V.F.W. Post 1224 Honor Guards

Members

Chaplain:  

"HONOR GUARDS"

"SPECIAL  ANNOUNCEMENT"

GREAT LAKES NATIONAL CEMETERY
OFFICIAL OPENING

Flag Raising Ceremony 
October 15, 2005

Honorable Carl Levin
U.S. Senate

Great Lakes National Cemetery totals 544 acres and will serve the needs of
veterans and their families for the next 50 years.

For more information call (866) 348-8603. For more information about the
Department of Veterans Affairs, visit www.va.gov, or call (800) 827-1000 for
the benefits hotline.

"UP COMING EVENTS"

Chaplain's Corner 

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU

BURIAL & MEMORIAL BENEFITS SITE

CLICK HERE: www.cem.va.gov/

By Ted Sampley
In late 2003, I presented the Lenoir County, North Carolina, Board of Commissioners a resolution reaffirming "God as the foundation of America's moral code, laws and national heritage." It was passed in January 2004.

The resolution, which originated in Greene County Tennessee, was first approved by Greene County and several other Tennessee local governments. It is now being considered by local governments in North Carolina and other states. Plans are to have the resolution passed by all state governments and in the US Congress.

BE IT RESOLVED by the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate concurring, that the acknowledgment of God, especially in public institutions, coupled with our individual religious freedoms are the very Foundation of Our National Heritage, and therefore must be preserved.....

Blood Sacrifices of our Founding Fathers

When, on July 4, 1776, 56 American colonists rebelled against their king and fixed their signatures to a Declaration of Independence, they pledged their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor. They did so fortified with the belief that they were answering to a higher law than the King of England.

Thomas Jefferson underscored their thoughts when he wrote in the Declaration of Independence:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights."

Many of the signers of the Declaration paid dearly for signing.
Five were soon captured by the British and treated as traitors. They were tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

Today, Americans are forgetting the blood sacrifices of our Founding Fathers and are carelessly allowing the Judeo-Christian traditions that guided our Founders' to be literally deleted from our lives and history.

There are some in this country rallying under "separation of church and state" who are working relentlessly to delete all references to our Creator from American history.

George Washington's
"Prayer for the Nation"
written at Newburg, June 8, 1783, and sent to the governors of all the states.

Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy Holy protection: that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally, that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

George Washington, at the request of the Congress which passed the Bill of Rights, proclaimed a day of  "Public prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and single favors of Almighty God".

"It is rightly impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible."
George Washington

"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the invisible affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency.... We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of heaven cannot be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which heaven itself has ordained."
George Washington

"...Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou hast this day prescribed in Thy holy word...Direct me to the rue object, Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life. Bless, O Lord, all the people of this land." "Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that National Morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
George Washington

The Washington Farewell Address

In his Farewell Address, the first president advised his fellow citizens that "Religion and morality" were the "great Pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and citizens." "National morality," he added, could not exist "in exclusion of religious principle." "Virtue or morality," he concluded, as the products of religion, were "a necessary spring of popular government."
Source: Library Of Congress

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands.
Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts the y perform for us in our time of need.
I ask this in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Amen."

REMEMBRANCE of FAMILY and FRIENDS

"THE FINAL INSPECTION"

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~

Very Interesting Story, "TAPS"
Taps


If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps
were played; this brings out a new meaning of it.

Here is something Every American should know. Until I
read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true:

We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps".
It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes.

But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you
will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union
Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison 's Landing in Virginia .

The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.

During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay
severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate
soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back
for medical attention.

Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the
stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment.

When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was
actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went
numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier.

It was his own son.

The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out.

Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.

The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of
his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status.

His request was only partially granted.

The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a
funeral dirge for his son at the funeral.

The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate.

But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him
only one musician.

The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of
musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead
youth's uniform.

This wish was granted
The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" ... used at military funerals was born.

The words are:

Day is done. Gone the sun.
From the lakes. From the hills. 
From the sky. All is well.
Safely rest. God is nigh.
Fading light. Dims the sight.
And a star. Gems the sky.
 Gleaming bright. From afar.
Drawing nigh. Falls the night.
Thanks and praise. For our days.
Neath the sun. Neath the stars.
 Neath the sky. As we go.
This we know. God is nigh.

