June 29 2017 Luxembourg - American Cemetery

Evan had to fly to London today for business, and Jess decided to go with him to spend some adult time together. We decided today would be the perfect day to visit the American cemetery in Luxembourg. It's ironic that a place of such beauty and peacefulness was created by the horrors and brutality of the war here.

After our visit to the cemetery, we took a nice long walk in the lower part of the city, past the skate park and children's park. This is the same walk we did with Evan & Jess when we first arrived. It is such a beautiful and peaceful walk. Jude enjoyed the children's park. Next up was a stop at Pizza Hut. There are some really nice restaurants here, but the options are a bit limited when you have a small child!

Jeri enjoyed her Grandma time by giving Jude a bath before putting him down for bed. Then it was a cold beer and glass of wine after a fun and busy day!

Luxembourg American Cemetery

The cemetery consists of 17 acres of manicured lawn surrounded by 33.5 acres of woods. Entering through the gates, the visitor will see the impressive memorial chapel encompassed by a stone terrace directly in front of them. The chapel includes massive bronze doors embellished with gold leaf cartouches depicting military “virtues”, a sparkling mosaic ceiling and a colorful stained glass window showcasing the Army insignias representing the men and woman that rest in the cemetery.  On the lower level of the terrace, two pylons face each other across a quote by Eisenhower about the sacrifice of military members.  The pylons display the battle movements in the western European Operations (on the right) and those related to the Battle of the Bulge (on the left). On the reverse of the maps, 371 names of those missing in action are inscribed. Nineteen bronze rosettes identify men who have been recovered since the inscriptions were made and now rest in known graves. The visitor center, where information and brochures are attainable, is to the left as the visitor enters the front gates.

Sloping away from the terrace is the cemetery where 5076 service members lie, many of whom lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge and in the advance to the Rhine River. The design is a softly curving fan shape consisting of nine sections interspersed with four fountains, majestic trees, and expansive rose and rhododendron beds. It is a befittingly tranquil final resting place for these Americans who gave their all.

The cemetery was established on December 29, 1944 by the 609th Quartermaster Company of the U.S. Third Army while Allied Forces were stemming the enemy's desperate Ardennes Offensive, one of the critical battles of World War II. The city of Luxembourg served as headquarters for Gen. George S. Patton's U.S. Third Army. Gen. Patton is buried here.

Memorial Chapel

Jewish Headstone

The headstone for the Jewish soldiers is a star of David.

No explanation needed

Jeri & Jude

The grounds are beautiful and manicured.

Water Fountain

Dolphins in the Fountain

It's almost as if he realizes the importance of this place.

General George Patton

General Patton died in Germany on December 21, 1945, as a result of injuries from an automobile accident twelve days earlier. He requested to be buried with his men at the Luxembourg cemetery.

A walk in the park.

A walk in the park.

Fun in the Park

Grandma Time

More Grandma Time

Jeri wanted a picture with these beautiful vases

Modern Sculpture

Fountain in the Park

Jude in his new pajamas after Grandma gave him a bath.