adoption Graves American Cemetery Margraten were very pleased with receiving the medal of the council Margraten on Saturday September 13th. The decoration was handed by mayor Van Beers to the president of the Foundation, Mrs. Opreij-Bendermacher. This all happened at the beginning of the “Concert for the Missing”.
The mayor praised the Foundation for all her activities which have been taken up since the foundation in 2002. Updating the adoption register, taken over from the Civil Committee Margraten, was a major job. The fact, that they have achieved to have all 8,301 graves of the American Cemetery adopted, has left a profound impression everywhere. The medal was accepted with great honour by Mrs. Opreij.
9. “Concert for the Missing” very successful
The “Concert for the Missing”, that took place at the Amerikaplein (America Square) on Saturday September 13th, can be honoured with the title “very successful”. Despite the bad weather over 1,000 visitors witnessed the fantastic Glenn Miller repertoire of the Jack Million Band. That conductor Jack Coenen did not leave anything to chance became obvious by the immense applause, which they received at the end of the concert.
The concert is an initiative by the council Margraten, supported by our Foundation. With the concert the starting signal was given for the adoption of the names of American liberators mentioned on the Walls of the Missing of the American Cemetery in Margraten. During a speech at the beginning of the concert, Mrs. Opreij explained how the adoption of the names came about. The text of this speech can be read below. During the concert footage was shown of American statements, in which family members of missing soldiers explained what the Walls of the Missing meant to them. This footage was taken during a participation of the Jack Million Band at the Glenn Miller Birthplace Festival in Clarinda (Iowa) a couple of months ago. Therefore it does not come as a surprise that many names on the Walls of the Missing from that particular State have been adopted by members of that band.
Speech by the president of the Foundation Adoption Graves American Cemetery Margraten – Mrs. F. Opreij-Bendermacher – during the start of the Concert for the Missing at the Amerikaplein (America Square) on Saturday September 13th by the Jack Million Band.
Dear persons present,
For this specific concert of tonight I wish to pin on a batch displaying a photo of Walter Pete. Who is Walter Pete?
Walter left Indiana early 1944 to liberate Europe from its German occupier. Back then he was a 27-year-old man in the prime of his life. Walter was married to Betty and they both had a 4-month-old daughter. It became a never-ending goodbye. In the same year on October 29th he lost his life during the battles taking place in the surroundings of Geilenkirchen, Germany. Because his identity could never be established, his name –as well as those of 1,721 other country members- was placed on the ‘Walls of the Missing’ at the cemetery in Margraten.
With the occasion of Memorial Day 2008 a delegation of AWON – American WWII Orphan Network for widows and orphans whose husband or father are buried in Europe / Margraten – visited Margraten.
Among the delegation was the elderly wife of Walter Pete and his 60-year-old daughter Diana. Mrs. Pete told us about the insecurity in which she lived for many years and about the time she lived between hope and fear. Did Walter die, or was he taken captive (POW) and deported to Eastern Europe? Did he lose his memory caused by the war, did he wonder through Europe? Questions that kept hold of her for years.
After the AWON-delegation returned back to the States, her daughter sent an e-mail expressing her mother’s gratitude, knowing that there are people in Margraten that still honour her missing husband occasionally by placing flowers. It gave her life after 60 years a positive turn.
The meeting with Walter Pete’s wife and their daughter Diana was a sign for the Foundation, that we should not forget the adoption of the fallen liberators on the “Walls of the Missing”. Therefore we are very pleased, that over 300 names have already been adopted.
Are you interested or do you require more information on adopting names on the “Walls of the Missing” please turn to the booth of the Foundation present here at the Amerikaplein (America Square).
On behalf of the Foundation, I wish you all a pleasant evening with the beautiful Glenn Miller music which will be performed by the Jack Million Band.
I thank you all for your attention.
10. Response History Project Adoption Scheme
Barely two months ago the Foundation was kind enough to use its annual newsletter to call on adopters to participate in my book project on the adoption scheme.
I would like to use this website to express my deep gratitude to the many people who have already filled out my questionnaire. The community of adopters should be genuinely proud of the massive and enthusiastic fashion in which they have responded to the call. At this very moment no less than 900 replies have been received via e-mail and regular mail. A truly remarkable result!
The participants in the project represent all walks of life and every age group and range from the governor of Limburg province to schoolchildren (who received a little help from their parents). Though most of them are from the south of the province, many are from across the length and breadth of the Netherlands and some are American, Belgian, British, and German nationals. A perfect illustration of the tolerance that this community exudes in response to the war that has given Margraten such a unique character.
The replies vary from succinct answers to elaborate and often very emotional testimonies (often backed up with additional documentation). The adopters will understand that it requires time to carefully analyze all of these responses and that it will prove impossible to send a word of personal thanks to each and every one of them. Hence this message. Again, to all those kind enough to have participated: my heartfelt thanks!
Professor Dr. Peter Schrijvers
The University of New South Wales
Sydney, Australia
11. MARGRATEN MEMORIAL CONCERT 2011
On Sunday 4th of September, for the sixth consecutive time, there will be a Memorial Concert on the American Cemetery in Margraten. This time however it will not be a Requiem but Ludwig von Beethoven’s MISSA SOLEMNIS in D. grt. opus 123 by the Limburg Symphony Orchestra conducted by Roberto Rizzi-Brignoli with the Brabant Choir (Conductor: Louis Buskens) and four soloists (soprano: Kelly God / mezzo-soprano: Mirjam Schreur / tenor: Yves Saelens / bass: Math Dirks). For further information www.margrateneerbetoon.nl.
Although it is a free concert, the cost of orchestra, choir, soloists and facilities are enormous. The Margraten Tribute Foundation is doing a good job financing this concert through contributions from the Limburg Province, the municipality Eijsden-Margraten and several funds and sponsors. There have also been donations by the Friends of the Limburg Symphony Orchestra society and the so-called Club of 500 and Club of 100. But nevertheless every donation is more than welcome because without sufficient funding the Margraten Memorial Concert might not take place in the coming years.
Become contributor and “Friend of the Margraten Memorial Concert”
You too can become a contributor! Benefactors, who donate € 25 or more, will become a “Friend of the Margraten Memorial Concert” and will receive two guaranteed seats for the concert. In that case, don’t forget to send us your address at info@margrateneerbetoon.nl as soon as you have remitted your donation to account number 122606620 of the Tribute Foundation. Two weeks prior to the concert you will receive the tickets for the two reserved seats from the Margraten Tribute Foundation.