Remembering

James R. Bonner-my Uncle

James R. Bonner-my Uncle

On Memorial Day, which is May 30 here in the US, I started this post. Life intervened soon after and I did not finish. Still, though the day of remembrance is past, remembering those gone from our midst is always timely. On this holiday I was thinking about my uncle, James R. Bonner, who died 6 April, 1945, within the month before the end of WWII; he was buried at the American Cemetery at Margraten, in the Netherlands. The first Memorial Day we lived in Belgium we drove to Margraten and attended the very impressive Memorial ceremony and celebration. I grew up knowing my uncle was killed at the very end of the war and was buried in the Netherlands. I had also often heard stories of the young girl who came to visit my Grandmother and whose family cared for Uncle Jim’s grave. How surprised I was to see an article in the local newspaper about The Foundation for Adopting Graves, a program which still encourages Dutch citizens to adopt the grave sites.  Another program,  The Faces of Margraten, works towards connecting each soldier’s face with his/her grave site, thus paying respect to and honoring the “fallen” for their sacrifice.

Out of curiosity, I looked up my uncle on the Faces of Margraten website. Much to my surprise, there he was, including a couple of photos I had never seen. What surprised me the most was how touched I was when I saw the page. Again, today when I was checking some information on the Adopt a Grave site page, I felt an enormous amount of love and respect for these people whom I do not know and who still, 71 years later, care for these grave sites. I wiped away a few tears, paused, breathed and consciously allowed the impact of seeing the page about my uncle swirl around me. The Dutch experienced a take-over by foreign troops during WWII  and still, all these years later, take the time to honor those who died freeing their country. My uncle was just 26 and newly married. As I paused, I considered the impact of this sacrifice and I wondered if members of the next generation (that would be mine) take time to remember and think about the history leading to that war. I think about that history and listen to news in the present political climate and I know we must not let the history of WWII be repeated. Americans, I believe, have lived with a false sense of security within our geographic isolation. Today we cannot afford that luxury. The freedoms we have enjoyed require our active participation and our being globally informed voters.

A few days ago I ventured up to the International Rose Garden here in Portland. There, during WWII, thousands of roses were planted for safe keeping. I think it is fitting to end this small tribute to my uncle here. As I sat in this garden, I was remembering that 3 of my uncles my mother and my father were in the Army, two uncles, my mother, and my dad during WWII and my 3rd uncle immediately following. As I sat amongst the row upon row of roses, I thought about how our Dutch friends, who care about row upon row of white crosses, are bringing Faces to Margraten. Thank you with all my heart!

Pause-Breathe-Onward with Gratitude-Not forgetting

American Cemetery- The Netherlands

American Cemetery- The Netherlands

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2 comments on “Remembering
  1. Dear Fay, what a touching story. Last year when I visited my home country I also visited Margraten. I was so impressed and speechless and grateful for all these young men, who sacrificed so much to liberate Holland and Eirope. I grew up in the Netherlands in peace and freedom, every year remembering and honoring all war victims and our liberators.. Thank you for this beautiful tribute to your uncle!

    • Thank you for your comment, Berry! I was particularly struck this time while reading about Margraten. We are experiencing scary times; seeing all those crosses. Stunning, on many levels!
      I appreciate so much my opportunities living in Europe, having so many International friends, including you. My heart is breaking with current events! And, oh boy, I do have to remember to breathe and just move forward, with hope!

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