Remember Those Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country.

And also those presently serving in the Armed Forces..

The Commission administers, operates, and maintains twenty-four permanent American burial grounds on foreign soil.  Presently there are 124,917 U.S. War Dead interred at these cemeteries, 30,922 of World War I, 93,245 of World War II and 750 of the Mexican War.  Additionally 6,010 American veterans and others are interred in the Mexico City and Corozal American Cemeteries.

AISNE-MARNE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War I Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial lies south of the village of Belleau (Aisne), France six and one-half miles northwest of Chateau-Thierry. This forty-two acre cemetery, with its headstones lying in a sweeping curve, sits at the foot of the hill where stands Belleau Wood.  It contains the graves of 2,290 American Dead, most of whom fought in the vicinity and in the Marne valley in the summer of 1918.  From the hillside rises the memorial chapel decorated with sculptured and stained glass details of wartime personnel, equipment and insignia. On its interior walls are inscribed the names of 1,060 who gave their lives in the service of their country and who are resting in unknown graves.  The observation platform in the chapel tower affords excellent views of the battlefield.  During World War II, the chapel was damaged slightly by an enemy shell.

ARDENNES AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial is located near the southeast edge of Neupre (Neuville-en-Condroz), Belgium, twelve miles southwest of Liege. The approach drive leads to the memorial, a rectangular structure bearing on its facade a massive American eagle and other symbolic sculptures.  Within are the chapel, three large wall maps composed of inlaid marble, marble panels depicting combat and supply activities and other ornamental features.  Along the outside of the memorial, inscribed on granite slabs, are the names of 461 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified.  The cemetery, ninety acres in extent, contains the graves of 5,329 American military Dead, many of whom died in the "Battle of the Bulge."  Their headstones are aligned in straight rows that compose the form of a huge Greek cross on the lawn and are framed by tree masses. The cemetery served as the location of the Central Identification Point for the American Graves Registration Service of the War Department during much of the life of the Service.

BRITTANY AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial lies one and a half miles southeast of the village of St. James (Marche), France, twelve miles south of Avranches and fourteen miles north of Fougeres.At this cemetery, covering twenty-eight acres of rolling farm country near the eastern edge of Brittany, rest 4,410 American Dead, most of whom gave their lives in the Normandy and Brittany campaigns in 1944.  Along the retaining wall of the memorial terrace are inscribed the names of 498 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country but rest in unknown graves.   Brittany American Cemetery is located on the site of the temporary American St. James Cemetery, established on August 4, 1944 by the U.S. Third Army.   It marks the point where the American forces made their famous breakthrough from the hedgerow country of Normandy into the plains of Brittany during their offensive around Avranches.

BROOKWOOD AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War I Brookwood American Cemetery and Memorial is located southwest of the town of Brookwood, Surrey, England, about six miles north of Guildford and nine miles north-east of Aldershot.This small cemetery of four and a half acres lies within the large civilian cemetery of the London Necropolis Company and contains the graves of 468 American military Dead from World War I.   Close by are military cemeteries and monuments of the British Commonwealth and other Allied nations.Within the American cemetery the headstones are arranged in four plots, grouped about the flagpole.   The regular rows of white marble headstones on the smooth lawn are framed by masses of shrubs and evergreen trees which form a perfect setting for the chapel, a classic white stone building on the northwest side of the cemetery. The interior of the chapel is of tan-hued stone.   Small stained-glass windows light the altar, flags, and the carved cross above them.   On the walls within the chapel are inscribed the names of 563 Missing in Action, who gave their lives in the service of their country and whose graves are at sea.

CAMBRIDGE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial is located three miles west of the university city of Cambridge, England on Highway A-1303 and sixty miles north of London. The site, thirty and a half acres in extent, was donated by the University of Cambridge.  It lies on a north slope with wide prospect.  The west and south sides of the cemetery are framed by woodland.  There are 3,812 American military Dead buried there.  On the wall running from the entrance to the chapel are inscribed the names of 5,126 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified.  Most of these died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of Northwest Europe during World War II.

