Luxembourg American Military Cemetery

About 20 minutes outside of Luxembourg City there is a small American military cemetery. We could not pass up the opportunity to see it as the foreign cemeteries for Americans killed in war are absolutely beautiful. This one was set up the same way as Normandy. A small chapel to pray, a memorial with a bell tower, maps of the battle and row upon row of beautiful white marble crosses. This one did not disappoint. There are close to 6000 men buried here.
We also had another reason to come to this specific cemetery. General George Patton is buried here. He chose not to be buried in America but amongst his troops. He also could have received a huge burial plot and monument but again chose to have the same simple marble cross grave like everyone else. What an amazing general and leader. Justin loves Patton so this was a big deal to see his grave.
It was again cold when we arrived here and there was just one other family walking around so it was peaceful and serene much like the Bastogne monument was. And we arrived at noon right when the bell tower chimes were striking. Very eery. Then after the chimes stopped, the bells chimed "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" followed by "America the Beautiful." I was so overwhelmed, I started to cry and I could tell Justin was moved as well. We live on a base that does not fly the American flag so when you see it flying, hear these beautiful patriotic songs played and stare at marble crosses of men who sacrificed everything, you can not help but be proud of America.



The gates leading into the cemetery.


Looking out on the marble crosses from the memorial chapel.


General George Patton's grave with the memorial chapel in the background.


Had to post this pic of Justin in front of Patton's grave. So cool to see it!


Olivia walking among the crosses. We felt that these men probably don't have a lot of visitors given the location of the cemetery so we thought they would not mind a 2 year old's voice and the pitter patter of her feet on the ground. We also walked all the way back to the end of the cemetery and took time to look at the graves. As Justin said, "These guys probably don't have many people walk back here and deserve a visitor too." I could not agree more.

A grave of an unknown.

We found out that just down the road there was a German soldier cemetery as well for the men who died fighting here. I had to go and see it. As I told Justin, "These men deserve a visitor also. They died for their cause as well." I went alone.

The entrance to the cemetery.


A view of the entire cemetery. The American soldiers buried these men after the battle. There are almost 10,000 men buried here. They are buried 2 to a grave. I was the only one here. I imagine this cemetery is forgotten and not visited much.

The big cross memorial at the top of the cemetery. It seems that their military graves are designed the same. When we visited a WWI German cemetery a few years back, they had the same type of cross for the graves.

Someone had been here recently! They left flowers at the grave. This was one of only 2 graves that had anything.

Here is an example of 2 people buried per grave. One has a name, one is unknown.