HENRI-CHAPELLE REMEMBRANCE OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE ..

On 21 July 2010, more or less a cloudy day, we head direction Henri - Chapelle.

The Henri-Chapelle Cemetery in the tiny village of Hombourg is one of the largest of American Military cemeteries in Europe with nearly 8,000 soldiers and airmen graves from the fighting in the Ardennes and northern Germany.

Getting closer to our destination we stop now and then to get a fresh noise and to enjoy the beautiful hilly countryside.

Suddenly I spot an abandoned burned out car along the road. I asked myself what a burned out car should be doing along the road (?) and so we decide to take a closer look. Following a small trail we find out that not only the red van but also a little chapel and two houses suffered from a fire. Looking and wandering around this scenery feels odd, strange even a little spooky.

Diagonally across the road a good many old black rubber tyres are lying on a black plastic sail, disgracing the environment ..

Once arrived on top of the hill, a golden eagle immediate atracts the attention to the entrance of the Henri-Chapelle Cemetery. We park our car and for a moment it appears we are the only visitors of this remarkable amazing beautiful well maintained place, 'but' we are not. Henri-Chapelle Cemetery is a true memorial of all those men who faught for us to gain our freedom and paid for it with their lives .. This place is a place to be remembered, not only to honour those who died in the name of freedom, but also to keep the remembrance alive that living in a free country is a privilege and should not be taken for granted..

By Monique Verstraeten