Video

Audenaerde American Monument Dedication in 1937

The Audenaerde American Monument Dedication is one of thirteen segments featured in the "America Honors Her Heroes" film. The film is the Official Record of the Dedication Ceremonies in 1937 at the American World War Memorials and Cemeteries in Europe. It was taken under the auspices of the American Battle Monuments Commission.

Video Transcript: 

NARRATOR: Under the century old trees of the public park of the city of Audenaerde in Belgium, an attractive monument commemorates the achievements and sacrifices of the 40,000 American soldiers who served with the Belgian Army during the World War. The official visitors and distinguished guests arrive and take their places near the speaker’s table.

[music plays]

NARRATOR:  General Vertommen, commanding the province of East Flanders, makes an address during the course of which, he names all the numerous villages and towns in the vicinity captured by the American troops.

GENERAL VERTOMMEN: (indiscernible)… was sacred and the cause was just… (indiscernible).

NARRATOR: The dedicatory address is made by Mr. T.A. Ragor, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Disabled American Veterans of the World War, and a member of the American official delegation.

T. A. RAGOR: Let us nations and individuals alike, who believe in tolerance, stand together. I speak for my American comrades. I assure our Belgian and French friends on whose soil we fought with our allies, that the memories are not growing dimmer but stronger as time passes.

NARRATOR: The monument is unveiled during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner by the 2nd Belgian Infantry Regiment Band.

[music plays-American national anthem]

NARRATOR:  The ceremony concludes as schoolchildren, dressed in white, pay their tribute to the American heroes by laying wreaths and flowers on the monument.