US Overseas Military Cemeteries

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By David & Kathy Hutchinson

While my daughter was attending Washington State University (WSU), she participated in the Study Abroad program.  She did the fall semester in Antibes (Nice) and the spring semester in Paris.  Being a good father, I had to go visit while she was there.

Having been to Paris before, I wanted to see some other part of  France. I decided to visit Normandy Beach because of all the war films I had seen when I was growing up.

Every June 6th, I watch the dignitaries visiting the cemetery at Normandy Beach,on the news.  So I did some research on going to visit that cemetery.  While I was researching, I found out that there are many US Military cemeteries and monuments throughout the world.  They are operated by the American Battle Monuments Commission.  There are 26 American cemeteries and 30 federal memorials throughout the world.  Here are the ones I visited so far.

While in Normandy,we stayed at B&B close to Omaha Beach.  At the B&B, they had many photos of the local area of what it looked like after D-Day.  There was nothing vertical standing in any of the photos.  All the trees, bushes, and buildings were leveled.

Reflecting pool at Normandy Cemetery
The Normandy American Cemetery is near Omaha Beach, 9380 people are buried there. This is the cemetery that you see the most on the news.

Pointe du Hoc

Eight miles to the west is the Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument.  This is where the U.S. Army Rangers scaled a 100 foot cliff and seized German bunkers. You are able to walk around the bunker and bomb craters there.

My wife standing in a bomb crater.
A few miles to the east of of Omaha Beach is Juno Beach.  This is where the Canadians landed on D-Day.  The Canadians built the Juno Beach Centre museum, which is dedicated to all the Canadians lost during War War II.

The next time we went to Europe, we got to visit two more American cemeteries. In Belgium, we went to the Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial. The cemetery is located outside the town of Waregem.  We took the train to Waregem and then had to walk about two miles through the beautiful town to get the the cemetery. 

Flanders Field Entrance
The Flanders Field Cemetery isn't that big, at 6 acres and 368 burials. But it was the most manicured cemetery that I've every been to.
Flanders Field Cemetery
While we were staying in Luxembourg City, we went to the Luxembourg American Cemetery.  It's a short bus ride and then about a mile walk to get to. This cemetery is where General George S. Patton is buried.
Entrance to the Luxembourg Cemetery

General George S. Patton
If you ever travel overseas, it's worth a visit to go to an American military cemetery. They are located in 17 countries. There is one in New Zealand, Cuba, and even one in Mexico City.  Also, if you ever go to Normandy, watch the movie The Longest Day before going. This movie shows you the historical events and locations of D-Day and it will prepare you for what you will be seeing in Normandy.
David Hutchinson

Comments

  1. ValorieAugust 5, 2019 at 9:55 PM

    Thank you so much, David. My husband's uncle was killed in action in Italy, and he's buried there. As far as I know, none of his family has yet been able to visit. I hope one day to honor him by laying flowers on that grave.

    ReplyDelete

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