The words above are engraved on one of the walls leading to the cemetery for US soldiers who perished while fighting in the Netherlands, primarily during the failed 'Operation Market Garden'.
Honestly, I've always considered myself to be a World War 2 history buff, but no books, no films, documentaries could ever capture the reality that hits you in the face when you actually visit one of the cemeteries. The magnitude is overwhelming when you look across the virtual sea of more than 8000 crosses. 
The first thing you see as you enter the monument is the diagr
ams and explanations of the battles themselves. The next thing you see are the 1700 names engraved in the stone walls lining both sides. The names are representative of those that were never found to bury. You walk around to the entrance of a tall monument and discover small room for prayer and contemplation. As you exit this room that when the overwhelming magnitude of the cost of war hits you. That's when you see a green lawn leading up to the American flag and on each side of this long field....rows and rows of crosses.
ams and explanations of the battles themselves. The next thing you see are the 1700 names engraved in the stone walls lining both sides. The names are representative of those that were never found to bury. You walk around to the entrance of a tall monument and discover small room for prayer and contemplation. As you exit this room that when the overwhelming magnitude of the cost of war hits you. That's when you see a green lawn leading up to the American flag and on each side of this long field....rows and rows of crosses. I remember several years ago when I had the good fortune to go to Hawaii, I was so excited th
at I was finally going to see Pearl Harbor...where everything started for the US. When you enter the Pearl Harbor Memorial on your way to the Arizona, the park rangers and US Sailors escort you first to a theater where you watch a film on the war and specifically its start...the surprise attack by the Japanese. As you watch this film, you slowly realize you're not really watching a film....you're actually watching footage that was shot during the attack. You almost have to look away as you see the ships and sailors in such peril. After the film, they take you by Navy ship to the Arizona itself. You can hear 'Amazing Grace' in the background as the ship docks. You also notice the sailors who guard the memorial as well as the sailors from the ship salute each and every time the ship arrives or exits. A salute that shows what true respect is. As you walk over the platform above the Arizona you start to look over the sides and start to realize what you are seeing. You watch the small oil droplets that are still rising to the top almost 70 years later. That's also when you realize there are men still trapped inside that ship. Overwhelming. You look at the wall with all the names of those resting inside the ship. Overwhelming.
at I was finally going to see Pearl Harbor...where everything started for the US. When you enter the Pearl Harbor Memorial on your way to the Arizona, the park rangers and US Sailors escort you first to a theater where you watch a film on the war and specifically its start...the surprise attack by the Japanese. As you watch this film, you slowly realize you're not really watching a film....you're actually watching footage that was shot during the attack. You almost have to look away as you see the ships and sailors in such peril. After the film, they take you by Navy ship to the Arizona itself. You can hear 'Amazing Grace' in the background as the ship docks. You also notice the sailors who guard the memorial as well as the sailors from the ship salute each and every time the ship arrives or exits. A salute that shows what true respect is. As you walk over the platform above the Arizona you start to look over the sides and start to realize what you are seeing. You watch the small oil droplets that are still rising to the top almost 70 years later. That's also when you realize there are men still trapped inside that ship. Overwhelming. You look at the wall with all the names of those resting inside the ship. Overwhelming.
Yesterday, I had that same overwhelming feeling looking across the sea of crosses. People say it makes you appreciate your life when you see something like this...that would be an understatement. It makes you appreciate just being alive to see it and understand it. Not to mention appreciating the liberties and freedoms we have and even more so those who have fought to give them to us. Must admit I swelled with pride and appreciation upon hearing 'God Bless America' being played as we left the cemetery.
