Memorial Day in Margraten

Thanks Sister Langeveld for the beautiful description of our day.

The Dutch province of Limburg is in the extreme southeastern part of the Netherlands, close to the German and Belgian borders. There is a point where you can stand on the common borders of the three nations, something like the four corners area of the southwestern United States. Much of the Netherlands is below sea level and the phrase "flat as a pancake" originated here. The Limburg region is higher ground and is incredibly beautiful, with hills and thick forests.

The main purpose of our visit to the area was to attend special Memorial Day services at Margraten Cemetery, an American burial ground for 8,301 U.S. soldiers who gave their lives during the battles of WW II. They were all very young soldiers and 39 of them are buried by their siblings, who also died in battles throughout the region.

Our group had speciall VIP passes and parking because we were able to continue the tradition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints laying one of the wreaths during the ceremony. We were the only Church included in the laying of the wreaths.

Some of the other wreaths were laid by Japan, Poland, Germany, Great Britain, France, Netherlands, USA, and various military groups. Today, we are extremely proud of all the brave Americans who continue to serve our nation in the defense of freedom and against tyranny and terrorism.

Elder Brockbank and Elder Black are serving in Heerlen, only a few minutes from Margraten. They were touched by the love the Dutch people showed for these young American soldiers who gave their lives for the freedoms they enjoy today.

We all tried to stay dry, while having a tailgate lunch.

The sun came out just in time for a great picture of our group.

President Brubaker had a meeting with the stake presidents of Holland

and Belgium, and was not able to be with us.

There were many veterans dressed in the Dutch army uniform.

I wish we knew their stories.

Our group had speciall VIP passes and parking because we were able to continue the tradition of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints laying one of the wreaths during the ceremony. Elder Tibbetts was able to represent our church. We were the only Church included in the laying of the wreaths. Some of the other wreaths were laid by Japan, Poland, Germany, Great Britain, France, Netherlands, USA, and various military groups.

Fortunately, we were prepared with umbrellas because of the cloudy skies.

Even with our little "shelters", we were soaked to the skin!

Elder Black and Elder Brockbank took advantage of waiting for the ceremony to begin.

They were able to share the gospel with the woman on the bleacher seat directly behind them..

The elders were excited to give her a pass-a-long card when the ceremony was over.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was in attendance( that is the queen, front row with the traditional black hat,) as was the US Ambassador to the Netherlands whose parents are Dutch, and the Secretary of Veteran Affairs who represented Pres. Obama, and the Admiral of the Atlantic Fleet. The Queen was present because it was the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands this year
What a great privilege it was for us to witness such an event. It was very sobering to see so many white crosses in rows, each one representing a young life given in sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy.