Do you have a loved one buried at the Ardennes American Military Cemetery in Belgium?

Patton's grave was originally among all of the others. however it was moved because all of the other graves were being trampled on by those that wanted to see Patton's grave

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6BX5wnmxo8[/ame]
 
Wally West said:
Wow, thanks. The wonder of the internet is that is will never let history die
Click to expand...

Yes, but is seems as if the younger generation is to stupid to remember what they were taught in school. Most can't tell you who won the Civil War, they best if the can is to tell you it was the Americans.
 
Mission accomplished...

Monday, May 1, was a chilly and raw day in Western Europe. My German friend Andreas and I arrived at the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial around noon, and we visited the Memorial Chapel, and seven graves. Among them was the grave of pharman's uncle, Sergeant William R. Jarrett...

It was heartwarming to me to read the logbook in the Visitors Center, and see the comments from Belgians and others expressing thanks for what we did for them all those years ago...

The below photos show the Memorial Chapel, inscriptions inside it, and the cemetery...
 

Attachments

  • 20170501_122643_001.jpg
    20170501_122643_001.jpg
    97.6 KB · Views: 19
  • 20170501_123305.jpg
    20170501_123305.jpg
    54.9 KB · Views: 19
  • 20170501_130146.jpg
    20170501_130146.jpg
    59.8 KB · Views: 20
  • 20170501_130208.jpg
    20170501_130208.jpg
    62.6 KB · Views: 19
  • 20170501_130826.jpg
    20170501_130826.jpg
    149.4 KB · Views: 18
Last edited:
I visited Sergeant William R. Jarrett's grave, and at the request of our member pharman, who is his nephew, I buried a small prayer stone with the names of their family members at the base of the cross marking the grave.

Afterward, we encountered the Deputy Superintendent of the Cemetery (who'd not been there when we arrived) and at his suggestion, we went back to the graves we'd visited so he could highlight the lettering with wet sand, and place American and Belgian flags by the marker so I could take a better photo.

It is always sadly inspiring to visit these cemeteries, and reflect upon the sacrifices these young men made to liberate the people of Europe from the scourge of Nazi tyranny...God bless them.
 

Attachments

  • DSC00116.jpg
    DSC00116.jpg
    95.3 KB · Views: 24
  • DSC00122.jpg
    DSC00122.jpg
    167.8 KB · Views: 24
  • DSC00124.jpg
    DSC00124.jpg
    110.2 KB · Views: 23
  • DSC00173.jpg
    DSC00173.jpg
    89.9 KB · Views: 25
  • DSC00175.jpg
    DSC00175.jpg
    89.5 KB · Views: 20
Last edited:
I received photos from Beemerguy53

pharman said:
This is a extremely nice thing you are offering to do...I would like to ask you to visit my Uncle's grave there at Ardennes American Cemetery. His name is William R. Jarrett. I have never been there, but hope to someday. He was a Technical Sergeant in the US Army Air Force 613th Bomber Squadron 401st Bomber Group. His plane was shot down. He gave his parachute to the pilot that could not locate his, as the plane was going down. By the time my Uncle located another parachute, it was too late. He died there February 22, 1944. I will PM you particulars about his cemetery location. Once again...thank you so much for doing this for me...Roger
Click to expand...

I just received photos of my Uncle Bill's grave from Giff (Beemerguy53)...I am truly overwhelmed with emotion right now...what he did for me and my family is truly special (the pictures and the prayer he said at Uncle Bill's grave and burying the prayer stone)...Giff is a special person and I am honored to call him my friend...God bless you Giff...Roger
 
Last edited:
pharman said:
I just received photos of my Uncle Bill's grave from Giff (Beemerguy53)...I am truly overwhelmed with emotion right now...what he did for me and my family is truly special (the pictures and the prayer he said at Uncle Bill's grave and burying the prayer stone)...Giff is a special person and I am honored to call him my friend...God bless you Giff...Roger
Click to expand...

Roger, it was my honor and privilege to pay my respects to your Uncle, and to the other servicemen buried at Ardennes.

I've been interested in the 8th Air Force and B-17s since I was a little boy (my sons heard all the time when they were growing up that it's the best airplane ever built) and I have tremendous admiration for the young men who crewed them, and who flew into mortal danger to attack German targets and shorten the war.

Your Uncle's story is especially moving. On only his 4th mission, with his bomber shot down and the crew bailing out, he gave his parachute to his pilot...what a noble, selfless, gallant thing to do! I sincerely hope that pilot lived a good long life, and I hope he said a prayer of thanks every day of his life for the gift your Uncle gave him.

I was humbled to stand at the grave of such a man...thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

oldbrownhat
Two teens get a tombstone for Civil War soldier
Replies
9
Views
623
oldbrownhat
oldbrownhat
Beemerguy53
Upcoming visit to the Luxembourg American Cemetery...
Replies
12
Views
839
Rudi
R
G
In memory of John A. Hildebrand, KIA Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941
Replies
5
Views
467
rwsmith
rwsmith
PALADIN85020
I am a proud American...
Replies
18
Views
611
LoboGunLeather
LoboGunLeather
A
Archaeologist and question on .38 revolver
2
Replies
24
Views
2K
DWalt
DWalt

Latest posts

Back
Top