COROZAL AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The Corozal American Cemetery is located approximately three miles north of Panama City, Republic of Panama, just off Gaillard Highway between the Corozal Railroad Station and Fort Clayton.At this cemetery, sixteen acres in extent, are interred 5,197 American veterans and others.  A small memorial feature sits atop a knoll overlooking the graves area.  It consists of a paved plaza with a twelve-foot rectangular granite obelisk flanked by two flagpoles which fly the American and Panamanian flags.

EPINAL AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial is located approximately four miles southeast of Epinal (Vosges), France on Road D-157 in the village of Dinoze-Quequement.The cemetery, forty-eight acres in extent, is located on a plateau one hundred feet above the Moselle River in the foothills of the Vosges Mountains.  It contains the graves of 5,255 American military Dead. It was established in October 1944 by the 46th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company of the U.S. Seventh Army as it drove northward from southern France through the Rhone Valley into Germany.   The cemetery became the repository for the fatalities in the bitter fighting through the Heasbourg Gap during the winter of 1944-45

FLANDERS FIELD AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War I Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial lies on the southeast edge of the town of Waregem, Belgium, along the Lille-Gent AutoRoute E-17. The cemetery occupies a six-acre site.   Masses of graceful trees and shrubbery frame the burial area and screen it from the passing traffic.  At the ends of the paths leading to three of the corners of the cemetery are circular retreats with benches and urns.   At this peaceful location rest 368 American military Dead, most of whom gave their lives in liberating Belgium in World War I.   Their headstones are aligned in four symmetrical areas around the white stone chapel that stands in the center of the cemetery.On the side walls are inscribed the names of 43 of the Missing in Action who gave their lives in the service of their Country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified.

FLORENCE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Florence American Cemetery and Memorial is located on the west side of Via Cassia, about seven and a half miles south of Florence, Italy.The site covers seventy acres, chiefly on the west side of the Greve River.  The wooded hills which frame its west limit rise several hundred feet.  Between the two entrance buildings a bridge leads to the burial area with the headstones of 4,402 American military Dead, representing thirty-nine percent of the U.S. Fifth Army burials originally made between Rome and the Alps.  Most died in the fighting which occurred after the capture of Rome in June 1944. Included among them are casualties of the heavy fighting in the Apennines shortly before the war's end.  On May 2, 1945, the enemy troops in northern Italy surrendered.  At Florence, the headstones are arrayed in symmetrical curved rows upon the hillside.  Above the burial area on the topmost of three broad terraces stands the memorial marked by a tall pylon surmounted by a large sculptured figure.  The memorial has two open atria or courts joined by the Tablets of the Missing upon which are inscribed the names of 1,409 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves.

HENRI-CHAPELLE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial is located two miles northwest of the village of Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. At this cemetery, covering fifty-seven acres, rest 7,992 American military Dead, most of whom gave their lives during the advance of the American Armed Forces into Germany during World War II.  Their headstones are arranged in gentle arcs sweeping across a broad green lawn which slopes gently downhill.

LORRAINE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial is located three quarters of a mile north of the town of St. Avold (Moselle), France on Highway N-33. The cemetery, one hundred and thirteen acres in extent, contains 10,489 American Dead, the largest number in our World War II military cemeteries in Europe. Most of the Dead here were killed while driving the German forces from the fortress city of Metz toward the Siegfried Line and the Rhine River.  Initially, there were over 16,000 Americans interred in the St. Avold region, mostly from the U.S. Seventh Army's Infantry and Armored Divisions and its Cavalry Groups.   Their headstones are arranged in nine plots in a generally elliptical design extending over the beautiful rolling terrain of eastern Lorraine and culminating in a prominent overlook feature.   St. Avold served as a vital communications center for the vast network of enemy defenses guarding the western border of the Third Reich.On each side of the memorial, and parallel to its front, stretch the Tablets of the Missing on which are inscribed the names of 444 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country but whose remains were not recovered or identified.

