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The Faces of Margraten

Published May 5, 2015

Every marble headstone and every name on the Wall of the Missing at an ABMC cemetery represents a person who gave the ultimate sacrifice. These people were fathers, mothers, brothers, uncles, sons, and daughters. The Faces of Margraten, an initiative created by a Dutch organization known as the Foundation United Adopters American War Graves, aims to share the faces of those buried or memorialized at the cemetery.

From May 2 through May 5, more than 3,000 photos were placed next to headstones and the Wall of the Missing at Netherlands American Cemetery. 22-year-old Sebastiaan Vonk, who is the chairman and founder of the organization, shared remarks during the opening ceremony on May 2. During this ceremony, Adam Sterling, Deputy Chief of Mission U.S. Embassy, and Ger Koopmans, Deputy Governor of the Province of Limburg, also delivered remarks.

Thousands of visitors have visited the cemetery in the past few days to see the photos, and honor our fallen.

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About ABMC

The American Battle Monuments Commission operates and maintains 26 cemeteries and 31 federal memorials, monuments and commemorative plaques in 17 countries throughout the world, including the United States. 

Since March 4, 1923, the ABMC’s sacred mission remains to honor the service, achievements, and sacrifice of more than 200,000 U.S. service members buried and memorialized at our sites. 

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