U.S. SENATORS THANK BELGIAN CITIZENS FOR CARING FOR U.S. GRAVES
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| An unknown member of the American Legion holding a flag at one of Saturday's memorial services in Belgium. |
May 27, 2006
Jeff Schrade (202)224-9126
(Maastricht, Netherlands) "The American men and women who fought to free Europe in World War I and World War II deserve our respect and remembrance, and that is why we are here today," said U.S. Senator Larry Craig Saturday as he spoke at Memorial Day events at the Ardennes American Cemetery and the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Belgium.
The two cemeteries contain the remains of more than 13,000 Americans – many of whom died in the famous Battle of the Bulge, a battle many consider the largest land battle Americans ever fought. During the siege in the winter of 1944-45, U.S. forces repelled three Germany army attacks in one of the coldest, snowiest winters on record. Many of their remains were never recovered or identified.
"Over 60 years ago, thousands of brave American souls fought and died near where we are now gathered. Their mission was to subdue an evil dictator and to liberate the people of Europe," said Craig. "Many of them gave their all and they remain here, forever."
At least forty of them were from Craig’s home state of Idaho, including Carl Skans whose grave Craig discovered while walking through the Henri-Chapelle cemetery.
"We stand here today at the grave a young man from my state, and I am humbled that he died to make me and others free. It would be fascinating to find out more about who he was and where he lived in Idaho," Craig said. "It’s fortunate to know that his grave is being so well cared for."
Locals in the village have adopted many of the grave sites – as if the American dead were members of the family – and on appropriate dates they leave flowers.
"The sacrifice of these lives on foreign soil, far away from their homes, is a testament to the kinship Americans have with freedom-loving citizens everywhere," said Craig, who made the trip to Belgium in his capacity as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Craig and other senators are making the trip to Europe and North Africa to view first hand the battlefield cemeteries the United States has in Belgium, Netherlands, France and Tunisia. U.S. Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA), Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Richard Burr (R-NC) are all members of the committee which has jurisdiction over funding for the cemeteries.
Each of the U.S. Senators thanked the locals for the care and concern they have shown for the American liberators who died more than sixty years ago.
When they arrived at the Ardennes American National Cemetery, the group was surprised to see former U.S. Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY) who is traveling in the area with his brother.
"We have three Chairmen of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee here today," Chairman Craig said. Sen. Simpson served as Chairman of the committee in the 1990's and Sen. Specter was the Chairman just before Sen. Craig was elected by his colleagues. Specter is now the chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.
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