LUXEMBOURG AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial lies just within the limits of Luxembourg City, about three miles east of the center of that capital. The cemetery, fifty acres in extent, is situated in a beautiful wooded area.  Not far from the entrance stands the white stone chapel sitting on a wide circular platform nearly surrounded by woods.  It is embellished with sculpture in bronze and stone, a stained glass window with American unit insignia, and a mosaic ceiling.  In front of the chapel at a lower lever are two large stone pylons with operations maps made of inlaid granites and accompanying inscriptions describing the achievements of American Armed Forces in the region during World War II.  Additionally these pylons are inscribed with the names of 371 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country and lie in unknown graves.  The cemetery was established on December 29, 1944 by the 609th Quartermaster Company of the U.S. Third Army while Allied Forces were stemming the enemy's desperate Ardennes Offensive, one of World War II's critical battles.  The city of Luxembourg served as headquarters for General George S. Patton's U.S. Third Army.  General Patton is buried at the Luxembourg American Cemetery.

MANILA AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Manila American Cemetery and Memorial is located about six miles southeast of Manila, Republic of the Philippines within the limits of Fort Bonifacio, the former U.S. Army Fort William McKinley. On rectangular Trani limestone piers within the hemicycles are inscribed the names of 36,282 of the Missing who gave their lives in the service of America and who rest in unknown graves.  Carved in the floors are the seals of the American states and its territories.The cemetery, one hundred and fifty-two acres in extent, is on a prominent plateau, visible at a distance from the east, south and west.  It contains the largest number of graves of our military Dead of World War II, a total of 17,206, most of whom gave their lives in the operations in New Guinea and the Philippines.  The headstones are aligned in eleven plots forming a generally circular pattern, set among masses of a wide variety of tropical trees and shrubbery.

MEUSE-ARGONNE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War I Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery and Memorial is located east of the village of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon (Meuse), France and about twenty-six miles northwest of Verdun. Meuse-Argonne, covering one hundred and thirty acres, holds the largest number of American Dead in Europe, a total of 14,246.  Most of those buried here gave their lives during the Meuse-Argonne Offensive of World War I.  The immense array of headstones rises in rectangular rows upwards beyond a wide central pool to the chapel which crowns a ridge.  A beautiful bronze screen separates the chapel foyer from the interior, which is decorated with stained glass windows portraying American unit insignia.  Behind the altar are the flags of the Allied nations.

MEXICO CITY NATIONAL CEMETERY

The Mexico City National Cemetery is located at 31 Virginia Fabregas, Colonia San Rafael, Mexico City, Mexico. The cemetery was established in 1851 by Congress to gather the American Dead of the Mexican War that lay in the nearby fields and to provide burial space for Americans that died in the vicinity.  A total of 750 unknown American soldiers were gathered and buried in a common grave at the cemetery.  A small monument was placed over them that carries the inscription:

NETHERLANDS AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial is the only cemetery in the Netherlands. Here rest 8,301 American Dead, most of whom lost their lives nearby. Their headstones are set in long curves.  A wide tree-lined mall leads to the flag staff which crowns the crest. The walls on either side of the Court of Honor contain the Tablets of the Missing on which are recorded the names of 1,723 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves.

NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is situated on a cliff overlooking Omaha Beach and the English Channel in Colleville-sur Mer, France.  The cemetery is at the north end of its one half mile access road and covers one hundred and seventy-two acres.  It contains the graves of 9,387 American military Dead, most of whom gave their lives during the landings and ensuing operations of World War II. On the walls of the semicircular garden on the east side of the memorial are inscribed the names of 1,557 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country, but whose remains were not located or identified. 

NORTH AFRICA AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial is located in close proximity to the site of the ancient city of Carthage, Tunisia which was destroyed by the Romans in 146 B.C. At this cemetery, twenty-seven acres in extent, rest 2,841 American military Dead. Their headstones are set in straight lines and subdivided into nine rectangular plots by wide paths with decorative pools at their intersections.  Along the southeast edge of the burial area is a long Wall of the Missing with its sculptured figures and bordering tree lined terrace leading to the memorial.  On this wall are engraved the names of 3,724 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country in military activities ranging from North Africa to the Persian Gulf during World War II.

