I told you before about our visit to Margraten in the Netherlands. It is one of the cemeteries here in Europe for those soldiers who died to help bring peace to Europe in 1945. Yesterday we were able to attend a ceremony that is repeated each Memorial day weekend. We drove up to Margraten for the event. We watched as more than 70 wreaths were placed. There are 8,301 graves with crosses or Jewish stars and a wall with over 1700 names of men missing in action at the site. All in all, there were over 100 thousand young boys who gave their lives to liberate Europe. A representative for the Dutch Queen was present and President Woodland our Mission President was able to present a wreath in behalf of the church. The whole ceremony was very moving. It was great to hear the national anthem played and to see the U.S. flag waving along side the Dutch flag. Many of the people at the ceremony were native Europeans who are still very grateful for what the cemetery represents. I was surprised to see so many there. Sitting in the sun for over 4 hours was not great but I will always remember the day. At the end of the ceremony two fighter jets from the Dutch Air force flew directly over us followed by fighter jets from the U.S. Air force stationed in the U.K. performing the "missing man formation." It really took my breath away. I am so grateful for those young men and their families back home who made the ultimate sacrifice for Europe and especially our family.
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