OISE-AISNE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War I Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial lies one and a half miles east of Fere-en-Tardenois (Aisne), France and about fourteen miles northeast of Chateau-Thierry. At this cemetery site of thirty-six acres, beneath the broad lawn surrounded by stately trees and shrubbery, rest 6,012 Americans who died while fighting in this vicinity during World War I.  Their headstones are aligned in long rows and rise in a gentle slope from the entrance at the far end.  The burial area is divided into four plots by wide paths lined by trees and beds or roses.  At the intersection of the paths is a circular plaza and flagpole.

RHONE AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial is located in the city of Draguignan (Var), France about twenty miles west of Cannes and sixteen miles inland from the Mediterranean Sea. Draguignan was selected for the cemetery site for its historic location along the route of the U.S. Seventh Army's drive up the Rhone Valley. It was established on August 19, 1944 after the Seventh Army's surprise landing in southern France. Within this cemetery, twelve acres in extent and located at the foot of a hill clad with characteristic cypresses, olive trees and oleanders of southern France, rest 861 American military Dead.  Their headstones are arranged in straight lines and divided into four plots grouped about an oval pool.   On the retaining wall of the terrace are inscribed the names of 294 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country and who rest in unknown graves.

SICILY-ROME AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War II Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial is situated at the north edge of the town of Nettuno, Italy.  It is just east of Anzio and thirty miles south of Rome. The cemetery site covers seventy-seven acres, rising in a gentle slope from a large pool with an island and cenotaph flanked by groups of cypress trees.  Beyond the pool is an immense field of headstones of 7,861 American military Dead arranged in gentle arcs which sweep across the broad green lawns beneath rows of Roman pines.  Many of the Dead interred or commemorated here lost their lives in the liberation of Sicily ( July 10 to August 17, 1943); in the landings in the Sabeno Area (September 9, 1943) and in the heavy fighting northward; in the landings at Anzio Beach and expansion of the beachhead (January 22, 1944 to May 1944) and in air and naval support in the regions. On the white marble walls of the chapel are engraved the names of 3,095 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country and whose remains were never recovered or identified. 

SOMME AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War I Somme American Cemetery is located one-half mile southwest of the village of Bony (Aisne), France. This fourteen-acre cemetery, sited on a gentle slope typical of the open, rolling Picardy countryside contains the graves of 1,844 American military Dead.   Most lost their lives while serving in American units attached to British Armies or in the operations near Cantigny during World War I.   The headstones, set in regular rows, are separated into four plots by paths which intersect at the flagpole near the top of the slope.   The longer axis leads to the chapel at the eastern end of the cemetery.The walls bear the names of 333 heroic American Missing in Action who gave their lives in the service of their Country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified.   There are three Medal of Honor recipients interred at the cemetery.

ST. MIHIEL AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War I St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial is located at the west edge of Thiaucourt, France. This cemetery, forty acres in extent, contains the graves of 4,153 American military Dead from World War I.  Most of these gave their lives in the great offensive which resulted in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient that threatened Paris.  The headstones are aligned in long rows and divided into four plots by tree lined walks.  At the center of these walks is a large sundial surmounted by an American eagle.  To the right (west) end of the walk is a small monument and to the left is a semicircular overlook. On the end walls of the museum are recorded the names of 284 American Missing who gave their lives in the service of their country and whose remains were never recovered or identified.

SURESNES AMERICAN CEMETERY AND MEMORIAL

The World War I Suresnes American Cemetery and Memorial is located in the suburb of Suresnes five miles west of the center of Paris. This cemetery, seven and a half acres in extent, contains the graves of 1,541 American military Dead from World War I and twenty-four graves of American Unknown Dead from World War II.  Bronze tablets on the walls of the chapel record the names of 974 American Missing or buried or lost at sea in 1917 and 1918.

"DISCLAIMER"

This is a personal web site that is not sponsored and/or does not claim to be the official pages of the organizations listed on this site.  This is a free site for information purposes only and is to list contacts and events.